“Going back and seeing his majesty, and telling him to give us a larger house, of course.”
“Go to Jericho, woman. You don't catch me going on an errand of that kind!”
“Well, go you shall, then; or we'll see who is master here.”
“But, wife, don't you see that my very face would drop from me with shame?”
“Now, that's enough of talk on the matter. All you have to do is, run along to the palace as fast as you can, if you care to have a quiet time of it.”
“Well, well; since you wish it, I'll go.”
Juan, who did not possess an ounce of will of his own—a thing which is the greatest misfortune that can befall a husband who is not blessed with such a wife as God ordained for him—set out once more on his road towards the palace of the emperor.
“Indeed,” said he to himself, with more fear than shame, “it is very possible he will send me down-stairs head foremost, because it is only natural that this abuse of his good-nature will prove too much, even for him. [pg 125] And it will serve me right for my unfortunate weakness of character.”
Juan's fears were not realized. So soon as he sought an audience with his majesty it was granted, and the emperor asked him, with a smiling face:
“How goes it at the little white house?”