"Quite well, thank you."
"And your mother? the Señora Angustias?"
"Famous, thanks. She is at La Rincona."
"And your sister and the little nephews?"
"In good health, thanks."
"And that ridiculous fellow, your brother-in-law?"
"Well, also. As great a talker as ever."
"And, a little family? Is there no hope?"
"No—not that much——." And he bit his nails in expressive negation.
He then turned his enquiries on the stranger, of whose life, beyond his love for bull-fighting, he was completely ignorant.