"Did he mention my name to you?"
"Yes, and seemed curious to know what you were doing here. I told him as little as I could of you."
"Right, quite right," replied Don Alfonso, turning back again to the fire.
"You have been several times in the city while I was away," said Marcelino.
"I make it a custom to go every Wednesday to see Doña Josefina," replied Magdalen, bending over her empty tea-cups and arranging them on a small tray.
"To one person you give great pleasure by so doing," said Evaña, in a low voice.
"And that one is myself," said Magdalen. "When are you going out again to your estancia, Don Carlos?"
"Some time next month," replied Evaña. "Are you tired of giving me tea in your English fashion?"
"Not at all, I like trying to civilize you proud Porteños, who suck mate through tubes one after the other, and yet think yourselves the most polished people on the face of the world."