–But you would show it to me.
–It's a different matter for you; I'll take you any day you like.
At three in the afternoon I parted from Emigdio, apologising in a thousand ways for not eating with him, and four o'clock would be when I got home.
Chapter XX
My mother and Emma came out into the corridor to meet me. My father had ridden out to visit the works.
Soon after I was called to the dining-room, and I did not delay in going, for there I expected to find Maria; but I was deceived; and as I asked my mother for her, she answered me:
As the gentlemen are coming to-morrow, the girls are busy making some sweets, and I think they have finished them, and will come now.
I was about to get up from the table when José, who was coming up from the valley to the mountain herding two mules loaded with cane-brava, stopped on the high ground overlooking the interior, and shouted at me:
–Good afternoon! I can't get there, because I'm carrying a chúcara, and it's getting dark. I'll leave you a message with the girls. Be very early to-morrow, for the thing is sure to happen.
–Well," I replied, "I'll come very early; say hello to everybody.
–Don't forget the pellets!
And waving his hat at me, he continued up the stairs.
I went to my room to prepare the shotgun, not so much because she needed cleaning as because I was looking for an excuse not to stay in the dining room, where at last Maria did not show up.
I had a box of pistons open in my hand when I saw Maria coming towards me, bringing me the coffee, which she tasted with the spoon before she saw me.
The pistons spilled all over the floor as soon as it came near me.
Without resolving to look at me, she bade me good evening, and placing the saucer and cup on the rail with an unsteady hand, she searched for an instant with cowardly eyes for mine, which made her blush; and then, kneeling down, she began to pick up the pistons.
–Don't do that," I said, "I'll do it later.
–I have a very good eye for small things," he replied; "let's see the little box.
He reached out to meet her, exclaiming at the sight of her:
–Oh, they've all been watered!
–It wasn't full," I observed, helping him.
–And that you need these tomorrow," he said, blowing the dust off the ones he held in the rosy palm of one of his hands.
–Why tomorrow and why these?
–Because, as this hunt is dangerous, I think that to miss a shot would be terrible, and I know from the little box that these are the ones the doctor gave you the other day, saying they were English and very good.....
–You hear everything.
–I would sometimes have given anything not to hear. Perhaps it would be better not to go on this hunt.... José left you a message with us.
–Do you want me not to go?
–And how could I demand that?
–Why not?
He looked at me and did not answer.
–I think there is no more," said he, rising to his feet, and looking at the floor around him; "I am going. The coffee will be cold by this time.
–Try it.
–But don't finish loading that shotgun now..... It's good," he added, touching the cup.
–I'll put the gun away and take it; but don't go away.
I had gone into my room and come out again.
–There's a lot to do in there.
–Oh, yes," I replied, "preparing desserts and galas for tomorrow, so you're leaving?
He made a movement with his shoulders, at the same time tilting his head to one side, which meant: as you wish.
