"Make no delay," she said from the door; "the dining-room too is down
stairs--in the centre of this hall."

Uncle Licurgo came in with the luggage. Pepe rewarded him with a
liberality to which the countryman was not accustomed, and the latter,
after humbly thanking the engineer, raised his hand to his head with a
hesitating movement, and in an embarrassed tone, and mumbling his words,
he said hesitatingly:

"When will it be most convenient for me to speak to Senor Don Jose about
a--a little matter of business?"

"A little matter of business? At once," responded Pepe, opening one of
his trunks.

"This is not a suitable time," said the countryman. "When Senor Don Jose
has rested it will be time enough. There are more days than sausages,
as the saying is; and after one day comes another. Rest now, Senor
Don Jose. Whenever you want to take a ride--the nag is not bad.
Well, good-day, Senor Don Jose. I am much obliged to you. Ah! I had
forgotten," he added, returning a few moments later. "If you have any
message for the municipal judge--I am going now to speak to him about
our little affair."

"Give him my compliments," said Pepe gayly, no better way of getting rid
of the Spartan legislator occurring to him.

"Good-by, then, Senor Don Jose."