the wonder of Spring calling forth the beauty of Spain, and he
lifted up his head and his heart rejoiced with the anemones, as
hearts at his age do: but Morano clung to his thought.

It was long before Rodriguez' fanciful thoughts came back from
among the flowers, for among those delicate earliest blooms of
Spring his youthful visions felt they were with familiars; so they
tarried, neglecting the dusty road and poor gross Morano. But when
his fancies left the flowers at last and looked again at Morano,
Rodriguez perceived that his servant was all troubled with
thought: so he left Morano in silence for his thought to come to
maturity, for he had formed a liking already for the judgments of
Morano's simple mind.

They walked in silence for the space of an hour, and at last
Morano spoke. It was then noon. "Master," he said, "at this hour
it is the custom of la Garda to enter the Inn of the Dragon and to
dine at the expense of mine host."

"A merry custom," said Rodriguez.

"Master," said Morano, "if they find him in less than his usual
health they will get their dinners for themselves in the larder
and dine and afterwards sleep. But after that; master, after that,
should anything inauspicious have befallen mine host, they will
seek out and ask many questions concerning all travellers, too
many for our liking."

"We are many good miles from the Inn of the Dragon and Knight,"
said Rodriguez.