You are so kind-hearted,
cannot you have his poor tired legs taken out in order that he may
also rest properly to-night?"
"Ah, little friend," she returned. "I could not attempt such a thing.
Fernando is a monster of cruelty, and would immediately put out my
eyes without remorse. Poor me, what I have to endure!"--and here she
placed her fat hand on mine.
I drew my hand away somewhat coldly; a born diplomatist could not have
managed the thing better.
"Madam," I said, "you are amusing yourself at my expense. When you
have done me a great favour, will you now deny me this small thing?
If your husband is so terrible a despot, surely you can do this without
letting him know! Let me get my poor Marcos out of the stocks and I
give you my word of honour that the Juez will never hear of it, for
I will be up early to turn the key in the lock before he is out of his
bed."
"And what will my reward be?" she asked, again putting her hand on
mine.
"The deep gratitude and devotion of my heart," I returned, this time
without withdrawing my hand.
"Can I refuse anything to my sweet boy?" said she. "After supper I
shall slip the key into your hand; I am going now to get it from his
room. Before Fernando retires, ask to see your Marcos, to take him a
rug, or some tobacco or something; and do not let the servant see what
you do, for he will be at the door waiting to lock it when you come
out.
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