"Ay to Fertile Valley. Any message for your old father?"
"None just now, thank you-except that I will prolong my visit perhaps a little longer."
"Hem! I was told you were introduced to a beautiful girl here?”
"Oh yes---I was. And do you know her?"
"Why not? I know her-for I know all people that attract attention, supposing this seeming man of importance this Governor Ismael; well, I know him well up and down; and this other plutocrat of an Oscar. Just the same thing, I saw him when he was born and ate with his mother when he was baptized by Padre Tolentino and a lot of others-and why not know this Rosa when she is the promising beauty of this town? Do you suppose I am so ignorant of what is taking place in the Province of the Plains?"
"And now what have you to say?"
"Nothing except that hem! I'd better be silent. For when the tongue is closed, there would be no flies entering in."
"Well, are you sincere, Juan?"
"Certainly, my dear boy, I am sincere. I know what I am talking about."
"And you say now that you know this town very well, that I believe, but what is that suspicious air of yours since I was introduced by Camilo to Rosa-have you any objection at all?"
