Damian.  Coffee  and  toast.''  [Laughing]  Diablo,  Don
Rosendo !    What  ever  put  such  an  idea  in  your  head  ?

Rosendo.  Man  !  One  must  eat.  After  dressing  the  win-
dow since  six  o'clock  in  the  morning.  . ..
Damian.  Busy  times  for  us  all,  Don  Rosendo.  Do  you
open  to-day?

Rosendo.  Only  the  window;  this  is  a  holiday.
Damian.  Yes,  but  in  the  middle  of  the  feria!  You  will
lose  money.
123


124  THE  GOVERNOR'S  WIFE  act  i

RosENDO.  What  of  it?  I  cannot  afford  to  offend  the
ladies.  They  have  formed  a  society  inider  the  patronage  of
the  bishop — you  know  the  bishop  has  always  been  very  par-
tial to  me  ?

Damian.  I  know,  sir.  [Calling]  Coffee  and  toast !  Well,
every  man  to  his  taste.  Excuse  me,  a  lady —  [To  a  young
woman  who  is  passing]  Won't  you  have  something  ? .  .  .  .  Oh !
I  see.  A  full  basket .''....  Guests,  eh .''...  .  Of  course  ! .  .  ..
Well,  if  you  won't. .  .  .  [Returning  to  Don  Rosendo]
Don  Baldomero's  housekeeper.  A  fine  girl !  They  say  she's
the  real  mistress  of  the  house;  a  mountaineer  from  Villa-
quejido — yes,  sir.  Don  Baldomero  has  an  eye  for  the  ladies.
If  she  is  number  one,  number  two  for  Dona  O,  although
they  tell  me  she  was  beautiful  once,  yes  she  w-as !  But
time  flies.  That  girl  and  Don  Baldomero — would  you  be-
lieve it.' — just  between  us,  don't  say  a  word — she  poisons  her
mistress's  life.  Yes,  sir !  What  do  you  think  of  that .''  All  I
know  is  she  comes  in  every  morning  to  get  an  ice.
Rosendo.  You  poison  your  ices.
