hose
that have been said do not reach to the belt, let no one here apply them
to himself."

"We are very sure," replied Chiquiznaque, "that such admonitions neither
have been nor will be uttered for our benefit; otherwise, or if it
should be imagined that they were addressed to us, the tambourine is in
hands that would well know how to beat it."

"We also, Sor Chiquiznaque, have our drum of Biscay," retorted
Repolido, "and, in case of need, can make the bells as well as another.
I have already said, that whoever jests in our matters is a liar: and
whoever thinks otherwise, let him follow me; with a palm's length of my
sword I will show him that what is said is said." Having uttered these
words, Repolido turned towards the outer door, and proceeded to leave
the place.

Cariharta had meanwhile been listening to all this, and when she found
that Repolido was departing in anger, she rushed out, screaming, "Hold
him, hold him,--don't let him go, or he will be showing us some more of
his handiwork; can't you see that he is angry? and he is a Judas
Macarelo in the matter of bravery. Come here, Hector of the world and of
my eyes!" With these words, Cariharta threw herself upon the retiring
bravo, and held him with all her force by his cloak. Monipodio lent her
his aid, and between them they contrived to detain him.

Chiquiznaque and Maniferro, undetermined whether to resume the dispute
or not, stood waiting apart to see what Repolido would do, and the
latter perceiving himself to be in the hands of Monipodio and Cariharta,
exclaimed, "Friends should never annoy friends, nor make game of
friends, more especially when they see that friends are vexed."

"There is not a friend here," replied Maniferro, "who has any desire to
vex a friend; and since we are all friends, let us give each other the
hand like friends." "Your worships have all spoken like good friends,"
added Monipodio, "and as such friends should do; now finish by giving
each other your hands like true friends."

All obeyed instantly, whereupon Escalanta, whipping off her cork-soled
clog, began to play upon it as if it had been a tambourine. Gananciosa,
in her turn, caught up a broom, and, scratching the rushes with her
fingers, drew forth a sound which, if not soft or sweet, yet agreed very
well with the beating of the slipper. Monipodio then broke a plate, the
two fragments of which he rattled together in such fashion as to make a
very praiseworthy accompanimen