ch exactness
that the landlord, who stood watching him, was greatly pleased with his
performance. "I wish to God," he said, "your master would not come, and
that you would make up your mind to stop with me; you would lose nothing
by the change, believe me. The hostler who has just quitted me came here
eight months ago all in tatters, and as lean as a shotten herring, and
now he has two very good suits of clothes, and is as fat as a dormouse;
for you must know, my son, that in this house there are excellent vails
to be got over and above the wages."

"If I should stop," replied Avendano, "I should not stand out much for
the matter of what I should gain, but should be content with very little
for sake of being in this city, which, they tell me, is the best in
Spain."

"At least it is one of the best and most plentiful," said the host. "But
we are in want of another thing, too, and that is a man to fetch water,
for the lad that used to attend to that job has also left me. He was a
smart fellow, and with the help of a famous ass of mine he used to keep
all the tanks overflowing, and make a lake of the house. One of the
reasons why the muleteers like to bring their employers to my house is,
that they always find plenty of water in it for their beasts, instead of
having to drive them down to the river."

Carriazo, who had been listening to this dialogue, and who saw Avendano
already installed in office, thought he would follow his example, well
knowing how much it would gratify him. "Out with the ass, senor host,"
he said; "I'm your man, and will do your work as much to your
satisfaction as my comrade."

"Aye, indeed," said Avendano, "my comrade, Lope Asturiano will fetch
water like a prince, I'll go bail for him."

La Argueello, who had been all the while within earshot, here put in her
word. "And pray, my gentleman," said she to Avendano, "who is to go bail
for you? By my faith, you look to me as if you wanted some one to
answer for you instead of your answering for another."

"Hold your tongue, Argueello," said her master; "don't put yourself
forward where you're not wanted. I'll go bail for them, both of them.
And mind, I tell you, that none of you women meddle or make with the
men-servants, for it is through you they all leave me."

"So these two chaps are engaged, are they?" said another of the
servant-women; "by my soul, if I had to keep them company I would never
trust them with the wine-bag."

"None of your