n any one comes in lest they should tread upon it.

"No," he said slowly, "the fact is I think you spoiled me a bit for
staying at home, mill hours--and that sort of thing. So now I am to be
foreign agent and buyer. I've been taking lessons in the language, and
if you can put any business in my way, I shall be glad."

Rollo took him to the window by the arm.

"Do you see those fellows?" he demanded.

As he spoke he pointed to a detail of the wiry little Valencian
soldiers in their white undress blouses and _bragas_.

"Now, John," he went on, "I can't get stuff here that won't tear the
first time they do the goose-step or even sneeze extra hard. The
contractors are thieves every man Jack. What can you do for me? I have
twenty thousand of these fellows and lots more coming on, down in the
_huertas_ and rice fields!"

"Heavens!" cried John Mortimer, "this is an order indeed. Wait! I will
let you know my best possible in a moment!"

And he pulled out a notebook crammed with figures.

"I can give you very good terms indeed," he said after a moment.

Concha jumped to her feet and clapped her hands.

"Oh," she cried joyously, "and I know Senor de Mendia, the head of the
Customs. And oh, Rollo, you and he can arrange about getting it through,
and all my dress materials as well. It will be quite an addition to our
income, if Don Juan sells you the stuff cheap!"

For an instant Rollo looked a little indignant and then went up to his
wife and kissed her.

"My dear," he said, "you can never understand! We don't do these things
in our country!"

At which John grinned incredulously.

"I have done business in Glasgow," he said suggestively.

"At any rate," said Rollo, nettled, "_I_ don't do them."

Here Concha pouted adorably, and with her slippered toe kicked a
footstool which certainly was not doing her any harm.

"I am sure we are very poor!" she cried. "I wish that wretch Ezquerra,
whom they have made a General of, had given us much more than he did. I
think you should write to him, Rollo!"

"Better keep friends with Ezquerra," laughed the Governor; "you and I
are rich enough, Concha, and baby shall have an ivory ring to cut his
teeth upon. You shall have one new dress a year, and there are always
enough vegetables in the garden with which to toss you up a salad. Oh,
we shall live, spoilt one, we shall live!"

And he kissed her, not heeding the others.

"But why must we keep in with Ezquerra?" said Concha,