I think the effect was purely physical, but in consequence whatever he said seemed inadequate and as if produced by a commonplace, if uneasy, soul.
"Dona Rita brought her down from her mountains on purpose.

She is asleep somewhere in this house, in one of the vacant rooms.

She lets them, you know, at extortionate prices, that is, if people will pay them, for she is easily intimidated.

You see, she has never seen such an enormous town before in her life, nor yet so many strange people.

She has been keeping house for the uncle-priest in some mountain gorge for years and years.
It's extraordinary he should have let her go.