It was impossible to convince them that there was no harm in the matter.

After long discussion and elaborate explanations, they cheered up somewhat, but insisted that I must go to the house of one of them, the one who had given trouble, to take _pulque_.

We went, three abreast, each one of them taking one of my _brazitos queridos_--"beloved little arms;" as we went, they alternately indulged in admiring exclamations--"Ah, Severo, what a _maestro_! how fine a gentleman! how amiable! Say Manuelito, was there ever such a one." At the house, which was neat and clean, I met the mother and two little ones, who would be left behind in case Severo were forced to go into the army.

Then the _pulque_ was brought in and sampled.

As I was leaving to go to supper, they said, no, I must go to my room; they would accompany me.