_Leno._ When my poor mother died, he that brought me the news, before he told me of it, dragged me round through more turn-abouts than there are windings in the Pisuerga and Zapardiel.[23] [23] Rivers in the North of Spain, often mentioned in Spanish poetry, especially the first of them. _Troico._ But I have got no mother, and never knew one. I don’t comprehend what you mean. _Leno._ Then smell of this napkin. _Troico._ Very well, I have smelt of it. _Leno._ What does it smell of? _Troico._ Something like butter. _Leno._ Then you may truly say, “Here Troy _was_.” _Troico._ What do you mean, Leno? _Leno._ For you it was given to me; for you Madam Timbria sent it, all stuck over with nuts;--but as I have (and Heaven and every body else knows it) a sort of natural relationship to whatever is good, my eyes watched and followed it just as a hawk follows chickens. _Troico._ Followed whom, villain? Timbria? _Leno._ Heaven forbid! But how nicely she sent it, all made up with butter and sugar! _Troico._ And what was that? _Leno._ The pancake, to be sure,--don’t you understand? _Troico._ And who sent a pancake to me? _Leno._ Why, Madam Timbria. _Troico._ Then what became of it? _Leno._ It was consumed. _Troico._ How? _Leno._ By looking at it. _Troico._ Who looked at it? _Leno._ I, by ill-luck. _Troico._ In what fashion? _Leno._ Why, I sat down by the way-side. _Troico._ Well, what next? _Leno._ I took it in my hand. _Troico._ And then? _Leno._ Then I tried how it tasted; and what between taking and leaving all round the edges of it, when I tried to think what had become of it, I found I had no sort of recollection. _Troico._ The upshot is, that you ate it? _Leno._ It is not impossible. _Troico._ In faith, you are a trusty fellow! _Leno._ Indeed! do you think so? Hereafter, if I bring two, I will eat them both, and so be better yet. _Troico._ The business goes on well. _Leno._ And well advised, and at small cost; and to my content. But now, go to; suppose we have a little jest with Timbria. _Troico._ Of what sort? _Leno._ Suppose you make her believe you ate the pancake yourself, and, when she thinks it is true, you and I can laugh at the trick till you split your sides. Can you ask for any thing better? _Troico._ You counsel well. _Leno._ Well, Heaven bless the men that listen to reason! But tell me, Troico, do you think you can carry out the jest with a grave face? _Troico._ I? What have I to laugh about? _Leno._ Why, don’t you think it is a laughing matter to make her believe you ate it, when all the time it was your own good Leno that did it? _Troico._ Wisely said. But now hold your tongue, and go about your business.[24] [24] _Len._ Ah, Troico! estás acá? _Tro._ Sí, hermano: tu no lo ves? _Len._ Mas valiera que no. _Tro._ Porque, Leno? _Len._ Porque no supieras una desgracia, que ha sucedido harto poco ha. _Tro._ Y que ha sido la desgracia? _Len._ Que es hoy? _Tro._ Jueves.