Don Quixote - Part II - Page 33/129

"I do not understand you, husband," replied Teresa; "do as you like, and

don't break my head with any more speechifying and rethoric; and if you

have revolved to do what you say-"

"Resolved, you should say, woman," said Sancho, "not revolved."

"Don't set yourself to wrangle with me, husband," said Teresa; "I speak

as God pleases, and don't deal in out-of-the-way phrases; and I say if

you are bent upon having a government, take your son Sancho with you, and

teach him from this time on how to hold a government; for sons ought to

inherit and learn the trades of their fathers."

"As soon as I have the government," said Sancho, "I will send for him by

post, and I will send thee money, of which I shall have no lack, for

there is never any want of people to lend it to governors when they have

not got it; and do thou dress him so as to hide what he is and make him

look what he is to be."

"You send the money," said Teresa, "and I'll dress him up for you as fine

as you please."

"Then we are agreed that our daughter is to be a countess," said Sancho.

"The day that I see her a countess," replied Teresa, "it will be the same

to me as if I was burying her; but once more I say do as you please, for

we women are born to this burden of being obedient to our husbands,

though they be dogs;" and with this she began to weep in earnest, as if

she already saw Sanchica dead and buried.

Sancho consoled her by saying that though he must make her a countess, he

would put it off as long as possible. Here their conversation came to an

end, and Sancho went back to see Don Quixote, and make arrangements for

their departure.