I had no idea -- or , of course , I would not have spoken -- but ' -- and here she stopped and fumbled with her apron , as if she was greatly embarrassed . ` As you have said so much you will have to say a little more , ' retorted the old man , a suspicion of what she meant darting across him ; and the woman , nothing loth , answered as before . ` Ah , it was not all for buying or selling that your handsome son has been coming to town every week these many months past . And not by the shortest way , either ! No , it was over the river he rode , and across the hill and past the cottage of Miguel the vine-keeper , whose daughter , they say , is the prettiest girl in the whole country side , though she is too white for my taste , ' and then the landlady paused again , and glanced up at the farmer , to see how he was taking it . She did not learn much . He was looking straight before him , his teeth set . But as she ceased to talk , he said quietly , ` Go on . ' ` There is not much more to tell , ' replied the landlady , for she suddenly remembered that she must prepare supper for the hungry men who always stopped at the inn on market days , before starting for home , ` but one fine morning they both went to the little church on top of the hill , and were married . My cousin is servant to the priest , and she found out about it and told me . But good-day to you , sir ; here is your horse , and I must hurry off to the kitchen . ' It was lucky that the horse was sure-footed and knew the road , for his bridle hung loose on his neck , and his master took no heed of the way he was going . When the farm-house was reached , the man led the animal to the stable , and then went to look for his son . ' I know everything -- you have deceived me . Get out of my sight at once -- I have done with you , ' he stammered , choking with passion as he came up to the young man , who was cutting a stick in front of the door , whistling gaily the while . ` But , father -- ' ` You are no son of mine ; I have only one now . Begone , or it will be the worse for you , ' and as he spoke he lifted up his whip . The young man shrank back . He feared lest his father should fall down in a fit , his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head . But it was no use staying : perhaps next morning the old man might listen to reason , though in his heart the son felt that he would never take back his words .
So he turned slowly away , and walked heavily along a path which ended in a cave XXXXX the side of his hill , and there he sat through the night , thinking of what had happened .
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