Sometimes a question was asked of the wayfarers. Gerald replied,
for his companion's Spanish although fluent was not good enough to pass
as that of a native. He replied to the question as to where they had
received their hurts that they were survivors of the Armada, and
grumbled that it was hard indeed that men who had fought in the
Netherlands and had done their duty to their country should be turned
adrift to starve.
"We have enough to pay for our supper and a night's lodging," he said,
"but where we are going to take our meal tomorrow is more than I can
say, unless we can meet with some charitable people."
"If you take your place by the roadside to-morrow morning," one of the
peasants said, "you may obtain charity from Donna Inez de Ribaldo. She
comes every morning to mass here; and they say she has a kind heart,
which is more than men give her father the marquis the credit of
possessing. We have not many poor round here, for at this time of year
all hands are employed in the vineyards, therefore there is the more
chance of your obtaining a little help.
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