Whileatdinner, thecompanyconsistingofthelandlord, hiswife, theirdaughter, Maritornes, andallthetravellers, theydiscussedthestrangecrazeofDonQuixoteandthemannerinwhichhehadbeenfound; andthelandladytoldthemwhathadtakenplacebetweenhimandthecarrier; andthen, lookingroundtoseeifSanchowasthere, whenshesawhewasnot, shegavethemthewholestoryofhisblanketing, , thelandlordsaid:
"Icannotunderstandhowthatcanbe, forintruthtomymindthereisnobetterreadingintheworld, andIhaveheretwoorthreeofthem, withotherwritingsthataretheverylife, notonlyofmyselfbutofplentymore; forwhenitisharvest-time, thereapersflockhereonholidays, andthereisalwaysoneamongthemwhocanreadandwhotakesuponeofthesebooks, andwegatherroundhim, thirtyormoreofus, , Iamseizedwiththelongingtodothesame, andIwouldliketobehearingaboutthemnightandday."
"AndIjustasmuch," saidthelandlady, "becauseIneverhaveaquietmomentinmyhouseexceptwhenyouarelisteningtosomeonereading; forthenyouaresotakenupthatforthetimebeingyouforgettoscold."
"Thatistrue," saidMaritornes; "and, faith, Irelishhearingthesethingsgreatlytoo, fortheyareverypretty; especiallywhentheydescribesomeladyoranotherinthearmsofherknightundertheorangetrees, andtheduennawhoiskeepingwatchforthemhalfdeadwithenvyandfright; allthisIsayisasgoodashoney."
"Andyou, whatdoyouthink, younglady?" saidthecurateturningtothelandlord'sdaughter.
