José María de Pereda

“ He was a lean, dark man, with a large nose, a penetrating eye, his face almost beardless, although he was by no means young; he spoke little, but that to the point; and as to confidence in men, he would have been distrustful even of his own shadow. ”

“ I hope I find you well," began Don Simon, uncovering his head with a grandly sweeping bow, and tendering his right hand to him of the new-plowed land.
"Me? ye-up, I'm well," replied the "Squire," without sign of a movement to take the proffered hand.
"Do you smoke?" the candidate now inquired, feeling for his cigar-case.
"Once in a while, if the tobacco is good for anything." ”