The owner said the cask was clean, and that nothing had been added to the wine from which it could have got a flavour of either iron or leather. Nevertheless, these two great wine-tasters held to what they had said. Time went by, the wine was sold, and when they came to clean out the cask, they found in it a small key hanging to a thong of cordovan; see now if one who comes of the same stock has not a right to give his opinion in suchlike cases.” 560

“Therefore, I say,” said he of the Grove, “let us give up going in quest of adventures, and as we have loaves let us not go looking for cakes, 561 but return to our cribs, for God will find us there if it be his will.”

“Until my master reaches Saragossa,” said Sancho, “I’ll remain in his service; after that we’ll see.”