Palomino says that March had gone out one day, leaving neither meat nor
money in the house, and was absent till past midnight, when he returned
with a few fish, which he insisted on having instantly dressed for
supper. His wife said there was no oil; and Juan Conchillos, one of his
pupils, being ordered to get some, objected that all the shops were shut
up. "Then take linseed oil," cried the impetuous March, "for, _por
Dios_, I will have these fish presently fried." The mess was therefore
served with this unwonted sauce, but was no sooner tasted than it began
to act as a vigorous emetic upon the whole party, "for indeed," gravely
writes Palomino, "linseed oil, at all times of a villainous flavor, when
hot is the very devil." Without more ado, the master of the feast threw
fish and frying-pan out of the window; and Conchillos, knowing his
humor, flung the earthen chafing-dish and charcoal after them. March was
delighted with this sally, and embracing the youth, he lifted him from
the floor, putting him in bodily fear, as he after wards told Palomino,
that he was about to follow the coal and viands into the street. As for
the poor weary wife, she thought of her crockery, and remarking in a
matter of-fact way, "What shall we have for supper now?" went to bed;
whither her husband, pleased with the frolic of spoiling his meal and
breaking the dishes, seems to have followed her in a more complacent
mood than common.