noon
Señor Ignacio , a master workman , had been compelled through lack of business to abandon the awl and the shoemaker 's stirrup for the nippers and the knife ; creating for destroying ; the fashioning of new boots for the disembowelling of old . The contrast was bitter ; but Señor Ignacio could find consolation in looking across at his neighbour , he of the _ Lion of The Shoemaker 's Art _ , who only at rare intervals would receive an order for some cheap pair of boots . The first morning of work was infinitely boresome to Manuel ; this protracted inactivity became unbearable . At noon a bulky old woman entered the shop with their lunch in a basket . This was Señor Ignacio 's mother . `` And my wife ? '' the cobbler asked her .