Clara is upset by the singing, for it is boy who lives across the street from her at home; Don Luis, the son of a nobleman who is only dressed like a muledriver so that he can follow her about. They are in love but not even sixteen and Clara is below him socially. The singing stops and everyone is finally asleep save the innkeeper's daughter and Maritornes and Don Quijote.
The two girls play a prank on Don Quijote. While he is outside babbling sweet nothings about his Dulcinea they call to him from a hole, in the side of the inn, used for throwing out dirty straw. Don Quijote saw it as a grilled castle window and reminded the innkeeper's daughter that he was not available for her amorous intentions; but if there were anything he could do for her besides satisfying her romantic passions he would do so gladly. Maritornes replies that her mistress might feel better if she could just have Don Quijote's hand. Standing upon Rocinante (so that he could reach the hole), he inserts his whole arm in it:
"I do not give it to you so you may kiss it, but rather so you may see how its sinews are structured, its muscles knitted together, the breadth and capacity of its veins, from all of which you should be able to calculate the strength of the arm which has such a hand." Volume 1, Chapter 43, pg. 301
They rope his hand and attach the other end to a door bolt and leave the poor dolt there. Don Quijote, assuming he is under some enchantment again, yells for help -- first for Sancho, then for some magicians, then a witch and finally anyone to come and help him. Four armed men come to the inn and bang on the door; but rather than ask their assistance, he tells them to stop bothering the people sleeping in the castle so early in the morning. Their knocking finally rouses the innkeeper and one of their horses manages to rouse the stone-like Rocinante by sniffing her and of course this requires that she sniff in return as horse etiquette requires. Don Quijote is left hanging from the hole in excruciating pain.
