, why should we not take advantage of this condition of ignorance
to change our policy completely, to place it upon a basis solid and
enduring--on the basis of justice, for example, instead of on the basis
of ignorance? There's nothing like being just; that I've always said to
my brethren, but they won't believe me. The Indian idolizes justice,
like every race in its youth; he asks for punishment when he has
done wrong, just as he is exasperated when he has not deserved it. Is
theirs a just desire? Then grant it! Let's give them all the schools
they want, until they are tired of them. Youth is lazy, and what urges
them to activity is our opposition. Our bond of prestige, Padre Sibyla,
is about worn out, so let's prepare another, the bond of gratitude,
for example. Let's not be fools, let's do as the crafty Jesuits--"

"Padre Fernandez!" Anything could be tolerated by Padre Sibyla except
to propose the Jesuits to him as a model. Pale and trembling, he
broke out into bitter recrimination. "A Franciscan first! Anything
before a Jesuit!" He was beside himself.

"Oh, oh!"

"Eh, Padre--"

A general discussion broke out, regardless of the Captain-General. All
talked at once, they yelled, they misunderstood and contradicted
one another. Ben-Zayb and Padre Camorra shook their fists in each
other's faces, one talking of simpletons and the other of ink-slingers,
Padre Sibyla kept harping on the _Capitulum_, and Padre Fernandez on
the _Summa_ of St. Thomas, until the curate of Los Banos entered to
announce that breakfast was served.

His Excellency arose and so ended the discussion. "Well, gentlemen,"
he said, "we've worked like niggers and yet we're on a vacation. Some
one has said that grave matters should he considered at dessert. I'm
entirely of that opinion."

"We might get indigestion," remarked the secretary, alluding to the
heat of the discussion.

"Then we'll lay it aside until tomorrow."

As they rose the high official whispered to the General, "Your
Excellency, the daughter of Cabesang Tales has been here again begging
for the release of her sick grandfather, who was arrested in place
of her father."

His Excellency looked at him with an expression of impatience and
rubbed his hand across his broad forehead. "_Carambas_! Can't one be
left to eat his breakfast in peace?"

"This is the third day she has come. She's a poor girl--"

"Oh, the devil!" exclaimed Padre Camorra. "I've just thought of it. I
have som