mal
attitude, just as if they had never known how to laugh, while on the
other hand the men talked and laughed, asking six questions to get
half an answer.

"Is the lake calm? Do you think we'll have good weather?" asked
the mothers.

"Don't be alarmed, ladies, I know how to swim well," answered a tall,
thin, emaciated youth.

"We ought to have heard mass first," sighed Aunt Isabel, clasping
her hands.

"There's yet time, ma'am. Albino has been a theological student in
his day and can say it in the boat," remarked another youth, pointing
to the tall, thin one who had first spoken. The latter, who had a
clownish countenance, threw himself into an attitude of contrition,
caricaturing Padre Salvi. Ibarra, though he maintained his serious
demeanor, also joined in the merriment.

When they arrived at the beach, there involuntarily escaped from
the women exclamations of surprise and pleasure at the sight of
two large bankas fastened together and picturesquely adorned with
garlands of flowers, leaves, and ruined cotton of many colors. Little
paper lanterns hung from an improvised canopy amid flowers and
fruits. Comfortable seats with rugs and cushions for the women had
been provided by Ibarra. Even the paddles and oars were decorated,
while in the more profusely decorated banka were a harp, guitars,
accordions, and a trumpet made from a carabao horn. In the other banka
fires burned on the clay _kalanes_ for preparing refreshments of tea,
coffee, and _salabat_.

"In this boat here the women, and in the other there the men," ordered
the mothers upon embarking. "Keep quiet! Don't move about so or we'll
be upset."

"Cross yourself first," advised Aunt Isabel, setting the example.

"Are we to be here all alone?" asked Sinang with a grimace. "Ourselves
alone?" This question was opportunely answered by a pinch from
her mother.

As the boats moved slowly away from the shore, the light of the
lanterns was reflected in the calm waters of the lake, while in the
eastern sky the first tints of dawn were just beginning to appear. A
deep silence reigned over the party after the division established
by the mothers, for the young people seemed to have given themselves
up to meditation.

"Take care," said Albino, the ex-theological student, in a loud tone
to another youth. "Keep your foot tight on the plug under you."

"What?"

"It might come out and let the water in. This banka has a lot of
holes in it."

"Oh, we're going