s, such as the
'History of the Philippines,' by Father Barranera, and afterward
dictated to the pupils for their note books, adding at times some
of my own observations. As I had no maps to teach them geography,
I copied one of those of the province which I saw in the capital,
and with this reproduction and, by the aid of the tiles on the floor,
I was able to give them some ideas about the country. The new priest
sent for me. Although he did not reprimand me severely, he told me,
however, that my first duty was to teach religion, and that before I
began to teach any such things I must prove by an examination that all
the children knew by heart the 'Mysteries,' the 'Doxology,' and the
'Catechism of the Christian Doctrine.'

"So, in the meantime, I am endeavoring to convert the children into
parrots so that they will know by heart all of these things of which
they do not understand a single word. Many of the pupils already
know the 'Mysteries' and the 'Doxology,' but I fear that I am making
Father Astete's efforts useless, inasmuch as my pupils do not even
distinguish between the questions and the answers, or what either
of them signifies. Thus we shall die and thus shall do those who are
yet to be born; yet in Europe they talk about Progress!"

"Let us not be so pessimistic," replied Ibarra, rising to his
feet. "The teniente mayor has invited me to attend a town meeting to
be held in the tribunal. Who knows but that some plan for improvement
may there be adopted!"

The school teacher arose to go, shaking his head in token of doubt.

CHAPTER X

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.

The people of the town have made their preparation for the festival in
honor of the patron saint, San Diego, and are gossiping about it, and
about the arrival of Maria Clara, accompanied by her aunt Isabel. They
rejoiced over it, because they liked her, and admired her beauty very
much. They also rejoiced in the change it had made in the priest,
Father Salvi. "He is often absent-minded during the holy services,"
they said. "He scarcely speaks with us, and he plainly grows more
thin and taciturn." His cook saw this constantly and complained of the
little honor that he did his dishes. But what most excited the wonder
of the people were the two lights which one could see shining in the
convent during the night, while Father Salvi was visiting at the house
of Maria Clara! The old dames crossed themselves and kept on gossiping.

Juan Crisostomo