ccording to the religious customs in the Philippines, the
highest military officer is inferior to even a convent cook. "Cedent
arma togae," said Cicero in the Senate. "Cedent arma cottae," say the
friars in the Philippines. Father Sibyla, however, was a person of
some culture and refinement, and, as soon as he noticed the expression
on the lieutenant's face, said: "Here! We are now out in the world,
and not in the Church. This seat belongs to you, lieutenant!" But,
to judge from the tone of his voice, he thought that, although he
was out in the world and not in the Church, the seat nevertheless
belonged to him. The lieutenant, either to save himself trouble or
in order to avoid sitting between two friars, declined the honor in
a very few words.

Neither of the disputants had thought of the owner of the house. Ibarra
saw him looking upon the scene and smiling with satisfaction.

"How is this, Don Santiago! Aren't you going to sit down with us?"

But all of the seats were already occupied, and Lucullus did not dine
in the house of Lucullus.

"Sit still! Don't get up!" said Captain Tiago, laying his hand on
the young man's shoulder. "The fact is that this feast is given in
honor of the Virgin on account of your safe arrival. Here! Bring on
the tinola! I ordered some tinola made expressly for you, for I feel
quite certain that you have not had any since you left the Philippines
a long while ago."

A large dish was brought in, still steaming and filled to the brim
with tinola. The Dominican, after murmuring the Benedicite (to which
only a few of those present could give the response), began to serve
the contents of the dish. Either from carelessness or for some other
reason, he passed to Father Damaso a plate filled with the soup and
stew, but containing only two small pieces of chicken, a bony neck and
a tough wing. Meanwhile the others, especially Ibarra, were eating all
sorts of choice bits. The Franciscan, of course, noticed this, mussed
over the stew, took a mouthful of the soup, dropped his spoon with a
clatter into his plate, and pushed the dish to one side. While this was
going on, the Dominican appeared to be absorbed in conversation with
the young blonde. Senor Laruja had also begun to converse with Ibarra.

"How long has it been since you were last in this country?" said he.

"About seven years," responded Ibarra.

"You must have forgotten all about it."

"On the contrary, although my country seems to ha