Part 16 (2/2)
”No, not positively. His Excellency likes surprises.”
”Here come some other telegrams!”
The messages were for the Alcalde, the alferez, and the gobernadorcillo, and announced the same thing to each of them. The friars noticed that none came addressed to the curate.
”His Excellency will arrive at four o'clock this afternoon, gentlemen,”
said the Alcalde solemnly. ”We can finish at our leisure.”
Leonidas, in the pa.s.s of Thermopylae, could not have said with better grace ”To-night we will dine with Pluto.”
”I notice the absence of our great preacher,” said one of the government employees timidly. The speaker had an inoffensive look and before this had not opened his mouth, except to eat, during the entire morning.
All who knew the life of Crisostomo's father twitched their eyes significantly and seemed to say by their movements: ”Go on! It's a bad beginning that you have made!” But others, more benevolently disposed, replied: ”He must be somewhat fatigued.”
”What? Somewhat fatigued!” exclaimed the alferez. ”Why, he must be exhausted. What did you think of the sermon this morning?”
”Superb, gigantic!” said the Notary.
”To be able to speak like Father Damaso, a man needs lungs,” observed Father Manuel Martin.
The Augustine did not concede more than lung power.
”And such easiness of expression,” added Father Salvi.
”Do you know that Senor Ibarra has the best cook in the province,”
remarked the Alcalde, cutting off the conversation.
”So they say,” replied one of the Government employees, ”but his fair neighbor does not wish to do honor to his table, for she scarcely takes a mouthful.”
Maria Clara blushed.
”I thank you, Senor.... You occupy yourself too much about me ... but ...” she said timidly.
”But your presence honors him sufficiently,” concluded the gallant Alcalde. Then turning to Father Salvi: ”Father Curate, I notice that you have been silent and pensive all day long.”
”It is my nature,” muttered the Franciscan. ”I would rather listen than talk.”
”Your Reverence seeks always to gain and never to lose,” replied the alferez, in a joking manner.
But Father Salvi did not take it as a joke. His eyes flashed a moment and he replied: ”You know very well, Senor Alferez, that, during these days, I am not the one who gains most!”
The alferez overlooked the fling with a false laugh and pretended not to hear it.
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