Part 32 (2/2)
”May I come to-morrow?”
”You know that on my part you are always welcome,” replied she, scarcely able to p.r.o.nounce the words.
Ibarra walked away, apparently tranquil; but a tempest raged in his mind, and his heart was chilled. What he had just seen and felt was incomprehensible. What was it? Doubt, apathy or treason?
”Oh, woman!” he murmured.
He arrived, without noticing it, at the place where the school house was being constructed. The work was well along. nor Juan, with his yard stick and plumb-line, was going to and fro among the numerous workmen. On seeing the young man approach, he ran to meet him.
”Don Crisostomo,” said he, ”you have arrived at last. We were all expecting you. Just see how the walls are rising. They are already a meter and ten centimeters high. Within two days, they will be as high as a man. I have not allowed them to use anything but the best of wood. Do you want to look at the cellar?”
The workmen saluted him respectfully.
”Here is the system of drainage which I have taken the liberty to add,” said nor Juan. ”These underground ca.n.a.ls lead to a cesspool about thirty feet off. It will serve to fertilize the garden. This was not in the plans. Do you object to it?”
”Quite on the contrary, I approve of it and I congratulate you on your idea. You are a true architect. From whom did you learn the profession?”
”From myself, senor,” replied the modest old man.
”O, yes! Before I forget it: let the scrupulous people know (for some may fear to speak to me) that I am no longer excommunicated. The Archbishop invited me to dine with him.”
”Pshaw! senor! We don't take any notice of excommunications. We are all excommunicated. Dather Damaso is himself; however, he goes on, as fat as ever.”
”How's that?”
”I feel sure about it. A year ago he gave the coadjutor a blow with his cane, and the coadjutor is as much a priest as he. Who takes any notice of excommunications, senor?”
Ibarra caught sight of Elias among the workmen. He saluted him like the others, but with a look that gave Ibarra to understand that he wanted to speak with him.
”nor Juan,” said Ibarra, ”will you bring me a list of the workmen?”
nor Juan disappeared and Ibarra approached Elias, who was alone, raising a large stone and loading it in a cart.
”If you are able, senor, to grant me some hours of conversation, come this afternoon to the sh.o.r.e of the lake and embark in my banca, for I want to talk with you about some serious matters,” said Elias. Ibarra gave a nod of a.s.sent and went away.
nor Juan brought the list, but Ibarra read it in vain. The name of Elias was not on it.
CHAPTER x.x.x
THE VOICE OF THE PERSECUTED.
<script>