This nocturnal reunion was a continual complaint against social injustice.  They thought themselves even more unfortunate when they took an exact review of their situation.  The shoemaker recalled with tearful eyes the little child who had died of hunger, and spoke of the misery of his offspring, so numerous as to render his work useless.  The organ-blower spoke of his miserable old age, the six reals daily during his life, without any hope of earning more.  The Tato, in the fits of rage of a bullying coxcomb, proposed to behead all the canons in the choir some evening and then to set fire to the Cathedral.  And the bell-ringer, gloomy and scowling, said aloud, following up the course of his thoughts: 

“And below so much wealth that is of no use to anybody—­amassed from pure pride—­thieves! robbers!”

Gabriel returned to pass his days by Sagrario’s side.  His disciples hid themselves daily more carefully in their isolation in the tower.  Don Martin had his mother ill, and could not leave the convent.

Silver Stick felt quite satisfied with Luna seeing him alone, believing that it was he who had alienated his disciples, cutting short in this way his dangerous conversations so as to restore order in the cloister.  One day he addressed him smilingly with a patronising manner.

“You will be rewarded for your good conduct, Gabrielillo, much sooner than you expect.  Did I not say I would look out for something for you in exchange for the help you gave me in showing the treasury?  Well, now you have it.  From next week two pesetas daily will fall into your purse like two suns.  Are you equal to staying all night in the Cathedral?  The older watchman, the one who was a civil guard, is tired of it, and is going home to his own village.  It appears that since his dog died he has taken a dislike to the duties.  The other watchman is very poorly and wants a companion.  Will you undertake it?  If it were winter I should not say anything about it, as you cough too much to spend the night down there; but in summer the Cathedral is the coolest place in Toledo.  What lovely nights!  And by the time bad weather comes on we will have found you some better place.  You are trustworthy, though your head is rather light; but you come of an honoured and well-known family, which is what is wanted.  Do you accept?”

Luna accepted, declaring his intention to Esteban, when the latter objected on account of his weak health.  He would only undertake the watchman’s duties during the summer; besides, two pesetas a day were even more than Wooden Staff earned; the income of the family would be doubled, and it would be a pity to lose such a good opportunity.

That evening Sagrario spoke to her uncle praising the energy which prompted him to undertake any sort of work so as not to be a charge on the family.