Gabriel guessed the privations that his brother underwent, and was anxious to contribute to the expenses of the little household.  But what work could he obtain in his concealment in the Cathedral?  He wished for some post in the service of the church, in order to receive at the beginning of every month a few pesetas from the hands of Silver Stick; but all the posts were occupied, death alone could cause a vacancy, and there were many eager ones watching for the opportunity to urge their family claims.

The impossibility of being useful to his brother, of helping to make his sacrifices less expensive, weighed heavily on Gabriel, and disturbed the otherwise placid monotony of his life.  He inquired of Esteban as to what he could possibly do, not to remain inactive, but his brother always answered with his kindly expression:  “Take care of yourself, only take care of yourself; you have no other duty but to look after your own health, I am here to do all the rest.”

When Holy Week came round Gabriel found an opportunity of getting a few days’ work.  They were going to put up in the Cathedral the famous “Monument” between the choir and the Puerta del Perdon.  It was a heavy and complicated erection, of a sumptuous and rococo style, which had cost the second Cardinal de Bourbon a fortune at the beginning of last century.  A real forest of woodwork formed the basis of the monument; the riches of the cardinal had created a prodigality of solidity and sumptuousness, and several days were required to fit together the Holy Catafalque, and not a few workmen.

Gabriel interviewed Don Antolin asking for a place on the works.  The wages were seven reals a day, which he would be able to give his brother for two weeks; and he, who had been used in former days to have his work so lavishly paid, accepted this small daily wage as a piece of unexpected good fortune.

The “Wooden Staff” was indignant.  Gabriel was ill and ought not to risk his poor health in the fatigues of this work.  What was he going to do, coughing and suffocating every moment?  How was he going to undertake the heavy work of carrying the framework and fixing it together?  The invalid tranquillised him.  He knew what those works were in the church; everything was done with parsimony, but without much regard to time.  The workmen in the service of the church worked with that calm laziness, and that slow prudence which characterised every act of religion.  Besides, Silver Stick, knowing his condition, would reserve the least heavy work for him; he could fix screws and bolts, place the candelabra in line on the steps, and arrange the tapestry; he trusted him as a man of good taste who had seen much in his travels.

Gabriel worked for two weeks on the monument.  This time of relative activity seemed to give him a certain amount of relief.  He moved about, intent on giving orders to his fellow-workers; he went from the church to the top of the Claverias, where the monument was stored, and seeing himself covered with dust, and with his limbs fatigued by the constant coming and going, he deluded himself into thinking he was strong again.