“My two boys quarrelled with each other yesterday,” said Licurgo, “because one of them wanted to join Francisco Acero and the other didn’t.  ‘Easy, boys, easy,’ I said to them; ’all in good time.  Wait; we know how to fight here as well as they do anywhere else.’”

“Last night,” said Uncle Paso Largo, “Roque Pelosmalos told me that the moment Senor Ramos said half a word they would all be ready, with their arms in their hands.  What a pity that the two Burguillos brothers went to work in the fields in Lugarnoble!”

“Go for them you,” said the mistress quickly.  “Senor Lucas, do you provide Uncle Paso Largo with a horse.”

“And if the mistress tells me to do so, and Senor Ramos agrees,” said Frasquito Gonzalez, “I will go to Villahorrenda to see if Robustiano, the forester, and his brother Pedro will also—­”

“I think that is a good idea.  Robustiano will not venture to come to Orbajosa, because he owes me a trifle.  You can tell him that I forgive him the six dollars and a half.  These poor people who sacrifice themselves with so little.  Is it not so, Senor Don Inocencio?”

“Our good Ramos here tells me,” answered the canon, “that his friends are displeased with him for his lukewarmness; but that, as soon as they see that he has decided, they will all put the cartridge-box in their belts.”

“What, have you decided to take to the roads?” said the mistress.  “I have not advised you to do any such thing, and if you do it, it is of your own free-will.  Neither has Senor Don Inocencio said a word to you to that effect.  But if that is your decision, you have no doubt strong reasons for coming to it.  Tell me, Cristobal, will you have some supper?  Will you take something—­speak frankly.”

“As far as my advising Senor Ramos to take the field is concerned,” said Don Inocencio, looking over his spectacles, “Dona Perfecta is quite right.  I, as an ecclesiastic, could advise nothing of the kind.  I know that some priests do so, and even themselves take up arms; but that seems to me improper, very improper, and I for one will not follow their example.  I carry my scrupulosity so far as not to say a word to Senor Ramos about the delicate question of his taking up arms.  I know that Orbajosa desires it; I know that all the inhabitants of this noble city would bless him for it; I know that deeds are going to be done here worthy of being recorded in history; but notwithstanding, let me be allowed to maintain a discreet silence.”

“Very well said,” said Dona Perfecta.  “I don’t approve of ecclesiastics taking any part in such matters.  That is the way an enlightened priest ought to act.  Of course we know that on serious and solemn occasions, as when our country and our faith are in danger, for instance, it is within the province of an ecclesiastic to incite men to the conflict and even to take a part in it.  Since God himself has taken part in celebrated battles, under the form of angels and saints, his ministers may very well do so also.  During the wars against the infidels how many bishops headed the Castilian troops!”