that the former, as Vice-Rector, was opposed to the project and that
the latter supported it, and his activity was in turn supported by
the Countess.

"What is there, what is there?" asked his Excellency impatiently.

"The petition about sporting arms," replied the secretary with a
stifled yawn.

"Forbidden!"

"Pardon, General," said the high official gravely, "your Excellency
will permit me to invite your attention to the fact that the use of
sporting arms is permitted in all the countries of the world."

The General shrugged his shoulders and remarked dryly, "We are not
imitating any nation in the world."

Between his Excellency and the high official there was always a
difference of opinion, so it was sufficient that the latter offer
any suggestion whatsoever to have the former remain stubborn.

The high official tried another tack. "Sporting arms can harm only
rats and chickens. They'll say--"

"But are we chickens?" interrupted the General, again shrugging his
shoulders. "Am I? I've demonstrated that I'm not."

"But there's another thing," observed the secretary. "Four months ago,
when the possession of arms was prohibited, the foreign importers