"What kind of time did you have, Penitente?" was his question as he
again slapped him on the shoulder.

"So, so," answered Placido, rather bored. "And you?"

"Well, it was great! Just imagine--the curate of Tiani invited me to
spend the vacation in his town, and I went. Old man, you know Padre
Camorra, I suppose? Well, he's a liberal curate, very jolly, frank,
very frank, one of those like Padre Paco. As there were pretty girls,
we serenaded them all, he with his guitar and songs and I with my
violin. I tell you, old man, we had a great time--there wasn't a
house we didn't try!"

He whispered a few words in Placido's ear and then broke out into
laughter. As the latter exhibited some surprise, he resumed:
"I'll swear to it! They can't help themselves, because with a
governmental order you get rid of the father, husband, or brother,
and then--merry Christmas! However, we did run up against a little
fool, the sweetheart, I believe, of Basilio, you know? Look, what a
fool this Basilio is! To have a sweetheart who doesn't know a word
of Spanish, who hasn't any money, and who has been a servant! She's
as shy as she can be, but pretty. Padre Camorra one night started to
club two fellows who were serenading her and I don't know how it was
he didn't kill them, yet with all that she was just as shy as ever. But
it'll result for her as it does with all the women, all of them!"

Juanito Pelaez laughed with a full mouth, as though he thought this
a glorious thing, while Placido stared at him in disgust.

"Listen, what did the professor explain yesterday?" asked Juanito,