Antonines. Don't fool yourself--the dead remain dead, and might only
is considered right by posterity."

"But, Señor Simoun, such measures might provoke uprisings," objected
Don Custodio, rather uneasy over the turn the affair had taken.

"Uprisings, ha, ha! Did the Egyptian people ever rebel, I wonder? Did
the Jewish prisoners rebel against the pious Titus? Man, I thought
you were better informed in history!"

Clearly Simoun was either very presumptuous or disregarded
conventionalities! To say to Don Custodio's face that he did not know
history! It was enough to make any one lose his temper! So it seemed,
for Don Custodio forgot himself and retorted, "But the fact is that
you're not among Egyptians or Jews!"

"And these people have rebelled more than once," added the Dominican,
somewhat timidly. "In the times when they were forced to transport
heavy timbers for the construction of ships, if it hadn't been for
the clerics--"

"Those times are far away," answered Simoun, with a laugh even drier
than usual. "These islands will never again rebel, no matter how much
work and taxes they have. Haven't you lauded to me, Padre Salvi,"
he added, turning to the Franciscan, "the house and hospital at Los
Baños, where his Excellency is at present?"

Padre Salvi gave a nod and looked up, evading the question.

"Well, didn't you tell me that both buildings were constructed