the case you have just stated would appear to be the--er--er--
normal condition of the--er--youth of America. But why was he
discharged? (Pouring out liquor.)

Manuela (demurely glancing at the colonel). He was drunk, senor.

Starbottle (potently). Drunkenness, my child, which is--er--
weakness in the--er--er--gentleman, in the subordinate is a crime.
What--er--excites the social impulse and exhilarates the fancy of
the--er--master of the house, in the performance of his duty,
renders the servant unfit for his. Legally it is a breach of
contract. I should give it as my opinion,--for which I am
personally responsible,--that your friend Diego could not recover.
Ged! (Aside.) I wonder if this scapegoat could be our black
sheep.

Manuela. But that was not all, senor. It was an excuse only. He
was sent away for helping our young lady to a cavalier. He was
discharged because he would not be a traitor to her. He was sent
away because he was too good, too honorable,--too-- (Bursts out
crying.)

Starbottle (aside). Oh, the Devil! THIS is no Sandy Morton.
(Coming forward gravely.) I have never yet analyzed the--er--er--
character of the young gentleman I have the honor to assist in
restoring to his family and society; but judging--er--calmly--er--
dispassionately, my knowledge of his own father--from what the old
gentleman must have been in his unregenerate state, and knowing
what he is now in his present reformed Christian condition, I
should say calmly and deliberately that the son must be the most