of you, I thought you might be the one I want. What say you?"

"I thank you heartily, my Father," replied Benito. "I should, indeed, be
happy and proud to do that, if I can prove worthy."

They reached the mission, and there Benito found Diego waiting to
welcome him. After bidding Benito to come and see him in the morning, as
Diego led them away to his own little home, the Father went in, his cat
following. Leaving her in the house, the Father passed on to the church,
where he performed the usual short evening service of the rosario, after
which he returned to his habitation. No sooner was he in the house, than
he was fairly bombarded by a small army of cats, or so it seemed; for
although there were only four, including the one with whom we are
already acquainted, one might have thought, from the noise and confusion
they made, trying to get at their dear master, that there were a dozen
at least.

"Now, my cats, you really must behave yourselves a little better than
this," said the Father, with a tone of sternness, which, however, had
not the slightest effect, since he began at once to pet them, first one
and then another, as they crowded around him. "I know you are hungry,
but that is no excuse for making such a disturbance. Come, we shall have
supper," and with these words he went into his dining-room, the cats
trooping after him.

Father Uria always had his table set with as much variety and luxury as
his meagre salary, and the resources of the mission, allowed. He was not
a hearty eater, nor, as we have said, did he drink largely of wine,
unless he had the support of congenial company, but he insisted on
variety. His vegetable garden was his pride, and the object of extremist