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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER II. AT THE DINNER TABLE. Father Sibyla wore a satisfied air. He moved along tranquilly, and his closed, thin lips showed no signs of disdain. On the other hand, the Franciscan was in a very bad humor. As he walked toward the table, he kicked over the chairs which happened to be in his way and boxed the ears of one of the cadets. The lieutenant was very solemn and grave. The two friars instinctively started for the head of the table, perhaps by force of habit, and, as might have been expected, they met on opposite sides of the same chair. Then, with ponderous courtesy, each entreated the other to sit dowr, giving in turn his reasons why the other should take precedence. Every one at the table understood how both really felt in the matter, and all knew well that the one who did not take the coveted seat would grumble discontentedly for the remainder of the evening. The farce proceeded something like this: You take it, Brother Damaso It is for you No, you take it, Brother Sibyla You are an old friend of the family, the confessor of its deepest mysteries; your age, your dignity, your No, that is all right as far as age goes, but, on the other hand you are the priest of this suburb, answered Father Damaso in an insincere tone, without, however, leaving the chair. As you order it, I obey, concluded Father Sibyla, making ready to sit down. But I do not order it, protested the Franciscan, I do not order it. Father Sibyla was about to take the seat without any further regard to the protests of his brother, when his eyes chanced to meet those of the lieutenant. According to thereligious customs in the Philippines, the highest military officer is inferior to even a convent cook. Cedent arma iogcB, said Cicero in the Senate. Cedent ...