16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
skins of two flightless grebes, two different
species of ibis, a crested duck and some rails,
together with plants and insects.
Eduardo and his train appeared well after
what little dusk there was in such a latitude
and at such a height. They had to hammer on
the outward gate and bawl a great while before
it opened; and when at last they were
admitted, worried and discontented looks received
them. The building had been a mission
belonging to the Society of Jesus until that order
was suppressed; now it was inhabited by
Capuchins, and the friars, though no doubt
good-hearted, pious men, lacked both the
learning and the dissimulation often attributed
to the Jesuits. 'We did not expect you until tomorrow,'
said the Prior. 'Today is Wednesday,
not Thursday,' said the Sub-Prior. 'There is
nothing to eat,' said a friar in the dim background.
'Juan Morales was to bring up a