The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XX 100
will be suitable."
"I'll pay for the theater!" shouted Capitan Basilio enthusiastically.
"If you need cuadrilleros, I'll lend you mine," cried their captain.
"And I--and I--if art old man is needed--" stammered another one, swelling with pride.
"Accepted! Accepted!" cried many voices.
Don Filipo became pale with emotion and his eyes filled with tears.
"He's crying from spite," thought the irreconcilable, so he yelled, "Accepted! Accepted without discussion!"
Thus satisfied with revenge and the complete defeat of his rival, this fellow began to praise the young man's
plan.
The latter continued his speech: "A fifth of the money collected may be used to distribute a few prizes, such as
to the best school child, the best herdsman, farmer, fisherman, and so on. We can arrange for boat races on the
river and lake and for horse races on shore, we can raise greased poles and also have other games in which our
country people can take part. I concede that on account of our long-established customs we must have some
fireworks; wheels and fire castles are very beautiful and entertaining, but I don't believe it necessary to have
bombs, as the former speaker proposed. Two bands of music will afford sufficient merriment and thus we
shall avoid those rivalries and quarrels between the poor musicians who come to gladden our fiesta with their
work and who so often behave like fighting-cocks, afterwards going away poorly paid, underfed, and even
bruised and wounded at times. With the money left over we can begin the erection of a small building for a
schoolhouse, since we can't wait until God Himself comes down and builds one for us, and it is a sad state of
affairs that while we have a fine cockpit our children study almost in the curate's stable. Such are the outlines
of my plan; the details can be worked out by all."
A murmur of pleasure ran through the hall, as nearly every one agreed with the youth.
Some few muttered, "Innovations! Innovations! When we were young--"
"Let's adopt it for the time being and humiliate that fellow," said others, indicating Don Filipo.
When silence was restored all were agreed. There was lacking only the approval of the gobernadorcillo. That
worthy official was perspiring and fidgeting about. He rubbed his hand over his forehead and was at length
able to stammer out in a weak voice: "I also agree, but--ahem!"
Every one in the hall listened in silence.
"But what?" asked Capitan Basilio.
"Very agreeable," repeated the gobernadorcillo, "that is to say--I don't agree--I mean--yes, but--" Here he
rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. "But the curate," the poor fellow went on, "the curate wants
something else."
"Does the curate or do we ourselves pay for this fiesta? Has he given a cuarto for it?" exclaimed a penetrating
voice. All looked toward the place whence these questions came and saw there the Sage Tasio.
Don Filipo remained motionless with his eyes fixed on the gobernadorcillo.