The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
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CHAPTER XXXIV 164<br />
gathering flowers and singing songs, today I wield the rod of justice and serve Humanity, tomorrow--"<br />
"Tomorrow your Honor will throw the rod into the fire to warm yourself <strong>by</strong> it in the winter of life, and take an<br />
appointment in the cabinet," added Padre Si<strong>by</strong>la.<br />
"Pshaw! Yes--no--to be a cabinet official isn't exactly my beau-ideal: any upstart may become one. A villa in<br />
the North in which to spend the summer, a mansion in Madrid, and some property in Andalusia for the<br />
winter--there we shall live remembering our beloved Philippines. Of me Voltaire would not say, 'We have<br />
lived among these people only to enrich ourselves and to calumniate them.'"<br />
<strong>The</strong> alcalde quoted this in French, so the employees, thinking that his Honor had cracked a joke, began to<br />
laugh in appreciation of it. Some of the friars did likewise, since they did not know that the Voltaire<br />
mentioned was the same Voltaire whom they had so often cursed and consigned to hell. But Padre Si<strong>by</strong>la was<br />
aware of it and became serious from the belief that the alcalde had said something heretical or impious.<br />
In the other kiosk the children were eating under the direction of their teacher. For Filipino children they were<br />
rather noisy, since at the table and in the presence of other persons their sins are generally more of omission<br />
than of commission. Perhaps one who was using the tableware improperly would be corrected <strong>by</strong> his neighbor<br />
and from this there would arise a noisy discussion in which each would have his partisans. Some would say<br />
the spoon, others the knife or the fork, and as no one was considered an authority there would arise the<br />
contention that God is Christ or, more clearly, a dispute of theologians. <strong>The</strong>ir fathers and mothers winked,<br />
made signs, nudged one another, and showed their happiness <strong>by</strong> their smiles.<br />
"Ya!" exclaimed a countrywoman to an old man who was mashing buyo in his kalikut, "in spite of the fact<br />
that my husband is opposed to it, my Andoy shall be a priest. It's true that we're poor, but we'll work, and if<br />
necessary we'll beg alms. <strong>The</strong>re are not lacking those who will give money so that the poor may take holy<br />
orders. Does not Brother Mateo, a man who does not lie, say that Pope Sextus was a herder of carabaos in<br />
Batangas? Well then, look at my Andoy, see if he hasn't already the face of a St. Vincent!" <strong>The</strong> good mother<br />
watered at the mouth to see her son take hold of a fork with both hands.<br />
"God help us!" added the old man, rolling his quid of buyo. "If Andoy gets to be Pope we'll go to Rome he,<br />
he! I can still walk well, and if I die--he, he!"<br />
"Don't worry, granddad! Andoy won't forget that you taught him how to weave baskets."<br />
"You're right, Petra. I also believe that your son will be great, at least a patriarch. I have never seen any one<br />
who learned the business in a shorter time. Yes, he'll remember me when as Pope or bishop he entertains<br />
himself in making baskets for his cook. He'll then say masses for my soul--he, he!" With this hope the good<br />
old man again filled his kalikut with buyo.<br />
"If God hears my prayers and my hopes are fulfilled, I'll say to Andoy, 'Son, take away all our sins and send<br />
us to Heaven!' <strong>The</strong>n we shan't need to pray and fast and buy indulgences. One whose son is a blessed Pope<br />
can commit sins!"<br />
"Send him to my house tomorrow, Petra," cried the old man enthusiastically, "and I'll teach him to weave the<br />
nito!"<br />
"Huh! Get out! What are you dreaming about, grand-dad? Do you still think that the Popes even move their<br />
hands? <strong>The</strong> curate, being nothing more than a curate, only works in the mass--when he turns around! <strong>The</strong><br />
Archbishop doesn't even turn around, for he says mass sitting down. So the Pope--the Pope says it in bed with<br />
a fan! What are you thinking about?"