The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XLVIII 223
"Don Crisostomo, at last you've come! We've all been waiting for you. Look at the walls, they're already more
than a meter high and within two days they'll be up to the height of a man. I've put in only the strongest and
most durable woods--molave, dungon, ipil, langil--and sent for the finest--tindalo, malatapay, pino, and
narra--for the finishings. Do you want to look at the foundations?"
The workmen saluted Ibarra respectfully, while Ñor Juan made voluble explanations. "Here is the piping that I
have taken the liberty to add," he said. "These subterranean conduits lead to a sort of cesspool, thirty yards
away. It will help fertilize the garden. There was nothing of that in the plan. Does it displease you?"
"Quite the contrary, I approve what you've done and congratulate you. You are a real architect. From whom
did you learn the business?"
"From myself, sir," replied the old man modestly.
"Oh, before I forget about it--tell those who may have scruples, if perhaps there is any one who fears to speak
to me, that I'm no longer excommunicated. The Archbishop invited me to dinner."
"Abá, sir, we don't pay any attention to excommunications! All of us are excommunicated. Padre Damaso
himself is and yet he stays fat."
"How's that?"
"It's true, sir, for a year ago he caned the coadjutor, who is just as much a sacred person as he is. Who pays
any attention to excommunications, sir?"
Among the laborers Ibarra caught sight of Elias, who, as he saluted him along with the others, gave him to
understand by a look that he had something to say to him.
"Ñor Juan," said Ibarra, "will you bring me your list of the laborers?"
Ñor Juan disappeared, and Ibarra approached Elias, who was by himself, lifting a heavy stone into a cart.
"If you can grant me a few hours' conversation, sir, walk down to the shore of the lake this evening and get
into my banka." The youth nodded, and Elias moved away.
Ñor Juan now brought the list, but Ibarra scanned it in vain; the name of Elias did not appear on it!