The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER LIX 273
stingy--she hasn't yet sent us any present and that after we've been in her house. So, when such a grasping and
covetous woman lets go of a little present worth a thousand pesos--"
"But, is it a fact?" inquired the one-armed man.
"Certainly! Most certainly! My cousin's sweetheart, his Excellency's adjutant, told her so. And I'm of the
opinion that it's the very same ring that the older daughter wore on the day of the fiesta. She's always covered
with diamonds."
"A walking show-case!"
"A way of attracting attention, like any other! Instead of buying a fashion plate or paying a dressmaker--"
Giving some pretext, the one-armed man left the gathering. Two hours later, when the world slept, various
residents of Tondo received an invitation through some soldiers. The authorities could not consent to having
certain persons of position and property sleep in such poorly guarded and badly ventilated houses--in Fort
Santiago and other government buildings their sleep would be calmer and more refreshing. Among these
favored persons was included the unfortunate Capitan Tinong.