The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER III 34
CHAPTER III
The Dinner
Jele, jele, bago quiere. [27]
Fray Sibyla seemed to be very content as he moved along tranquilly with the look of disdain no longer playing
about his thin, refined lips. He even condescended to speak to the lame doctor, De Espadaña, who answered in
monosyllables only, as he was somewhat of a stutterer. The Franciscan was in a frightful humor, kicking at
the chairs and even elbowing a cadet out of his way. The lieutenant was grave while the others talked
vivaciously, praising the magnificence of the table. Doña Victorina, however, was just turning up her nose in
disdain when she suddenly became as furious as a trampled serpent--the lieutenant had stepped on the train of
her gown.
"Haven't you any eyes?" she demanded.
"Yes, señora, two better than yours, but the fact is that I was admiring your frizzes," retorted the rather
ungallant soldier as he moved away from her.
As if from instinct the two friars both started toward the head of the table, perhaps from habit, and then, as
might have been expected, the same thing happened that occurs with the competitors for a university position,
who openly exalt the qualifications and superiority of their opponents, later giving to understand that just the
contrary was meant, and who murmur and grumble when they do not receive the appointment.
"For you, Fray Damaso."
"For you, Fray Sibyla."
"An older friend of the family--confessor of the deceased lady--age, dignity, and authority--"
"Not so very old, either! On the other hand, you are the curate of the district," replied Fray Damaso sourly,
without taking his hand from the back of the chair.
"Since you command it, I obey," concluded Fray Sibyla, disposing himself to take the seat.
"I don't command it!" protested the Franciscan. "I don't command it!"
Fray Sibyla was about to seat himself without paying any more attention to these protests when his eyes
happened to encounter those of the lieutenant. According to clerical opinion in the Philippines, the highest
secular official is inferior to a friar-cook: cedant arma togae, said Cicero in the Senate--cedant arma cottae,
say the friars in the Philippines. [28]
But Fray Sibyla was a well-bred person, so he said, "Lieutenant, here we are in the world and not in the
church. The seat of honor belongs to you." To judge from the tone of his voice, however, even in the world it
really did belong to him, and the lieutenant, either to keep out of trouble or to avoid sitting between two friars,
curtly declined.
None of the claimants had given a thought to their host. Ibarra noticed him watching the scene with a smile of
satisfaction.
"How's this, Don Santiago, aren't you going to sit down with us?"