l right, all right!" Quiroga finally agreed. "But many people will
be arrested? There'll be a search, eh?"

When Quiroga and Simoun returned to the sala they found there, in
animated conversation, those who had finished their dinner, for the
champagne had loosened their tongues and stirred their brains. They
were talking rather freely.

In a group where there were a number of government clerks, some ladies,
and Don Custodio, the topic was a commission sent to India to make
certain investigations about footwear for the soldiers.

"Who compose it?" asked an elderly lady.

"A colonel, two other officers, and his Excellency's nephew."

"Four?" rejoined a clerk. "What a commission! Suppose they
disagree--are they competent?"

"That's what I asked," replied a clerk. "It's said that one civilian
ought to go, one who has no military prejudices--a shoemaker,
for instance."

"That's right," added an importer of shoes, "but it wouldn't do
to send an Indian or a Chinaman, and the only Peninsular shoemaker
demanded such large fees--"

"But why do they have to make any investigations about
footwear?" inquired the elderly lady. "It isn't for the Peninsular
artillerymen. The Indian soldiers can go barefoot, as they do in
their towns." [38]

"Exactly so, and the treasury would save more," corroborated another
lady, a widow who was not satisfied with her pension.

"But you must remember," remarked another in the group, a friend of
the officers on the commission, "that while it's true they go barefoot
in the towns, it's not the same as moving about under orders in the
service. They can't choose the hour, nor the road, nor rest when
they wish. Remember, madam, that, with the noonday sun overhead and
the earth below baking like an oven, they have to march over sandy
stretches, where there are stones, the sun above and fire below,
bullets in front--"

"It's only a question of getting used to it!"

"Like the donkey that got used to not eating! In our present campaign
the greater part of our losses have been due to wounds on the soles
of the feet. Remember the donkey, madam, remember the donkey!"

"But, my dear sir," retorted the lady, "look how much money is wasted
on shoe-leather. There's enough to pension many widows and orphans
in order to maintain our prestige. Don't smile, for I'm not talking
about myself, and I have my pension, even though a very small one,
insignificant considering the services my husband rendered, but