n looked inquiringly from Diego to Jose. Without a word she
set the tray on the table and quickly departed.

"H'm, _amigo_, I think it well to visit the Alcalde at once," murmured
Diego. "I regret that I bring the amiable senora no greeting from her
charming daughter. _Ay de mi!_" he sighed, picking up his hat. "The
conventions of this world are so narrow!"

Don Mario exclaimed loudly when he beheld the familiar figure of Padre
Diego. Recovering from his astonishment he broke into a loud guffaw
and clapped the grinning priest heartily upon the back.

"_Caramba_, man! But I admire you at last! I can forgive all your
wickedness at sight of such nerve! Ramona!" calling to his daughter in
the _patio_. "That last _garrafon_ and some glasses! But enter, enter,
senores! Why stand you there? My poor hovel is yours!" stepping aside
and ceremoniously waving them in.

"Our friend finds that his supper awaits him," said Diego, laying a
hand patronizingly upon Jose's arm. "But I will eat with you, my good
Don Mario, and occupy a _petate_ on your floor to-night. _Conque_,
until later, Don Jose," waving a polite dismissal to the latter. "If
not to-night, then in the morning _temprano_."

The audacity of the man nettled Jose. He would have liked to be
present during the interview between the Alcalde and this cunning
religio-political agent, for he knew that the weak-kneed Don Mario
would be putty in his oily hands. However, Diego had shown him that he
was not wanted. And there was nothing to do but nurse his temper and
await events.

But, whatever deplorable results the visit of Diego might entail, he
had at least brought present comfort to Jose in his report of the
militant uprising now in progress, and the latter would sleep this
night without the torment of dread apprehension.

The next morning Diego entered the parish house just as master and
pupil were beginning their day's work.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, "our parochial school is quite discriminating! No?
One pupil! _Bien_, are there not enough children in the town to
warrant a larger school, and with a Sister in charge? I will report
the matter to the good Bishop."

Jose's wrath leaped into flame. "There is a school here, as you know,
_amigo_, with a competent master," he replied with what calmness he
could muster.

It was perhaps a hasty and unfortunate remark, for Jose knew he had
been jealously selfish with Carmen.

"_Caramba_, yes!" retorted Diego. "A private school,