as I had been taught to fetch and carry, I
took it up, and went after them, resolved to put it into their own
hands. It turned out exactly as I desired; for my masters seeing me
coming with the note-book in my mouth, which I held cleverly by its
string, sent a page to take it from me; but I would not let him, nor
quitted it till I entered the hall with it, at which all the students
fell a laughing. Going up to the elder of my masters, I put it into his
hands, with all the obsequiousness I could, and went and seated myself
on my haunches at the door of the hall, with my eyes fixed on the master
who was lecturing in the chair. There is some strange charm in virtue;
for though I know little or nothing about it, I at once took delight in
seeing the loving care and industry with which the reverend fathers
taught those youths, shaping their tender minds aright, and guiding them
in the path of virtue, which they demonstrated to them along with
letters. I observed how they reproved them with suavity, chastised them
with mercy, animated them with examples, incited them with rewards, and
indulged them with prudence; and how they set before them the
loathsomeness of vice and the beauty of virtue, so that abhorring the
one and loving the other, they might achieve the end for which they were
created.

_Scip._ You say very well, Berganza; for I have heard tell of this holy
fraternity, that for worldly wisdom there are none equal to them; and
that as guides and leaders on the road to heaven, few come up to them.
They are mirrors of integrity, catholic doctrine, rare wisdom, and
profound humility, the base on which is erected the whole edifice of
beatitude.

_Berg._ That is every word true. But to return to my story: my masters
were so pleased with my carrying them the note-book, that they would
have me do so every day; and thus I enjoyed the life of a king, or even
better, having nothing to do but to play with the students, with whom I
grew so tame, that they would put their hands in my mouth, and the
smallest of them would ride on my back. They would fling their hats or
caps for me to fetch, and I would put them into their hands with marks
of great delight. They used to give me as much to eat as they could; and
they were fond of seeing, when they gave me nuts or almonds, how I
cracked them like a monkey, let fall the shells, and ate the kernels.
One student, to make proof of my ability, brought me a great quantity of
salad in a bas