[37] and there might well be applied to him that translation,
according to some people incorrect, from the Greek, "Glory to God
in the highest and peace to men of good-will on earth!" even though
we shall see further along that it is not sufficient for men to have
good-will in order to live in peace.

The irreverent considered him a fool, the poor regarded him
as a heartless and cruel exploiter of misery and want, and his
inferiors saw in him a despot and a tyrant. As to the women, ah,
the women! Accusing rumors buzzed through the wretched nipa huts,
and it was said that wails and sobs might be heard mingled with the
weak cries of an infant. More than one young woman was pointed out by
her neighbors with the finger of scorn: she had a downcast glance and
a faded cheek. But such things never robbed him of sleep nor did any
maiden disturb his peace. It was an old woman who made him suffer,
an old woman who was his rival in piety and who had gained from many
curates such enthusiastic praises and eulogies as he in his best days
had never received.

Between Capitan Tiago and this widow, who had inherited from brothers
and cousins, there existed a holy rivalry which redounded to the
benefit of the Church as the competition among the Pampanga steamers
then redounded to the benefit of the public. Did Capitan Tiago present
to some Virgin a silver wand ornamented with emeralds and topazes? At
once Dona Patrocinio had ordered another of gold set with diamonds! If
at the time of the Naval procession [38] Capitan Tiago erected an
arch with two facades, covered with ruffled cloth and decorated with
mirrors, glass globes, and chandeliers, then Dona Patrocinio would
have another with four facades, six feet higher, and more gorgeous
hangings. Then he would fall back on his reserves, his strong point,
his specialty--masses with bombs and fireworks; whereat Dona Patrocinia
could only gnaw at her lips with her toothless gums, because, being
exceedingly nervous, she could not endure the chiming of the bells and
still less the explosions of the bombs. While he smiled in triumph,
she would plan her revenge and pay the money of others to secure the
best orators of the five Orders in Manila, the most famous preachers
of the Cathedral, and even the Paulists, [39] to preach on the holy
days upon profound theological subjects to the sinners who understood
only the vernacular of the mariners. The partizans of Capitan Tiago
would observe that sh