ircumstances there--and at times blindly. As we
Spaniards say, 'He who attempts many things succeeds in none.' Besides,
we generally come here knowing little about the country and leave
it when we begin to get acquainted with it. With you I can be frank,
for it would be useless to try to be otherwise. Even in Spain, where
each department has its own minister, born and reared in the locality,
where there are a press and a public opinion, where the opposition
frankly opens the eyes of the government and keeps it informed,
everything moves along imperfectly and defectively; thus it is a
miracle that here things are not completely topsyturvy in the lack
of these safeguards, and having to live and work under the shadow
of a most powerful opposition. Good intentions are not lacking to
us, the governing powers, but we find ourselves obliged to avail
ourselves of the eyes and arms of others whom ordinarily we do not
know and who perhaps, instead of serving their country, serve only
their own private interests. This is not our fault but the fault
of circumstances--the friars aid us not a little in getting along,
but they are not sufficient. You have aroused my interest and it is
my desire that the imperfections of our present system of government
be of no hindrance to you. I cannot look after everybody nor can
everybody come to me. Can I be of service to you in any way? Have
you no request to make?"

Ibarra reflected a moment before he answered. "Sir, my dearest wish
is the happiness of my country, a happiness which I desire to see
owed to the mother country and to the efforts of my fellow-citizens,
the two united by the eternal bonds of common aspirations and common
interests. What I would request can only be given by the government
after years of unceasing toil and after the introduction of definite
reforms."

His Excellency gazed at him for a few seconds with a searching look,
which Ibarra sustained with naturalness. "You are the first man that
I've talked to in this country!" he finally exclaimed, extending
his hand.

"Your Excellency has seen only those who drag themselves about in the
city; you have not visited the slandered huts of our towns or your
Excellency would have been able to see real men, if to be a man it
is sufficient to have a generous heart and simple customs."

The Captain-General rose and began to walk back and forth in the
room. "Senor Ibarra," he exclaimed, pausing suddenly, and the young man
also r