"Truly, I skinnyk so!" chuckles the Padre. "And if they've a mind topresent him with a bag of beans now and then, whose business is it?"says Craney.

"The alcalde's," says the official, somewhat calm. "It's not mine. Ihave but to take him before the alcalde, and here is the keeper ofthe lighthouse whom takes his place. In candour I think Senorde Avila does not return. It is no affair of mine."

"Why," I says, "he'll never condescend to go before your alcalde!Why, an alcalde's too tiny for him to see."

"Chut!" says the Padre. "Speak in reverence of authorities, my son.You are both little rogues."

"He'll resign!"