human
Do not thank me, said the other;
gpt
I owe everything to your father. I came here unknown; your father protected me, encouraged my work, furnished the poor children with books. How far away that good time seems!
human
And now?
gpt
Ah! now we get along as best we can.
human
How many pupils have you?
gpt
More than two hundred on the list--in the classes, fifty-five.
human
And how is that?
gpt
It is a long story.
human
Don't think I ask from curiosity, said Ibarra.
gpt
I have thought much about it, and it seems to me better to try to carry out my father's ideas than to weep or to avenge his death. I wish to inspire myself with his spirit. That is why I ask this question.
human
The country will bless your memory, seþor, if you carry out the splendid projects of your father. You wish to know the obstacles I meet? In a word, the plan of instruction is hopeless. The children read, write, learn by heart passages, sometimes whole books, in Castilian, without understanding a single word. Of what use is such a school to the children of our peasants!
gpt
You see the evil, what remedy do you propose?
human
I have none, said the young man;
gpt
And you lost all hope? You have tried nothing since?
human
I was rash enough to try two more experiments, one after our change of curates; but both proved offensive to the same authority. Since then I have done my best to convert the poor babies into parrots.
gpt
Well, I have cheerful news for you, said Ibarra.
human
I am soon to present to the Government a project that will help you out of your difficulties, if it is approved.
gpt
You will see, Seþor Ibarra, that your projects--I've heard something of them--will no more be realized than were mine!