human
Ah! gasped the sick man,
gpt
And what has your reverence decided?
human
To die! Could I do otherwise? I suffer too much, but--I've made others suffer. I'm paying my debt. And you? How are you? What do you bring me?
gpt
I came to talk of the mission you gave me.
human
Ah! and what is there to say?
gpt
They've told us fairy tales, answered Brother Sibyla wearily.
human
Young Ibarra seems a sensible fellow. He is not stupid at all, and thoroughly manly.
gpt
Is it so!
human
Hostilities began yesterday.
gpt
Ah! and how?
human
Besides, he said in conclusion,
gpt
Yes, you are right. He should be ours, body and soul. But if he declare himself our enemy, so much the better!
human
For the good of our sacred order, you understand, he added, breathing with difficulty;
gpt
I prefer attack to the flatteries and adulations of friends; besides, those are bought.
human
Your reverence believes that?
gpt
Remember this well, he went on, catching his breath;
human
But if the Government should listen to our enemies, if it should come to covet what we have amassed--if there should be a man hardy enough----
gpt
Ah! then beware!
human
And too, the sick man continued,
gpt
We shall always have our lands.
human
But every year we raise their price, and force the Indian to buy of others. The people are beginning to murmur. We ought not to increase the burdens we've already laid on their shoulders.
gpt
So your reverence believes that the revenues----
human
Talk no more of money, interrupted the old man with aversion.
gpt
You say the lieutenant threatened Father DÃmaso?
human
Yes, Father, replied Sibyla, half smiling;