The two foreigners paused a moment, stared with an expression of mingled severity and reproof, then immediately continued their promenade.
"He's in a bad humor because you haven't treated him with deference," murmured Senor Laruja into the ear of the rubicund youth.
"What does your Reverence mean?
What's the trouble ?" inquired the Dominican and the lieutenant at the same time, but in different tones.
"That's why so many calamities come! The ruling powers support heretics against the ministers of God!" continued the Franciscan, raising his heavy fists.
"What do you mean ?" again inquired the frowning lieutenant, half rising from his chair.
"What do I mean ?" repeated Fray Damaso, raising his voice and facing the lieutenant.

"I'll tell you what I mean.

I, yes I, mean to say that when a priest throws out of his cemetery the corpse of a heretic, no one, not even the King himself, has any right to interfere and much less to impose any punishment! But a little General--a little General Calamity--" "Padre, his Excellency is the Vice-Regal Patron!" shouted the soldier, rising to his feet.
"Excellency! Vice-Regal Patron! What of that!" retorted the Franciscan, also rising.

"In other times he would have been dragged down a staircase as the religious orders once did with the impious Governor Bustamente.

[22] Those were indeed the days of faith." "I warn you that I can't permit this! His Excellency represents his Majesty the King!" "King or rook! What difference does that make?
For us there is no king other than the legitimate [23]--" "Halt!" shouted the lieutenant in a threatening tone, as if he were commanding his soldiers.