In the Wood Early, very early indeed, somewhat differently from his usual custom, Padre Salvi had celebrated mass and cleansed a dozen sinful souls in a few moments.

Then it seemed that the reading of some letters which he had received firmly sealed and waxed caused the worthy curate to lose his appetite, since he allowed his chocolate to become completely cold.
"The padre is getting sick," commented the cook while preparing another cup.

"For days he hasn't eaten; of the six dishes that I set before him on the table he doesn't touch even two." "It's because he sleeps badly," replied the other servant.

"He has nightmares since he changed his bedroom.

His eyes are becoming more sunken all the time and he's getting thinner and yellower day by day." Truly, Padre Salvi was a pitiable sight.