They had purchased a greater number of tapers, wherefor the Chinese dealers had reaped a harvest and in gratitude were thinking of being baptized, although some remarked that this was not so much on account of their faith in Catholicism as from a desire to get a wife.

To this the pious women answered, "Even so, the marriage of so many Chinamen at once would be little short of a miracle and their wives would convert them." The people arrayed themselves in their best clothes and dragged out from their strong-boxes all their jewelry.

The sharpers and gamblers all shone in embroidered camisas with large diamond studs, heavy gold chains, and white straw hats.

Only the old Sage went his way as usual in his dark-striped sinamay camisa buttoned up to the neck, loose shoes, and wide gray felt hat.
"You look sadder than ever!" the teniente-mayor accosted him.

"Don't you want us to be happy now and then, since we have so much to weep over ?" "To be happy doesn't mean to act the fool," answered the old man.