The preacher paused and arched his eyebrows, surprised at so great a scandal.

Indignation choked the words in his throat and he was able only to bellow, while he pounded the pulpit with his fists.

This had the desired effect, however, for the old woman, though still grumbling, dropped her clog and, crossing herself repeatedly, fell devoutly upon her knees.
"Aaah! Aaah!" the indignant priest was at last able to roar out as he crossed his arms and shook his head.

"For this do I preach to you the whole morning, savages! Here in the house of God you quarrel and curse, shameless ones! Aaaah! You respect nothing! This is the result of the luxury and the looseness of the age! That's just what I've told you, aah!" Upon this theme he continued to preach for half an hour.

The alcalde snored, and Maria Clara nodded, for the poor child could no longer keep from sleeping, since she had no more paintings or images to study, nor anything else to amuse her.