But I will protect you, for I like good sons, I like to see them honor the memory of their fathers.

I loved mine, and, as God lives, I don't know what I would have done in your place!" Then, changing the subject of conversation quickly, he asked, "I'm told that you have just returned from Europe; were you in Madrid ?" "Yes, sir, several months." "Perhaps you heard my family spoken of ?" "Your Excellency had just left when I had the honor of being introduced to your family." "How is it, then, that you came without bringing any recommendations to me ?" "Sir," replied Ibarra with a bow, "because I did not come direct from Spain and because I have heard your Excellency so well spoken of that I thought a letter of recommendation might not only be valueless but even offensive; all Filipinos are recommended to you." A smile played about the old soldier's lips and he replied slowly, as though measuring and weighing his words, "You flatter me by thinking so, and--so it ought to be.

Nevertheless, young man, you must know what burdens weigh upon our shoulders here in the Philippines.

Here we, old soldiers, have to do and to be everything: King, Minister of State, of War, of Justice, of Finance, of Agriculture, and of all the rest.

The worst part of it too is that in every matter we have to consult the distant mother country, which accepts or rejects our proposals according to circumstances there--and at times blindly.