Except for a few superfluities and some childish things, he was filled with admiration for the methods there used and with gratitude for the zeal of the instructors.

His eyes at times filled with tears when he thought of the four previous years during which, from lack of means, he had been unable to study at that center.

He had to make extraordinary efforts to get himself to the level of those who had had a good preparatory course, and it might be said that in that one year he learned the whole five of the secondary curricula.

He received his bachelor's degree, to the great satisfaction of his instructors, who in the examinations showed themselves to be proud of him before the Dominican examiners sent there to inspect the school.

One of these, as if to dampen such great enthusiasm a little, asked him where he had studied the first years of Latin.
"In San Juan de Letran, Padre," answered Basilio.
"Aha! Of course! He's not bad,--in Latin," the Dominican then remarked with a slight smile.
From choice and temperament he selected the course in medicine.