In spite of the great pride this man took in his office, his notions regarding his duties were rather vague.

Being desirous of knowing what was going on among his neighbours, he had no compunction about opening the few letters they got; not that he destroyed them after reading them--he very coolly handed them over opened.

The people did not like this, and considered it rather high-handed on his part; but then, what was there for them to do about it?
He said he had heard that I could cure people.

When a man is called Doctor, the Mexican peasantry expect him to possess comprehensively all useful knowledge in the world.

Looking at me for a moment, this healthy, ruddy-cheeked man suddenly, without saying a word, took hold of my hand and pressed it against his forehead for a little while; then, all the time in silence, he carried it backward until my fingers touched a small excrescence on his back.