diced b Jos e S. Arc a, - non

officers to apprehend those who had earlier mauled Fray Damaso to the careshown by Fray Sibyla not to lose a single peso of the Church while losing histwo sacristans. In the officer's words."Your Reverence loses a few pesos and my sergeant is routed out of bed to lookfor them; then Your Reverence loses two sacristans and not a word said. Andyou, Mr. Mayor . . . . You must admit that you . ."Without bothering to continue he broke into a laugh, sinking his spoon into thered meat of a wild papaya.The priest lost his head and blurted out in confusion: "But I'm accountable for themoney!""That's a fine answer, Father, for a shepherd of souls," interrupted the lieutenant,his mouth full. "A fine answer, indeed, for a man of religion!"And the give and take continues, each interlocutor freely accusing theother of neglect of duties.All this took place in the carefree atmosphere of a picnic, outside andaway from the town. And, this is the point. At the end of the day, they allreturn home, "by the light of the torches, huge and crimson in the night . . . .The company scatters, the lights go out, the song dies, the guitars grow silent,as they approach the habitations of men. "Put on your masks: you are againamong your brothers"" Rizal wrote. Why? Was life in the Philippines suchthat only by pretense one could live in the towns? Or, as Simoun says, was thetown the home of the real bandits who are supposed to brothers of oneanother? Was it the town, and not the forests or mountains that spawned thereal dangers to men?DON TIBURCIO'S LAMENESSThere are many other similar significant sentences in the novel, but letwhat we have pointed out suffice. The next literary device used by Rizal isperhaps best exemplified by the sub-plot of Don Tiburcio de Espadatia andhis wife.In chapter 48 of the Noll, Don Tiburcio and Dona Victorina pass in frontof the commanding officer's house. Dona Consolacion, the officer's wife,happens to be at her window, and Dona Victorina, not liking the way shelooks at her, picks up a fight. The officer arrives in time and sides with hiswife. Routed and in desperation, Dona Victorina hysterically screams at her196