“If you do not put him out of the place, we shall go.”
“I should be very sorry, but I have no authority to remove him.”
The curate repented of his threat, but there was now no remedy. He motioned to his companions, who rose reluctantly, and all went out, not without hostile glances toward Ibarra.
The whisperings and murmurs began again. Several people came up to Crisóstomo and said:
“We are with you; pay no attention to them!”
“To whom?” he asked in astonishment.
“Those who have gone out because you are here; they say you are excommunicated.”
Ibarra, surprised, not knowing what to say, looked about him. Maria’s face was hidden.
“Is it possible? Are we yet in the middle ages?” he began. But he checked himself and said to the girls:
“I must excuse myself; I will be back to go home with you.”