Cæsar introduced himself, and explained in a few words who he was and what he proposed.
Father Miró, without asking him to sit down, answered rapidly, saying that he had no acquaintance with matters of finance or speculation.
Cæsar felt a shudder of anger at the rudeness with which he was treated by this draggled little priest, and felt a vehement desire to take him by the neck and twist it, like a chicken’s.
Despite his anger, he did not change expression, and he asked the priest smilingly if he knew who could give him advice about those questions.
“You can see Father Ferrer at the Gregorian University, or Father Mendia. He is an encyclopedist. It was he who wrote the theological portion of the encyclical Pascendi, the one about Modernism. He is a man of very great learning.”
“He will do. Many thanks,” and Cæsar turned toward the door.
“Excuse me for not having asked you to sit down, but...”
“No matter,” Cæsar replied, rapidly, and he went out to the stairs.
In view of the poor result of his efforts, he decided to go to the Gregorian University. He was told it was in the Via del Seminario, and supposed it must be the large edifice with little windowed bridges over two streets.
That edifice was the Collegio Romano; the Gregorian University was in the same street, but further on, opposite the Post Office Department. Father Ferrer could not receive him, because he was holding a class; and after they had gone up and come down and taken Cæsar’s card for Father Mendia, they told him he was out.