One day Don Calixto went to see the Pope, in evening clothes and with his abdomen covered with decorations, and he asked Cæsar if a photographer couldn’t take his picture in the act of leaving the carriage, so that the photograph would have Saint Peter’s as a background.
“Yes, I think so. Why not? The only thing will be that the photographer will charge you more.”
“I don’t mind that. Could you arrange it for me?”
“Yes, man.”
What Don Calixto desired was done.
“How did the Pope impress you?” Cæsar asked him as he came out
“Very favourably, very favourably indeed.”
“He has a stupid face, hasn’t he?”
“No, man, not at all. He is like a nice country priest. His predecessor was no doubt more of a diplomat, more intelligent.”
“Yes, the other seemed more of a rogue,” said Cæsar, laughing at the precautions Don Calixto took in giving his opinion.