“That so?”

“That’s what.”

“Which of the two?”

“La Fea. I wonder who the hero could have been. He deserves a cross of valour.”

The compositor continued to prattle about the misfortune, jesting upon it indifferently.

This did not appear very just to Manuel; after all, she was the man’s sister. But Jesús launched forth with his invectives against the family, declaring that a fellow need not concern himself about his brothers and sisters, his parents, or anybody.

“A fine theory for egotists,” answered Manuel.

“Why, the family is nothing but egotism that favours a few as against humanity,” agreed Jesús.

“Much you care about humanity. As little as for your family,” retorted Manuel.

This topic was the theme of a number of other discussions, in the heat of which they spoke some bitter, mortifying words to each other.