He quoted to me sayings of barbarous times just as if it were enough that a thing had been said by the ancients to make it indisputable; according to which we ought to believe that there really existed those monsters which in past ages were imaged and sculptured in the palaces and temples.

Finally, he charged me to be more careful and to return to the old system, otherwise he would make unfavorable report about me to the alcalde of the province.

Nor was this the end of my troubles.

A few days afterward some of the parents of the children presented themselves under the convento and I had to call to my aid all my patience and resignation.

They began by reminding me of former times when teachers had character and taught as their grandfathers had.