His only greeting had been to put out his hand for me to kiss, but at this he drew it back and without answering me began to laugh loud and mockingly.

I was very much embarrassed, as the senior sacristan was present.

At the moment I didn't know just what to say, for the curate continued his laughter and I stood staring at him.

Then I began to get impatient and saw that I was about to do something indiscreet, since to be a good Christian and to preserve one's dignity are not incompatible.

I was going to put a question to him when suddenly, passing from ridicule to insult, he said sarcastically, 'So it's _buenos dins, eh?
Buenos dias!_ How nice that you know how to talk Spanish!' Then again he broke out into laughter." Ibarra was unable to repress a smile.
"You smile," continued the schoolmaster, following Ibarra's example, "but I must confess that at the time I had very little desire to laugh.