[45] But nevertheless, from lack of encouragement and of opposition, his enthusiasm gradually waned.

He did not read the newspapers that came from Spain, because they arrived in packages, the sight of which made him yawn.

The ideas that he had caught having been all expended, he needed reinforcement, and his orators were not there, and although in the casinos of Manila there was enough gambling, and money was borrowed as in Madrid, no speech that would nourish his political ideas was permitted in them.

But Don Custodio was not lazy, he did more than wish--he worked.

Foreseeing that he was going to leave his bones in the Philippines, he began to consider that country his proper sphere and to devote his efforts to its welfare.