Luna, who knew all the history of the Cathedral, remembered the origin of its name.

At first it was called "of justice," because under it the Vicar-General of the Archbishopric gave audience.

Later it was called "del Mollete," because every day after high mass the acolytes and vergers assembled there for the blessing of the half-pound loaves, or rolls of bread distributed to the poor.

Six hundred bushels of wheat--as Luna remembered--were distributed yearly in this alms, but this was in the days when the yearly revenues of the Cathedral were more than eleven millions.
Gabriel felt annoyed by the curious glances of the clergy, and of the devout entering the church.

They were people accustomed to seeing each other daily at the same hour, and they felt their curiosity excited by seeing a stranger breaking in on the monotony of their lives.
He drew back to the further end of the cloister, then some words from the beggars made him retrace his steps.
"Ah! here comes old 'Vara de palo.'"[1] [Footnote 1: Wooden staff.] "Good-day, Senor Esteban!" A small man dressed in black, and shaved like a cleric, came down the steps.
"Esteban! Esteban!" cried Luna, placing himself between him and the door of the Presentacion.
"Wooden Staff" looked at him with his clear eyes like amber, the quiet eyes of a man used to spending long hours in the Cathedral, with never a rebellious thought arising to disturb his immovable beatitude.