The secular laziness, the resistance to all change, and the fear of the unknown that all stationary people feel, are the causes of the continuance of this institution, that has not like other countries the military outlet or the aggrandisement of its territory as a justification of its existence." With this the conversation ended that evening in the Chapel-master's little room.
Gabriel found himself drawn afresh by the affection of his admirers in the Claverias.

They coaxed him and followed him, lamenting his absence.

They could not live without him, so declared the shoemaker.
They had become accustomed to listen to him, they felt the desire of being enlightened, and they begged the master not to desert them.
"We meet in the tower now," said the bell-ringer; "Silver Stick looks on our meetings with an evil eye, and he has gone so far as to threaten the shoemaker to turn him out of the Claverias if the meetings continue to be held in his house.

He will not interfere with me; he knows my character.

Besides, if he rules in the upper cloister, I rule in my tower.