CHAPTER VIII.
On the morning of Corpus the first person Gabriel saw on leaving the cloister was Don Antolin, who was looking over his tickets, placing them in line in front of him on the stone balustrade.
"This is a great day," said Luna, wishing to smooth down Silver Stick.
"You are preparing for a great crowd; no doubt many strangers will come." Don Antolin looked intently at Gabriel, evidently doubting his sincerity; but seeing that he was not laughing, he answered with a certain satisfaction.
"The feast is not beginning badly; there are a great many who wish to see our treasures.

Ay, son! indeed we want it badly.

You who rejoice in our troubles may be satisfied.

We live in horrible straits.

Our feast of Corpus is worth very little compared with former times; but all the same, what economies we have had to make in the Obreria, to provide the four ochavos[1] that the extra festivity will cost!" [Footnote 1: _Ochavo_--small Spanish brass coin, value two maravedis.] Don Antolin remained silent for some time, still looking intently at Luna, as though some extraordinary idea had just occurred to him.