THE MEXICAN GENERAL
189
himself as a person with the old man by killing him, if every way
outclassed and subordinated he had not thought: 'Well, at least we
are equals when I pierce your head with a pick, and you are even
less when you die.' That's to be considered.
"After he had made his own statements to the press
el /efe
had more pictures taken in the disorder of the study pointing to
the overturned table and then came to see if the Belgian could be
questioned. The doctor advised against it. The old woman had
gone to the hospital and that was our next stop."
They had reached the top of the street and now advanced
across a short plain of grass grown cobbles towards the church.
The girls as they entered crossed themselves and covered their
heads and the men took off their hats. They moved slowly
towards the center and from there in silence made their inspection
of the ceiling's heavy greenish giltwork and of the walls whose
brown gloom took in the confession boxes and holy figures.
"This must be a very old place," said the General. "Citron,
do you know how old?"
"I should say about three hundred years. The sacristan will
be able to tell you."
"It is very beautiful in architecture," said the General. "Very
fine. Are there no guides here?"
"There must be a sacristan around somewhere."
The General and the girls set off to circle the church while
Paco and Citron reti.red to the rear of the dark nave.
"Where was I?" said Citron. "That digression threw me off.
Had we come to the hospital?"
"You were just arriving."
"Oh yes. It was about nine when we got there. We were told
ilie old man had lost consciousness. Felipe went in to see him. That
chap from
La Prensa
was there, you know him, Roberto, and he
wanted me to slip him in for a picture. I told him not yet, he'd
have to see the boss. 'He'll let you in by and by,' I said. 'You
know he appreciates the value of a lively press.' Sure enough when
el/efe
came out and they had taken him before the door he gave
his permission. 'But no noise,' he said. 'Please respect the presence
of the Senora.' We passed in, Felipe going immediately to the
head of the bed, and they took the ones which were later called,
'El
gran. lider en su lecho de muerte.'
The old woman was in a chair
