It annoyed him to
think that his people slept too. He might suddenly want them for
something, he said. He commanded that they should stay awake, and
decapitated several hundred who were found napping. When he saw that
the habit was ingrained in their natures and that nothing would avail
save a total extermination of the populace, he gave way, gracefully.
Then hi instituted these popular theatricals in honour of the Patron
Saint, and fixed them irrevocably for the hour of three o'clock. He
meant to keep his faithful subjects awake on one afternoon of the year,
at all events. He took it for granted that they could never resist a
performance of this kind. He was right. He knew his people! That was
ages ago. We shall find the place crammed this afternoon."
There was barely standing room, in spite of the sirocco heat. Mr.
Keith, by means of some mysterious formula, soon procured two seats in
the front row, the occupants of which smilingly took their places among
the crowd at the back.
The bishop found himself sitting between his host and a
distinguished-looking elderly gentleman who turned out to be Count
Caloveglia.
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