And this proves how inadequately causes and effects are
understood, here on earth. For the priests, the most intelligent
section of the populace, knew perfectly well that but for the orders of
the parroco no procession could have taken place. The Saint would have
remained locked up in his musty shrine, without the faintest chance of
performing a miracle of any kind. They argued, consequently, that Saint
Dodekanus got the credit for what was really the parroco's notion. And
Torquemada, thinking over the day's proceedings, was driven to confess
that he was indebted for the suggestion to the fertile brain of the
Nicaraguan Representative; in other words that he, the parroco, was
praised for what was really the Commissioner's idea. And it is evident
that if Mr. Parker's lady had not died from the effects of a
mosquito-sting, that gentleman would never have been in such a complex
funk as to suggest a procession to the worthy priest.
Thus it came about that the Commissioner, the Parish Priest, and the
Patron Saint got the credit for what was really an insect's work.
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