Simão Bacamarte accepted the ordinance with all its restrictions. As for the exemption of the Councilmen, he declared that they were in no danger whatever of being committed, for their votes in favor of the amendment showed clearly that they were mentally unbalanced. He asked only that Galvão be delivered to him, for this Councilman had exhibited exceptional mental equilibrium, not only in his objection to the amendment but even more in the calm that he had maintained in the face of unreasonable opposition and abuse on the part of his colleagues. The Council immediately granted the request.

Under the new theory a few acts or statements by a person could not establish his abnormality: a long examination and a thorough study of his history were necessary. Father Lopes, for example, was not taken to the Green House until thirty days after the passage of the ordinance. In the case of the druggist’s wife fifty days of study were required. Crispim Soares raged about the streets, telling everybody that he would tear the tyrant’s ears off. One of the men to whom he spoke—a fellow who, as everyone knew, had an aversion for Bacamarte—ran and warned the alienist. Bacamarte thanked him warmly and locked him up in recognition of his rectitude and his good will even toward someone he disliked, signs of perfect mental equilibrium.

“This is a very unusual case,” said the doctor to Dona Evarista.

By the time Crispim Soares arrived at the alienist’s house, sorrow had overcome his anger. He did not tear Bacamarte’s ears off. The alienist tried to comfort his old friend. He told him that his wife might be suffering from a cerebral lesion, that there was a fair chance of recovery, and that meanwhile he must of course keep her confined. The alienist considered it desirable, however, for Soares to spend a good deal of time with her, for the druggist’s guile and intellectual dishonesty might help to overcome the moral superiority that the doctor found in his patient.

“There is no reason,” he said, “why you and your wife should not eat lunch and dinner together every day at the Green House. You may even stay with her at night.”

Simão Bacamarte’s words placed the druggist in a new dilemma. He wanted to be with his wife, but at the same time he dreaded returning to the Green House. He remained undecided for several minutes. Then Dona Evarista released him from the dilemma: she promised to visit his wife frequently and to bear messages between the two. Crispim Soares kissed her hands in gratitude. His pusillanimous egoism struck the alienist as almost sublime.