But Fernando wanted to incite him to an active discontent. At least, he told himself, he should know whom he owes his misfortunes to. By doing that, and by not evincing any distrust despite having abundant reason to do so, Fernando believed he was attracting Rubén over to his side.

“Do you know why the Revolution took place, Rubén? So that the differences between you and the rich people who exploit you would no longer exist, to give you a dignity that others would respect.”

Rubén acquiesced with exclamations of wonder: “Oh really!” “How about that!” But at heart he was uneasy and hurried to ask Don Leonardo Cifuentes* advice about quitting this job.

The advice must have been affirmative because, without further ado, Rubén disappeared one day. He went off, saying to anyone who wanted to listen that the engineer was “in league with the devil” and leaving Ulloa with an amount of work that was too much for him to handle alone.

XIV

CHAPTER XIV

IN HIS URGENT NEED to find a substitute for Rubén Martínez, Ulloa placed notices in the town’s only newspaper (a weekly called ¡Plus Ultra!) and in the movie theatre which filled its intermissions with advertisements,

These measures were not effective, despite the fact that an adequate salary was offered and opportunities for work were neither frequent nor abundant in Ciudad Real. But those who would have applied for the position had been given careful instructions by their spiritual advisors and did not approach Fernando even out of curiosity.

As the days passed and this situation continued unchanged the engineer was beginning to think about going to Tuxtla to find the assistant he needed. Then he received a visit from César Santiago.

“Come in,” Fernando said, recognizing one of his former students. “To what do I owe this miracle?”

For an instant he thought César had come as an emissary from his schoolmates to ask that he return to his teaching post. His dismissal had been so shameful, so unjustified! But the young man was already unfolding a copy of ¡Plus Ultra!

“I just saw your advertisement. . . . I was away for a few days. . . . I hope I haven’t come too late.”

“You’re the first,” Fernando answered, suspicious that this was some kind of a joke. “On whose behalf are you applying for the job?”

“On my own behalf.”

Fernando had taken a seat after inviting his guest to do the same. He still felt distrustful.

“I don’t think you could fit it in with your studies. You’d have to spend most of your time outside the city.”

“That doesn’t matter. I’ve decided to leave school.”