"No, the times are not so good any more," the other agreed. "And I doubt if all this marrying will make them any better. Of what use is it to marry people after they have lived together and had children? and the man is maybe thinking about another woman, like Pablo. I saw him coming out of the brush with that oldest girl of Trinidad's, only Sunday night." The reappearance of the priest upon the scene cut short further scandal. He knelt down before the improvised altar and began his private devotions. The women tiptoed away. Señor Lujon himself went out toward the servants' quarters to hurry the candidates for the marriage sacrament. The women were giggling and snatching up their best shawls. Some of the men had even washed their hands. The household crowded into the _sala_, and Father Vaillant married couples with great dispatch. "To-morrow morning, the baptisms," he announced. "And the mothers see to it that the children are clean, and that there are sponsors for all." After he had resumed his travelling-clothes, Father Joseph asked his host at what hour he dined, remarking that he had been fasting since an early breakfast. "We eat when it is ready--a little after sunset, usually. I have had a young lamb killed for your Reverence." Father Joseph kindled with interest. "Ah, and how will it be cooked?" Señor Lujon shrugged. "Cooked? Why, they put it in a pot with chili, and some onions, I suppose." "Ah, that is the point. I have had too much stewed mutton. Will you permit me to go into the kitchen and cook my portion in my own way?" Lujon waved his hand. "My house is yours, Padre. Into the kitchen I never go--too many women. But there it is, and the woman in charge is named Rosa." When the Father entered the kitchen he found a crowd of women discussing the marriages. They quickly dispersed, leaving old Rosa by her fire-place, where hung a kettle from which issued the savour of cooking mutton fat, all too familiar to Father Joseph. He found a half sheep hanging outside the door, covered with a bloody sack, and asked Rosa to heat the oven for him, announcing that he meant to roast the hind leg. "But Padre, I baked before the marriages. The oven is almost cold. It will take an hour to heat it, and it is only two hours till supper." "Very well. I can cook my roast in an hour." "Cook a roast in an hour!" cried the old woman. "Mother of God, Padre, the blood will not be dried in it!" "Not if I can help it!" said Father Joseph fiercely. "Now hurry with the fire, my good woman." When the Padre carved his roast at the supper-table, the serving-girls stood behind his chair and looked with horror at the delicate stream of pink juice that followed the knife. Manuel Lujon took a slice for politeness, but he did not eat it. Father Vaillant had his _gigot_ to himself.