night," continued Pecson in the same tone, as if he were quoting
known and recognized formulas, "there may be invoked as an obstacle
the immorality of the thing, as was done in the case of the school
at Malolos."

"Another! But don't the classes of the Academy of Drawing, and the
novenaries and the processions, cover themselves with the mantle
of night?"

"The scheme affects the dignity of the University," went on the chubby
youth, taking no notice of the question.

"Affects nothing! The University has to accommodate itself to the needs
of the students. And granting that, what is a university then? Is it
an institution to discourage study? Have a few men banded themselves
together in the name of learning and instruction in order to prevent
others from becoming enlightened?"

"The fact is that movements initiated from below are regarded as
discontent--"

"What about projects that come from above?" interpolated one of the
students. "There's the School of Arts and Trades!"

"Slowly, slowly, gentlemen," protested Sandoval. "I'm not a
friar-lover, my liberal views being well known, but render unto Caesar
that which is Caesar's. Of that School of Arts and Trades, of which I
have been the most enthusiastic supporter and the realization of which
I shall greet as the first streak of dawn for these fortunate islands,
of that School of Arts and Trades the friars have taken charge--"