feel the reality of things. You yourself are not convinced of the
truth of your objection, you yourself know that it is a tyrannical
and despotic government which, in order to make a display of force
and independence, denies everything through fear or distrust, and
that the tyrannized and enslaved peoples are the only ones whose duty
it is never to ask for anything. A people that hates its government
ought to ask for nothing but that it abdicate its power."

The old lawyer grimaced and shook his head from side to side, in sign
of discontent, while he rubbed his hand over his bald pate and said
in a tone of condescending pity: "Ahem! those are bad doctrines, bad
theories, ahem! How plain it is that you are young and inexperienced
in life. Look what is happening with the inexperienced young men
who in Madrid are asking for so many reforms. They are accused of
filibusterism, many of them don't dare return here, and yet, what
are they asking for? Things holy, ancient, and recognized as quite
harmless. But there are matters that can't be explained, they're so
delicate. Let's see--I confess to you that there are other reasons
besides those expressed that might lead a sensible government to
deny systematically the wishes of the people--no--but it may happen
that we find ourselves under rulers so fatuous and ridiculous--but
there are always other reasons, even though what is asked be quite
just--different governments encounter different conditions--"

The old man hesitated, stared fixedly at Isagani, and then with a
sudden resolution made a sign with his hand as though he would dispel
some idea.

"I can guess what you mean," said Isagani, smiling sadly. "You mean
that a colonial government, for the very reason that it is imperfectly