. .
He had to make a great effort not to protest aloud, and he left the
church. His sister-in-law had no right to kneel there among those
people.
"They ought to put her out!" he growled indignantly. "She is
compromising God with her absurd entreaties."
But in spite of his annoyance, he had to endure her living in his
household, and at the same time had taken great pains to prevent her
nationality being known outside.
It was a severe trial for Don Marcelo to be obliged to keep silent
when at table with his family. He had to avoid the hysterics of his
sister-in-law who promptly burst into sighs and sobs at the slightest
allusion to her hero; and he feared equally the complaints of his wife,
always ready to defend her sister, as though she were the victim. . . .
That a man in his own home should have to curb his tongue and speak
tactfully! . . .
The only satisfaction permitted him was to announce the military moves.
The French had entered Belgium. "It appears that the Boches have had a
good set-back." The slightest clash of cavalry, a simple encounter
with the advance troops, he would glorify as a decisive victory. "In
Lorraine, too, we are making great headway!" . . . But suddenly the
fountain of his bubbling optimism seemed to become choked up. To
judge from the periodicals, nothing extraordinary was occurring.
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