“All right! You did well to change your mind; for your business began to
look very ugly. The minister is very angry with you.”
“The minister? And why?”
“_Primo_, he had charged you with a very important duty.”
“To be sure,” stammered Daniel, hanging his head; “but I have been so
severely suffering!”
The fact is, he had totally forgotten that unlucky work.
“_Secundo_,” continued the old officer, “he was doubtful whether you
were in your right senses, and I agree with him, since he has told me
that you yourself have solicited this appointment on foreign service in
the most urgent terms.”