Summary

There is a strange, old madman named Anastasio, who goes by Tasio, who wanders San Diego. He had studied philosophy before leaving university to take care of his sick mother. He loathes the clergy, and refuses to join a church. Tasio is well-liked by the locals, and has dinner that night with Don Filipo, a deputy-mayor, and his wife, Teodora Viña. Tasio critiques the exploitative nature of the church, where money is demanded in exchange for masses or indulgences.

At the local church, there are two young Filipino brothers training to become sextons. Crispín and Basilio are extremely poor. They were sent to train with the church by their beloved mother, who is both very devout and hopes to set them up for a secure career. Crispín, very young, has been falsely accused of stealing two pesos - an enormous...