“Without lunch?” asked the Canon.
“Yes.”
“Oh, no; that is impossible.”
“One has to sacrifice oneself for the sake of Christianity,” said Cæsar.
“You haven’t much desire to sacrifice yourself,” retorted Don Calixto.
“Because I believe it is damp and unwholesome down there, and a Christian bronchitis would not be wholly pleasant, despite its religious origin. And besides, as you already know, one must go without food.”
“We might eat something there,” said Don Justo.
“Eat there!” exclaimed Cæsar. “Eat a slice of ham, in front of the niches of the Catacombs! It would make me sick.”
“It wouldn’t me,” replied the Canon.
“In front of the tombs of martyrs and saints!”