The invalid had become an intolerable character. During his bad spells, when he felt depressed from lack of opium, the doses of which Basilio was trying to reduce, he would scold, mistreat, and abuse the boy, who bore it resignedly, conscious that he was doing good to one to whom he owed so much, and yielded only in the last extremity. His vicious appetite satisfied, Capitan Tiago would fall into a good humor, become tender, and call him his son, tearfully recalling the youth's services, how well he administered the estates, and would even talk of making him his heir. Basilio would smile bitterly and reflect that in this world complaisance with vice is rewarded better than fulfilment of duty.
Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibigSa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit,Sanglang kalayaan nasa ring masapitKatulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulanSa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian,At ang isang tao'y katulad, kabagayNg alin mang likha noong kalayaan.Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salitaMahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusaNa tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala.Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa LatinSa Ingles, Kastila at salitang anghel,Sapagka't ang Poong maalam tuminginAng siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin.Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa ibaNa may alfabeto at sariling letra,Na kaya nawala'y dinatnan ng sigwaAng lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.