So he did
nothing. Finally, it occurred to me to go and see the Conde de
Romanones, who had just been appointed Alcalde del Centro, having
jurisdiction over the district.
When I entered his office, Romanones appeared to be in a jovial frame of
mind. He wore a flower in his button-hole. Two persons were with him,
one of whom was no other than the Secretary of the Board, my enemy.
I related what had happened to Romanones with great force. The Secretary
then answered.
"The young man is right," said the Count. "Bring me the roll of the
draft."
The roll was brought. Romanones took his pen and crossed my name off
altogether. Then he turned to me with a smile:
"Don't you care to be a soldier?"
"No, sir."
"But what are you, a student?"
"Yes, sir."
"In which branch?"
"Medicine."
"Good! Very good. You may go now."
I would willingly have been anything to have escaped becoming a soldier,
and so be obliged to live in barracks, eat mess, and parade.
TO VALENCIA
I failed in both June and September during the fourth year of my course,
which was a mere matter of luck, as I neither applied myself more nor
less than in previous years.
In the meantime my father had been transferred to Valencia, whither it
seemed wise that I should remove to continue my studies.
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