Note 11 — Chapter II · SCHOOL-DAYS AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My manner of life was simple. I heard mass at four if there was a service so early, or studied my lesson at that hour and went to mass afterward. Then I went into the yard and looked for mabolos.11 Then came breakfast, which generally consisted of a plate of rice and two dried sardines. There was class-work till ten o’clock, and after luncheon a study period. In the afternoon there was school from two o’clock until five. Next, there would be play with my cousins for a while. Study and perhaps painting took up the remainder of the afternoon. By and by came supper, one or two plates of rice with a fish called ayungin. In the evening we had prayers and then, if there was moonlight, a cousin and I would play in the street with the others. Fortunately, I was never ill while away from home. From time to time, I went to my own village. How long the trip seemed going and how short coming back!