"In the brush houses by the shore Kino's neighbors sat long over their breakfasts, and they spoke of what they would do if they had found the pearl. And one man said that he would give it as a present to the Holy Father in Rome. Another said that
he would buy Masses for the souls of his family for a thousand years. Another thought he might take the money and
distribute it among the poor of La Paz; and a fourth thought of all the good things one could do with the money from the
pearl, of all the charities, benefits, of all the rescues one could perform if one had money. All of the neighbors hoped that
sudden wealth would not turn Kino's head, would not make a rich man of him, would not graft onto him the evil limbs of
greed and hatred and coldness."
What does this conversation between the townspeople reveal about society? What theme is this conversation hinting at?