Philosopher or Dog?

Quincas Borba, rich eccentric philosopher and leading man in Epitaph Of A Small Winner, has named his dog Quincas Borba, because - as he explains to his friend Rubiao - Quincas the man is going to die first. And though he may be immortalized in history for his famous philosophy, he will also be remembered by the illiterates through his dog. Quincas the man does die first, leaving his fortune to Rubiao, provided that he take care of the dog. Rubiao, heretofore a not-too-bright teacher, suddenly becomes a wealthy man, with stocks and homes and investments and servants. But Rubiao is hardly the world cosmopolitan type. And when he forsakes his hometown of Barbacena for Quinca's mansion in Rio, he's in for a whole new world of experiences - including insanity.