On the surface, this means that Antonia provides all the physical assistance that an old man requires. But there is a deeper, allegorical meaning, in which nationalism has "depended very much" upon the allegiance of pure idealism. I.e., the institution of the nation-state (represented by Don Jose) would perish if it were not seen to be an ideal, a means of bettering the human condition.

Compare the allegorical relationship of Don Jose and Antonia (nationalism supported by idealism) with that of Charles and Mrs Gould (materialism wedded to altruism). In both cases a conquering force depends for its existence and its success on a principle of justifiying optimism.