Pepé smiled and took her hand. "I was; at least I was praying Our Lady to give me mother-love. I who had never known a mother, desired this sort of affection. I felt the need of it. The dear and good Abercrombie, yes, he was like a father, but at times there comes a wish for such comfort as only a mother can give."
Anita laid her cheek against his hand. "That prayer was answered, Pepé, and you have a sister's love, too. I loved you as soon as I knew of you, and I pictured you to myself, not very clearly, to be sure, but still you looked somewhat as you do, and always when I saw him whom I called Donald, I thought of you, and said to myself: he will look much the same. Once or twice I had a sudden belief that he might be you, but I put it away. There has been much confusion of names. Those things come in waves, I suppose. I was Nancy Loomis and am now Anita Beltrán. You whom we called Donald Abercrombie have become our own Pepé Beltrán." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "You do love me a little bit, don't you, brother?" she said, wistfully. "You are getting used to me?"
He put her hand to his lips. "I love you very much. Every day I awake and say: I am so rich. I have a mother and a sister whom I love."
"We can do many things together," Anita went on. "We shall do our music together, you with your violin; I with the piano, and we can dance. Do you know the jota? Of course you do. Oh, Pepé, I remember that I promised to do some Spanish dances at The Beeches to entertain those poor soldiers. Will you come, too? With your violin? We can dance the jota together and some other things. I have some music. I must hunt it up and take it over for Eleanor to practice. She can do that sort of thing very well. Will you do it?"
"I will do so very gladly. I have not been one to dance very often, but one who lives in Spain cannot help but know the dances. All Spain knows how to dance."
"I have an aldeana costume which I have made. I wish you had one, too. Perhaps we can get up one in time. Mother will help. She will like to. We will see about it at once. And your music, it will add so much, will give so much pleasure. There is Mr. Kirkby tooting his horn to let you know he has come. He is rather early it seems to me."
"We go to Chichester, to the old lady who has the post-cards. Mr. Kirkby wishes that she see me. He has told her of the part her post-cards have played in this drama."
"Of course then she wishes to meet you again. Run up and say good-bye to mother and Auntie while I keep Mr. Kirkby quiet."
She ran out to where the car was standing. "What news, your riverince?" she asked.
"Good news," he replied. "Our friend Terrence Wirt is promised his release from the hospital in time for him to spend Christmas with us."