The boy interrupted his story for a moment, bursting into sobs, and then added—
"My father went to Paradise to see my mother, ... and he too did not take me with him."
"Poor little fellow!" exclaimed the compassionate women, who surrounded Ismael, caressing him and endeavouring to console him, just as affected as he was.
"Unhappy child!" said Lambra; "what he wishes is to return to his own country."
"Would you like to go back to your native country, my son?" asked Teresa. "Do you wish to return to Molina?"
"My parents are not there now," answered the child in a despairing tone. "I wish to remain with you, who are good and loving like my mother."
"Well, then, remain with us; for we will love you, as your mother did, my son."
"How good the Christians are, how good!" exclaimed the child, not knowing how to show his gratitude to those who were pitying and consoling him.
"And would you like to be a Christian?" asked Teresa Nuña.
"If you are to be my mothers, I will adore the Prophet whom you adore. My mother used to say that children should adore the God that their mother adored; and does not the Nazarene, your Prophet, love children?"