“Nothing––nothing––I forgot––that’s all. A––a––come, let us begin our lessons now.”
But his mind refused to be held to the work. Finally he had to ask––he could not help it.
“Carmen, what did you do? Did you talk to the crocodile?”
“Why, no, Padre––crocodiles don’t talk!” And throwing her little head back she laughed heartily at the absurd idea.
“But––you did something! What was it? Tell me.”
“No, Padre, I did nothing,” the child persisted.
He saw he must reach her thought in another way. “Why did the crocodile come up to you, Carmen?” he asked.
“Why––I guess because it loved me––I don’t know.”
“And did you love it as you sat looking at it?”