“Let us go to him, then,” replied the priest. “Doña Maria, do you and Carmen return to your house, whilst Rosendo and I seek to be of service to those who may need us.”
Together they started down the main street of the town. Dead silence reigned everywhere. Many of the inhabitants had fled to the hills. But there were still many whose circumstances would not permit of flight. As they neared Rosendo’s house the little party were hailed from a distance by Juan Mendoza and Pedro Cárdenas, neighbors living on either side of Rosendo and the priest.
“Hola, Padre and Don Rosendo!” they called; “you cannot return to your homes, for you would expose us to the plague! Go back! Go back! We will burn the houses over your heads if you return!”
“But, amigos––” Josè began.
“Na, Padre,” they cried in tense excitement, “it is for the best! Go back to the hill! We will supply you with food and blankets––but you must not come here! Amado Sanchez is sick; Guillermo Hernandez is sick. Go back! You must not expose us!” The attitude of the frightened, desperate men was threatening. Josè saw that it would be unwise to resist them.
“Bien, compadres, we will go,” he said, his heart breaking with sorrow for these children of fear. Then, assembling his little family, he turned and retraced his steps sadly through the street that burned in lonely silence in the torrid heat.
Carmen’s eyes were big with wonder; but a happy idea soon drove all apprehension from her thought. “Padre!” she exclaimed, “we will live in the old church, and we will play house there!” She clapped her hands in merriment.
“Never!” muttered Rosendo. “I will not enter that place! It would bring the plague upon me! Na! na!” he insisted, when they reached the steps, “do you go in if you wish; but I will stay outside in the shadow of the building.” Nor would the combined entreaties of Carmen and Josè induce him to yield. Doña Maria calmly and silently prepared to remain with him.
“Pull off the old door, Padre!” cried Carmen excitedly. “And open all the shutters. Look! Look, Padre! There goes the bad angel that padre Rosendo was afraid of!” A number of bats, startled at the noise and the sudden influx of light, were scurrying out through the open door.