The woman looked up with a wan smile. “Chiquita, they are nothing. They are all cheap trinkets––nothing compared with what there is in the big world beyond us. You poor dear, you have lived all your life in miserable little Simití, and you haven’t the slightest idea of what there is in the world!”
“But, Anita dear, Simití is beautiful,” the girl protested.
“Beautiful!” The woman laughed aloud. “My dear, simple little girl! You have seen only this poor room, and you think it wonderful. I have been to Barranquilla and Cartagena with Padre Diego, and have seen houses a thousand times more beautiful than this. And yet, even those are nothing to what there is in the world outside.”
Carmen went to the bed and passed her hand over the white counterpane. “Anita––why, is this––is this your––”
“Yes, chiquita, it is my bed. You have never seen a real bed, poor little thing.”
“But––” the child’s eyes were wide with wonder––“it is so soft––you sink way into it––oh, so soft––like the heron’s feathers! I didn’t sleep at all in the canoe––and I am so tired.”
“You blessed lamb!” cried the woman, springing up and clasping the girl in her arms. “But––what can I do? When he returns, he may come right up here! Santa Maria, help me!––what shall I do?”
“Anita––let me sleep in your bed––it is so soft––but––” looking down dubiously at her muddy feet.
“Never mind them, child.” The woman’s face had set in grim determination. She went to the dresser and took out a small stiletto, which she quickly concealed in the bosom of her dress. “Get right in, just as you are! I will take care of Diego, if he comes! Santa Maria, I will––”
“Anita dear,” murmured the girl, sinking down between the white sheets, “you and I will just know that God is everywhere, and that He will take care of us, and of Padre Diego too.” With a sigh of contentment the child closed her eyes. “Anita dear,” she whispered softly, “wasn’t He good to bring me right to you? And to-morrow we will go back to Simití––and 237 to padre Rosendo––and Padre Josè––and––and Cantar-las-horas––you haven’t seen him for such a long time––such a long––long––Anita dear, I––love––you––”