“But first,” she went on hastily, to further allay the poor woman’s fears and to check additional protest, “suppose we plan our dinner. Let’s see, Tony, what would you like?”
The boy’s lips instantly parted. His eyes began to glisten. He glanced inquiringly at his mother; but no sign came from her. Then he could no longer contain himself:
“Spaghetti!” he blurted. “Soup! Buns!”
Carmen drew out her purse and turned to the woman. “Come with me,” she said. “While we are gone, Tony and the children will wash the dishes and set the table. Come.”
For a moment the woman looked uncomprehendingly at the girl, then at her children, and then about the miserable room in which they were huddled. Amazement and confusion sat upon her heavy features. Then these gave way to another dark look of suspicion. She opened her mouth––
But before she could voice her resentment, Carmen rose and threw an arm about her. Then the girl quickly drew the startled woman to her and kissed her on the cheek. “Come,” she whispered, “get your shawl. We’ll be back soon.”
God’s universal language is the language of love. All nations, all tribes understand it. The flood-gates, long barred, swiftly opened, and the tired, miserable woman sank sobbing upon the bed. She could not comprehend what it was that 151 had come so unannounced into her dreary existence that cold winter morning. People were not wont to treat her so. Her life had been an endless, meaningless struggle against misery, want, grinding oppression. People did not put their arms around her and kiss her thus. They scoffed at her, they abused her, they fought with her! She hated them, and the world in which she lived!
“I know, I know,” whispered Carmen, as she drew the sobbing woman’s head upon her shoulder. “But things will be better now. Love has found you.”
The woman suddenly raised up. “You––you are––from heaven? An angel?” She drew back, and a frightened, superstitious look came into her face.
“Yes,” said Carmen softly, taking the cue, “I am an angel, right from heaven. Now you are no longer afraid of me, are you? Come.”