CHAPTER VII
WINTER WORK AND PLAY
"See, winter comes to rule the varied year."
—James Thomson.
What joy in the home when Jose that evening, after the late supper, told the good news! How they crowded around Antonio, clapping him on the shoulders! With what glee did Joanna bring out preserved fruits and sweet cakes for them to eat as they drew their chairs around the hearth!
"We will have many a happy winter evening together;" the father spoke with a new courage shining in his eyes. "The doctor you sent for, Antonio, came to-day while you and Jose were away. He told me that if I rest this winter, free from care, I shall have full use of my right hand and foot again. Your taking the care from me will be what saves me, Antonio."
"I can do more than keep you from care, father. I saved money while I was away, and have over two hundred dollars now, even after paying my passage home. I will spend some of this money to make the farm better."
This was the first time Antonio had spoken of his savings. He had kept silent until he could decide as to whether or not he would go back to America.
"You are a rich man, my son." A look of pride shone in the father's eyes as he spoke.
"You deserve it, Antonio. You are a good son," the mother said, as she wiped happy tears from her eyes.
Indeed this seemed to the whole family a very great fortune. Even Senhor Castillo was not worth more than five hundred dollars, and he was the wealthiest man for miles around.
"I will buy a new plough and some new tools. We shall soon have enough better crops to more than pay for this spending. When you are well again, father, there will be two men of us to work instead of one."