Alas! it is the first step that counts. In this case, the first slice; Dennis cut that very thick and bountifully spread it with butter from the hidden store. This he gave to the girl, who ate it more rapidly and unthinkingly than she had ever eaten anything before. As she did so, all fatigue passed away and, perching herself upon a rock, she swung her feet in a satisfied fashion that did the heart of Dennis Fogarty great good.
For once he did not wait till she had finished, and soon he, also, felt the comfort of food. That he did not swing his feet, as she did, was simply because he was sitting upon the ground and could not; but he began to sing in that funny monotone which he considered music and that was, at least, an outward expression of his inward content.
“Dennis, that was so good! If there’ll be enough, I’d like just another little tiny bit.”
The tender hearted fellow craftily hid the loaf behind him as he pretended to examine it, then cheerfully replied:
“Enough, says she? Faith, there’s enough an’ more nor plenty for a dozen like ye. An’ butter—galore.”
With that ferocious dirk of his, he slashed off another thick portion and gave it to her; but he did not take a second piece for himself, though his stomach lustily demanded the indulgence, and with heroic sacrifice he put the remnant of the bread as far behind him as he could reach.
Afterward, he pulled branches from the small pines about the spring and piled them for Carlota’s bed; over these he spread his own fine serape and, with a magnificent wave of his hand, motioned his “little lady” to take her needed rest.
“Thank you, good Dennis. I believe I was almost asleep, right here on the rock. It’s a lovely bed, but first, I must say my prayers.”
So the grizzled, labor-worn man and the innocent child knelt together and put themselves and their desires into the safe keeping of the loving Father who cared for them alike.
Five minutes later, they were both asleep, unconscious of danger or treachery; Dennis happily snoring and Carlota dreaming of Refugio and its beloved garden. Nor to either did it seem more than a moment before they were suddenly awakened, to find the sun already rising and a tall figure looming above them.