“Never,” responded the Judge, cordially. “Señor Vives, it is settled, then. Please convey my regards to Madam Calthorp and her son, and say to them that I will give myself the pleasure of calling upon them toward nightfall, and will bring this little girl with me. Your own affair—the legal document—shall, also, be duly arranged. Good day.”
“I have the happiness to salute thee, Señor Juez. In verity, I am proud of the honor done my little one. I will discharge thy message immediately. Ten thousand thanks. Adios.” With the lightness of youth the old Spaniard sprung upon Tito’s back, doffed his sombrero, bowed profoundly, and rode cheerfully away.
“How funny! It’s a side-saddle, too,” said Beatrice.
“Yes. But that makes no difference to my caballero. He can ride in any way on any animal, and always well. My father says he is a wonderful old man; but he doesn’t seem any older ’n me, I think. He’s very good an’ dear. My grandmother says ’at Sutro is worth everything to my father now, in his blindness.”
“I should think so, indeed! And now for dinner. After that—for a talk about this teaching business. A race to the house! Here we go! And a box of that coveted ‘Huyler’s’ to the winner! Step—step—step! One—two—three! Off!” Away flashed the gay frocks, up and down flew the little black-stockinged legs, and long before the Judge had covered half the distance, the children sat cuddled together on the piazza-step, hugging each other in the exuberance of their love and happiness. “It’s so puffectly nice to have a little girl, same’s me!” cried Steenie, ecstatically. “I used to have the ‘boys’ an’ nobody else. I didn’t know ’bout girls, then, an’ the ‘boys’ are dear as dear! But I like girls, now I’ve seen ’em,—some girls.”
“Me? Do you like me?”
“Course I do. Wasn’t I just telling you? Say, would you like to ride in a circus?”
“My—sake! No! Would you?”
“Course. I have,—lots of times.”
“Why—Steenie—Calthorp! Where? When? How? Who let you?”