“No, I can see she doesn’t want to talk about him. You can find that out for yourself in a few minutes. He’ll be coming down with the family soon.”
“Well, believe me, I’m more convinced than ever that there is something strange about that boy, and I’m going to solve the mystery.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to do your investigating while they’re back in the cave.”
Shortly afterward they heard the clatter of the donkey’s feet on the trail, and soon the family arrived at the spring. The mother ran to meet them and quickly divided the girls’ lunch among them; then she took the baby from the father’s arms and sat down with it beside Pepito again.
While the hungry children were eating, Jo Ann got a good look at Carlitos’s eyes. “See, Florence,” she murmured. “I was right. The boy’s eyes are a beautiful deep blue.”
“Yes, you’re right. His eyes are blue and his features are finely cut. He’s entirely different from the others.”
Noticing that the father was watching them closely, Florence changed the subject by saying, “It’s time we were starting home this minute if we’re going to get there before dark, as we promised.” She turned to the father. “Are you ready to start?”
“Sí, señorita,” he replied, then stooped down quickly and picked up Pepito, who was struggling to rise to his feet.
In a few more minutes the long procession started down the narrow trail, the father with Pepito at the head, and Jo Ann in the rear with Carlitos and one of the little girls.
Florence smiled as she noticed that Jo Ann was beside the blue-eyed boy and trying to talk to him.