As soon as Florence had answered these questions she inquired if they still owned the cow.
The woman nodded assent and urged her and Jo Ann to sit down and rest till Pablito brought the cow and she could milk.
Florence shook her head and handing her the bucket asked if it would be possible for her to send the milk up later by one of the children.
“Sí, Florencita. Muy bien,” she agreed, smiling.
As the girls turned to go, the woman reached down and picked a fragrant, waxy-white flower from the jasmine growing in a pot by the door. “For your mama,” she explained, handing it to Florence.
With a word of thanks and an “Adios” to her and the children, the girls started back down the trail.
“Let’s go home the long way through the valley,” suggested Florence when they reached the ravine. “There’s a cave down this way that I want to show you.”
“Fine! The longer the way, the better. That cave sounds interesting, too.”
Slipping and sliding down the rocky mountain side, they soon reached the broad valley; then they followed the path around the base of the cliff, stopping now and then to gather ferns and flowers.
When they came to a sparkling, crystal-clear spring bubbling out from under the rocks, Jo Ann dropped to her knees and drank thirstily of the icy cold water.