"Perhaps she did, Francisco," said Walter. "We ought not to be too hard on her."
"Maybe; but I know them. We shall see. Anyhow, it is not right for her to come into the church by the window like a thief. She knew very well, I think, that we would not want her to hang her pictures around."
Closing the window again, Francisco took up his pail of eggs. The boys parted under the old oak, Walter fearing his father and mother would not like him to remain away longer.
He learned that his mother had taken her first hot bath and was feeling "quite well," she said. The older people were very much interested in his recital of the encounter with the missionary, but reproved Walter for having answered her as he had done.
"But, papa," he said, "I couldn't help it. I had to say something, and I wasn't going to give in to her by acting as if we were wrong or that I was ashamed of being a Catholic. You would not have wished me to do that."
There was reason in his argument the elders admitted. His father added, however, that it was always better to steer clear of such persons if possible.
And so the day, so full of incident, closed. Supper was hardly over before the tired children went to rest.
So day succeeded day in this primitive mountain village. The children gradually became acquainted with the Indians, who were very kind to them. Nellie now went regularly to the Lavenderia with handkerchiefs and napkins, and the Indian women willingly made a place for her. They laughingly watched her attempts at washing, which was generally accomplished for her by one or another of them in the end. The gold medal of the Immaculate Conception, which she wore attached to a thin chain around her neck, was the sign of a bond of kinship between them.
On Sunday morning at eight o'clock the sweet, pure tones of the church-bell rang out upon the air, sounding singularly beautiful through the clear, still atmosphere.
"There will not be Mass to-day, Walter?" inquired Mr. Page of his son, whose intimacy with Francisco he thought warranted him well posted in the affairs of the village.