"Would you like to ride the pretty little horse, El Rey?"
The child walked slowly to the door and peered wistfully out.
"El Rey would like to ride; but Roseta might come."
"We will not go far," said Agueda. "Come, let me lift you up." El Rey suffered himself to be lifted to the horse's back, but his eyes were ever searching the dim vista of the woodland for the form that did not appear.
"I cannot enjoy it, Señora," said he, politely. "El Rey would enjoy the Señora's kindness if Roseta could see him ride."
"I must go, Aneta," said Agueda, her eyes moist.
She lifted the child down from Castaño's back. He at once entered the casa. He turned in the doorway, his thin little figure occupying small space against the dark background.
"Adios, Señoritas," said the child. "Oh! will the Señoritas please put the key on the window ledge?"
"We cannot lock you in, El Rey," said Agueda.
"Do you mean that we are to lock you in, El Rey?" asked Aneta at the same time.