"Is there so much water in the sea?"
"Yes indeed, and more than there is in Uncle Pedro's pond."
"The voice of the wind seems to me like the voice of the evil spirit, that comes leading fear by the hand," said Maria.
"You are always frightened, mother," remarked Rita. "I don't know when your spirit will rest. Look here, lazy-bones," she proceeded, giving a push to the boy who had reclined against her, "lean upon what you have eaten."
The child, being half asleep, lost his balance. Elvira gave a cry, and Perico, springing forward, caught him in his arms. Anna dropped her distaff, but took it up again without a word.
"If you ever lose your son," said Pedro, indignant, "you will not weep for him as I do for mine. You have that advantage over me."
"She is so quick, so hasty," said Maria, always ready to excuse and slow to blame, "that she keeps me in hot water."
"So, then, Mamma Maria," Perico hastened to say, "yon are afraid of everything--and witches?"
"No; oh! no, my son! The church forbids the belief in witches and enchanters. I fear those things which God permits to punish men, and, above all, when they are supernatural."
"Are there any such things? Have you seen any?" asked Rita.