eBooks Base 2000

Look back fourteen
years, mother; it is but yesterday to thee. Thou dost remember the
baby--a little _muchacha_ thou broughtest me then--fourteen years ago?"
The old woman's eyes became intelligent, and turned with a quick look
towards the open door of the church, and thence towards the choir.
The Padre made a motion of irritation. "No, no! Thou dost not
understand; thou dost not attend me. Knowest thou of any mark of
clothing, trinket, or amulet found upon the babe?"
The light of the old woman's eyes went out. She might have been dead.
Father Pedro waited a moment, and then laid his hand impatiently on her
shoulder.
"Dost thou mean there are none?"
A ray of light struggled back into her eyes.
"None."
"And thou hast kept back or put away no sign nor mark of her parentage?
Tell me, on this crucifix."
The eyes caught the crucifix, and became as empty as the orbits of the
carven Christ upon it.
Father Pedro waited patiently. A moment passed; only the sound of the
muleteer's spurs was heard in the courtyard.
"It is well," he said at last, with a sigh of relief.


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