"True; I had forgotten. What didst thou think
of them?"

"What matters it to such great folk what a poor
Indian girl thinks of them? They are very fair,
which may be the fashion in their country; but I
am not accustomed to it; and I like not beards."

"His excellency wore no beard--he who sat on
my mother's right and opposite to me."

"He is very grand, senorita; more grand than the
Governor, who after all has red hair and is old. He
is even grander than Don Jose, whom may the
saints preserve; or than the padres at the mission.
Perhaps he is a king, like our King and natural
lord in spain. (El rey nuestro y senor natural.)
Is he a king, senorita?"

"No, but he should be. Rosa, thou mayest have
my red cloak that came from Mexico--last year.
I have a new one and that is too small. I had
intended to give it to Ana Paula, but thou art a
good girl and should have a gay mantle for Sunday,
like the other girls. I have also a red ribbon for
thy hair--"

Rosa spilt half the contents of the chocolate pot
on the floor and Concha gave her a sound box on