of my life in the old days? But little did I expect to see you here, and
it grieves me sorely to find you ill."

"That is a little thing, Apolinaria, after many of the hardships I have
been through since we came to this country. But I shall not talk of
that. It is a hard land for all who come. Tell me of yourself,
Apolinaria. Have you found many trials? But I think you can have none
now, for though you work hard, you must be very happy with it all. You
see I have heard much about you, and the good you have done in these
last years."

"Another time maybe, Pedro," Apolinaria replied, "but you are here to
get well, and I cannot stop now to talk. I must make my rounds. I shall
see you again, for I come here every day."

And Apolinaria left him hastily to visit another room of the hospital.
His gaze followed her until she was out of sight; then, slowly closing
his eyes, he leaned back in his chair.

The next day he was too ill to leave his bed. His attack was not severe,
but the disease seemed to leave him without strength to recover, and
many days passed before he began to improve. During all the time,
Apolinaria visited him once or twice every day, and it was not long
before Pedro learned to know her hours for the hospital, and to watch
and wait for her coming. If, for any reason, she was delayed in her
daily visit to him, he fretted nervously until she appeared. Now this,
to one in his condition, is dangerous, but how could poor, simple Pedro
know it? So he gave himself to his one happiness of the moment, without
suspicion of whither it was leading him. The nurses in the hospital soon
noticed his interest in Apolinaria, but mistook the direction it was