"No, poor lady, that was her greatest pain when they told her that her
sickness was very contagious. But--there! there! Catalina, I did not mean
to make you cry, and I have told you this story so many times, and now here
I am telling it over again like the foolish woman I am!"

"No, no, Teresa, go on," answered Catalina between her sobs. "I am always
happy when I hear you speak of our beloved Mamma."

And now, I too could not keep back my tears as I kneeled beside the old
servant, who left her work to pass her hand over my head.

"Thou didst not know her, dear Lisita. How many times during her sickness
she told me especially to take care of thee, and love thee as if I were
thine own mother. Yes, and correct thee also.... At times I ask myself
whether I have obeyed her."

"Oh, Teresa," exclaimed Rosa, interrupting her and closing, with a bang the
book which she had not read. "Indeed, you have done your duty. What would
we have done without you? Of course, I can't say," and Rosa smiled, "that
your punishments have been very numerous, but father has taken care of
that. Father corrects us and you do the loving part"

"Now, see here, your father loves you also, and it's only the pain of
having lost your mother that makes him appear more severe than he really
is. Open the window, Rosa, I can hardly see, and I must finish this
stocking before I quit tonight."

Rosa obeyed, and a soft breeze entered, laden with the perfume of the
garden, and Teresa resumed; "After the doctor had gone that afternoon your
mother called me and said, Teresa, tell me the truth. The doctor believes I