continued Louis. "Any way, what is a Bible? Is it a kind of a prayer-book?"

"No," I said, proud that I knew so much, "it's not a prayer-book. At least
I have seen Paula pray in the morning and at night. She kneels and closes
her eyes and prays, and does not use the Book at all during the time that
she prays. She tells me that in the Book she learns how to be good and to
serve God. Her father used to read it to her every day, and when he died
she promised him to continue to read it."

"Poor Paula!" sighed Rosa. "There is something mighty fine about her. I
wonder how all this is going to come out."

"I think she'll die," I said, trying hard to keep back the tears.

"Nonsense," said Louis, "she'll not die! Not she! Don't worry about that.
In a few days she'll forget all about it. But I can't help feeling very
sorry to see her so unhappy. Well, good-bye, Rosa. Don't cry anymore,
Lisita. I'm going into the kitchen to see what's happened to poor Paula."

I followed him out and we found the kitchen empty. I went to our room and
found Teresa seated on my bed with Paula on her lap. I heard Teresa say,
"My treasure, don't cry any more! Don't afflict poor Teresa who loves you
so, and who loved your mother before you. Now, come, come, my angel, that
will do. You will make yourself sick. See, here comes Lisita also to
comfort you."

But Paula continued crying, inconsolable, as she hid her face on the ample
shoulder of our old servant I came quite near her and stroked her hair, but
I could not utter a word.