"Yes, in some respects it is," answered Mr. Page. "But we were speaking of the child last night, Dionysio--my wife and aunt and myself. My aunt has formed quite an affection for the little one, and proposed that she should take her back to the East, educate her, and have her for a companion."
"Your aunt is no longer young," replied Dionysio.
"You may be sure the child would be well provided for."
"That may be true. But it is the same thing. She would still be alone."
"You have the right to decide, Dionysio," said Mr. Page. "She belongs to you. What would you do with her? Would you send her to the Mission until she is grown?"
"Then she would not care for me, maybe. No; I think not the Mission."
"But she would learn to read, then, and to sew, and to cook, and to be neat."
"I can teach her to read, and our women--some of them, can cook well and sew."
"But you do not mean that you and she will live alone together? You are away so often--how could you manage it?"
A smile appeared on the stolid face of the Indian, and a little shamefacedly he replied:
"You have been good to the child, Mr. Page, and to me. I will tell you: On the ranch where I have been working there is an Indian family in charge. The owners do not live there much. These Indians are good people, and know well how to keep house. The girl was for a time at the Mission. That is where I will take my little sister."
"Oh," he said laughingly. "You are going to be married, Dionysio?"
"Yes, sir," replied the Indian, also laughing. "I am going to marry Victoria. It is all settled. I can have work there as long as I wish."
"Then you do well to keep your sister," said Mr. Page. "And I congratulate you, Dionysio; you deserve a good wife."
And so it was that the little Indian girl who had so endeared herself to the family was left behind when they departed from the village. Aunt Mary was sorely disappointed. She had made many plans for the future of the child; but on reflection she, too, saw that Dionysio's plan was the most proper and natural. But never did a small daughter of Cupa have a neater or more attractive outfit than that which arrived from town as soon as possible after the Pages returned.
At last the morning came for their departure. It seemed as though all the women and children in the place had assembled to bid them good-by.