“Then men in Mexico said: Quetzalcoatl has gone. Even his star has departed. We must listen to this Jesus, who speaks in a foreign tongue.
“So they learned a new speech from the priests that came from upon the great waters to the east. And they became Christians.”
Julio, who had become absorbed, ended abruptly, as the tale of the leaflet was ended.
“It is beautiful,” said Kate.
“And it is true!” cried the sceptical Juana.
“It seems to me true,” said Kate.
“Señora!” yelled Concha. “Is it true that heaven is up there, and you come down steps like clouds to the edge of the sky, like the steps from the mole into the lake? Is it true that El Señor comes and stands on the steps and looks down at us like we look down into the lake to see the charales?”
Concha shoved up her fierce swarthy face, and shook her masses of hair, glaring at Kate, waiting for an answer.
“I don’t know everything,” laughed Kate. “But it seems to me true.”
“She believes it,” said Concha, turning her face to her mother.
“And is it true,” asked Juana, “that El Señor, El Cristo del Mundo, is a gringo, and that He comes from your country, with His Holy Mother?”
“Not from my country, but from a country near.”
“Listen!” exclaimed Juana, awestruck. “El Señor is a gringito, and His Holy Mother is a gringita. Yes, one really knows. Look! Look at the feet of the Niña! Pure feet of the Santísima! Look!” Kate was barefoot,