“And what of the Virgin? She will help.…”

Well, if she has the Virgin with her, there is nothing more to be said!

She looked at the little pouting face under the bush, and warm rays of caressing light poured from her eyes. She licked her lips and passed her hands slowly over her chest.

I made a fire and set up stones to put the tea-kettle on.

“Now I am going to treat you to tea, mother.”

“Do… my throat is dry.…”

“And what about your people? Have they left you in the lurch?”

“They haven’t… no. I just stayed behind. They have had a drop too much, and… it’s better, this way.… What would it have been like with them around?”

Glancing at me, she covered her face with her elbow; then spat blood, and smiled bashfully.

“Is this your first one?” I asked.

“The first.… And who are you?”

“A human being, sort of.…”

“Of course, a human being! Married?”

“Haven’t had the honor.…”

“That’s not true.”

“What do you mean?”

She dropped her eyes, thought awhile, and said:

“And how is it you know about these things?” This time I decided to lie, and I said:

“I studied these things. I am a student, understand?”

“Yes, yes. Our priest’s eldest son is also a student. He studies to be a priest.…”

“Yes, that’s the kind I am. Well, I’ll fetch some water.…”

The woman bent her head in the direction of the child, listening to his breathing for a while, then looked off toward the sea.

“I would like to have a wash, too,” she said, “but this queer water… What kind is it? It’s salt and bitter.…”

“You wash yourself with it; it’s good for you!”

“Is it?”

“Sure. It’s warmer than the stream; the streams here-abouts are like ice.…”

“You know best.…”