mpart to her a knowledge of both good and evil was, at least at
present, impossible. To force it upon her later would be criminal.
Moreover, _why not try the audacious experiment of permitting and
aiding this child to grow up without a knowledge of evil_?--that is,
in her present conviction that only good is real, potent and
permanent, while evil is impotent illusion and to be met and overcome
on that basis. Would the resultant training make of her a tower of
strength--or would it render her incapable of resisting the onslaughts
of evil when at length she faced the world? His own heart sanctioned
the plan; and--well, the final judgment should be left to Carmen
herself.

The work proceeded joyously. At times Cucumbra interrupted by bounding
in, as if impatient of the attention his little mistress was giving
her tutor. Frequently the inquisitive Cantar-las-horas stalked through
the room, displaying a most dignified and laudable interest in the
proceedings. Late in the afternoon, when the sun was low, Bosendo
appeared at the door. As he stood listening to Jose's narrative of men
and places in the outside world, his eyes bulged. At length his
untutored mind became strained to its elastic limit.

"Is that true, Padre?" he could not refrain from interrupting, when
Jose had spoken of the fast trains of England. "Why, the Simiti trail
to Tachi is one hundred and fifty miles long; and it always took me
six days to walk it. And do you say there are trains that travel that
distance in as many hours?"

"There are trains, Rosendo, that traverse the distance in three
hours."

"_Na_, Padre, it can't be done!" cried the incredulous Rosendo,
shaking his head.

"Leave us, unbeliever!" laughed Jose, motioning him away. "I have more
pliable material here to handle than you."

But Rosendo remained; and it was evident to the priest that he had
come on an errand of importance. Moreover, the supper hour was at
hand, and perhaps Dona Maria needed Carmen's help. So, dismissing the
child, Jose turned to Rosendo.

"You were right," he began, as if taking up the thread of a broken
discourse. "Carmen _was_ left on the river bank by the angels."

"Then you do think it was a miracle!" said Rosendo in a voice of awe,
as he sank into a chair.

The priest smiled. "Everything is a miracle, friend; for a miracle is
simply a sign of God's presence. And finding Carmen in this musty,
forgotten place is one of the greatest. For where she is, He is.