some good. This melted
rock, when it becomes cold, forms a light, porous stone, which is
used for polishing. You use it in your bathroom, to rub ink off your
hands. Lava stone is easily ground into powder. When mixed with soap,
this ground lava becomes a useful cleaning and polishing powder."

"Nature is always useful, as well as grand and beautiful," remarked
Fil's father, who, dressed in a white silk suit and abaca hat, had
just then come up the path.

"Where did you get that hat?" I laughingly asked Fil's father.

"I'll tell you some other time. It is made from reeds, woven under
water to keep them damp and pliant. The hat, therefore, is light,
durable, and cool," he replied.

CHAPTER III

AT WORSHIP

When I arose next day and walked to the usual morning seat under the
bamboos, I found only Moro there.

"Where is everybody else?" I asked.

"At the Iglesia (ig lai se'a)," replied Moro.

I knew iglesia was the Philippine word for church; so I said to Moro:
"Let us go there too, and see what they are all doing."

After we had walked along the white shell paths, past the swaying
fisher boats, over an ancient stone bridge, beneath tall palms
and hanging vines and thick bananas, we beheld a wonderfully carved
doorway, with statues in the niches. Over the tree tops, rose a noble
white dome. From the open windows, the sweet singing of sacred music
came to our ears. It was the well-known Mass or communion music of
our own land, consisting of the beautiful strains of the Gloria, the
Sanctus, and the Benedictus. As we came nearer, the breeze wafted
us sweet incense from the altar, sandal and spice and flower and
cinnamon scents.

Though Moro was of a different faith, he took off his hat; so did
I. The short Filipino men were dressed in white. The sweet-looking
Filipino women were dressed in wide-striped skirts, and white waists,
with very large collars starched stiff. Over their heads were large
lace shawls called mantillas. They wore no hats, for they were very
proud to show their fine long hair, filled with gold and jeweled pins.

Every one dipped a finger in the water which was placed in a huge
shell near the door. Then they bowed before the cross on the altar,
which was shining at the end of the long aisle.

In the front seats, under the high dome, we could see Filippa, her
parents, and Favra. The colored light from the stained glass windows
fell down in rays and clouds of beauty upon the altar boys