"
For there was a trail of dark red over the child's thin oval cheeks
which made her look strangely unlike herself. As she caught our eyes
fixed upon her she suddenly stopped her climbing and came and sat at
Christine's feet. "Some day I shall wear robes like the senora's," she
said, passing her hand over the soft fabric; "and I think," she added
after some slow consideration, "that my face will be like the senora's
too."
Edward burst out laughing. The little creature stopped abruptly and
scanned his face.
"Do not tease her," I said.
Quick as a flash she veered around upon me. "He does not tease me," she
said angrily in Spanish; "and, besides, what if he does? I like it." She
looked at me with gleaming eyes and stamped her foot.
"What a little tempest!" said Christine.
Then Edward, man-like, began to explain. "You could not look much like
this lady, Felipa," he said, "because you are so dark, you know."
"Am I dark?"
"Very dark; but many people are dark, of course; and for my part I
always liked dark eyes," said this mendacious person.
"Do you like my eyes?" asked Felipa anxiously.
"Indeed I do: they are like the eyes of a dear little calf I once owned
when I was a boy."
The child was satisfied, and went back to her place beside Christine.
"Yes, I shall wear robes like this," she said dreamily, drawing the
flowing drapery over her knees clad in the little linen trousers, and
scanning the effect: "they would trail behind me--so.
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