Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/56

 the first and only crowned head to occupy a throne in North America since its settlement by Europeans.

The first Sunday morning after taking possession of our house, I was sitting in the sunshiny court alone, every one, even the mozo, being absent. The bells from perhaps half a dozen churches answered each other across the bright air, reminding me with some painfulness of the church bells in my American home, the thought of which had filled my mind with longings all the morning, as I saw the gayly dressed populace hurrying past on their way to mass. Suddenly there was a gentle tap on the ponderous outer door. Responding, I found myself confronted by a tall youth of perhaps sixteen, fair, rosy cheeked, black haired, dark eyed, and beautiful. He lifted his hat politely and said in good English, "Good-morning, Madame!"

The sound of my dear native tongue in a land of strangers and from the lips of one of them brought my heart into my mouth with delight and surprise. My visitor introduced himself as Jesus, taking care to spell his name plainly for me, and I fear my face betrayed my horror at the sight of an ordinary mortal endowed with that holy name. He informed me with considerable hesitation that he was a student in the college, and wished to call frequently to have an opportunity of conversing in English.

Having obtained permission to call whenever it pleased him, he asked if he might bring a friend. Accordingly, Antero P—— was introduced —another promising youth, equally determined to improve his English. They soon brought others, and among my most pleasing recollections are the occasions when the college boys— sometimes a dozen — gathered about me on Sunday mornings, with bright, dark faces, flashing eyes, and determined expression, as they wrestled with the difficulties of our language. Their great deference and thoughtfulness for me added to the pleasure I derived from their visits, — for the advantage was mutual. I learned the Spanish while they conquered the English.

I could not but pity the other members of our party who so languished with home sickness that they quite failed to reap the pleasure I did from this study of the natives.