Page 110 - ramona-text

R A M N A
102
meanor. She had an instinct of kinship to all that was silent,
self-contained, mysterious, in human nature. The more she
observed Alessandro, the more she trusted and approved
him. Luckily for Juan Can, he did not know how matters
were working in his mistress's mind. If he had, he would
have been in a fever of apprehension, and would have got
at swords' points with Alessandro immediately. On the con-
trary, all unaware of the real situation of affairs, and never
quite sure that the Mexican he dreaded might not any day
hear of his misfortune, and appear, asking for the place, he
took every opportunity to praise Alessandro to the Senora.
She never visited his bedside that he had not something to
say in favor of the lad, as he called him.
"Truly, Senora," he said again and again, "I do marvel
where the lad got so much knowledge, at his age. He is
like an old hand at the sheep business. He knows more than
any shepherd I have,—a deal more; and it is not only of
sheep. He has had experience, too, in the handling of cattle.
Juan Jose has been beholden to him more than once, al-
ready, for a remedy of which he knew not. And such mod-
esty, withal. I knew not that there were such Indians; surely
there cannot be many such."
"No, I fancy not," the Senora would reply, absently.
"His father is a man of intelligence, and has trained his son
well."
"There is nothing he is not ready to do," continued Ales-
sandro's eulogist. "He is as handy with tools as if he had
been 'prenticed to a carpenter. He has made me a new splint
for my leg, which was a relief like salve to a wound, so much
easier was it than before. He is a good lad,—a good lad.'*
None of these sayings of Juan's were thrown away on
the Senora. More and more closely she watched Alessandro;
and the very thing which Juan had feared, and which he had
thought to avert by having Alessandro his temporary substi-
tute, was slowly coming to pass. The idea was working in the
Senora's mind, that she might do a worse thing than engage
this young, strong, active, willing man to remain permanently
in her employ. The possibility of an Indian's being so born
and placed that he would hesitate about becoming perma-