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"Yes," he said bitterly, "at work for whites; so they are, Majella has not seen. No man will pay an Indian but half wages; even long ago, when the Fathers were not all gone, and tried to help the Indians, my father has told me that it was the way only to pay an Indian one-half that a white man or a Mexican had. It was the Mexicans, too, did that, Majella.
To his slower temperament and saddened nature they seemed preternatural; as if she were all of a sudden changed into a bird, or some gay creature outside the pale of human life, outside and above it. "You speak as the birds sing, my Majella," he said slowly. "It was well to name you Majel; only the wood-dove has not joy in her voice, as you have. She says only that she loves and waits."
Alessandro saw it first. He was now walking, Ramona riding Benito. "Majella!" he cried, in a tone which told her all. In a second she was at the baby's side, with a cry which smote the dying child's consciousness. Once more the eyelids lifted; she knew her mother; a swift spasm shook the little frame; a convulsion as of agony swept over the face, then it was at peace.
His store is the place where everybody stops, everybody goes. I dare not have you go there, Majella; yet I must go. The only way I can get any money is from Mr. Hartsel." "I must wait somewhere while you go!" said Ramona, her heart beating as she gazed ahead into the blackness of the great plain. It looked vast as the sea. "That is the only safe thing, Alessandro."
"Because it was to be that you should call me Majella," said Ramona. "Remember, I am Ramona no longer. That also was the name the Senora called me by and dear Felipe too," she added thoughtfully. "He would not know me by my new name. I would like to have him always call me Ramona. But for all the rest of the world I am Majella, now, Alessandro's Majel!"
"Father Gaspara must be there;" and jumping off his horse, he peered in at the uncurtained window. "A marriage, Majella, a marriage!" he cried, hastily returning. "This, too, is good fortune. We need not to wait long." When the sacristan whispered to Father Gaspara that an Indian couple had just come in, wishing to be married, the Father frowned.
But I will do it; and I will not come home till night, Majella, for the field is too far to go and come twice. I shall be the whole day ploughing." So saying, he stooped and kissed the baby, and then kissing Ramona, went out. Ramona stood at the door and watched him as he harnessed Benito and Baba to the plough.
"He is as fond of the horses as we are ourselves, Alessandro," she said. "They would be well cared for; and then, if we did not like living on the mountain, we could have the horses and wagon again when we came down, or Jos could sell them for us in San Bernardino. Nobody could see Benito and Baba working together, and not want them." "Majella is wiser than the dove!" cried Alessandro.
Majella gives all; Alessandro gives nothing!" and he bowed his forehead on her hands, before he put them back gently on Baba's neck. Tears filled Ramona's eyes. How should she win this saddened man, this distrusting lover, to the joy which was his desert?
They think only Indians will steal cattle. I can tell them, the Mexicans steal more." "I told them there was not an Indian in this village would steal cattle," said Ramona, indignantly. "That was not true, Majella," replied Alessandro, sadly. "When they are very hungry, they will steal a heifer or steer.
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