"Perdon usted por Dios, hermano!" ("Excuse us,
brother, for God's sake!") was the reply- the usual mode in Spain of
refusing a beggar.
"I turned away," said he, "with shame greater than my hunger, for my
heart was yet too proud. I came to a river with high banks, and
deep, rapid current, and felt tempted to throw myself in: 'What should
such an old, worthless, wretched man as I live for?' But when I was on
the brink of the current, I thought on the blessed Virgin, and
turned away. I travelled on until I saw a country-seat at a little
distance from the road, and entered the outer gate of the
court-yard. The door was shut, but there were two young senoras at a
window. I approached and begged. 'Perdon usted por Dios, hermano!'-
and the window closed.
"I crept out of the court-yard, but hunger overcame me, and my heart
gave way: I thought my hour at hand, so I laid myself down at the
gate, commended myself to the Holy Virgin, and covered my head to die.
In a little while afterwards the master of the house came home. Seeing
me lying at his gate, he uncovered my head, had pity on my gray hairs,
took me into his house, and gave me food. So, senores, you see that
one should always put confidence in the protection of the Virgin."
The old man was on his way to his native place, Archidona, which was
in full view on its steep and rugged mountain. He pointed to the ruins
of its castle.
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