Stray Leaves from a Border Garden 
they entered the village, each one would go to its own 
home, and Uncle Jose would arrive at the end of the village 
with one goat only — that of the neighbour, Tia Manuela. 
Then Luisito and Serafina would sit under the chestnut- 
tree and eat their little mess together. Christmas-time was 
now at hand, and it was cold weather. Serafina used to 
pick sticks in the wood, and in the evening they used to 
sit round the old brasero, with its glowing charcoal heart, 
and try to feel warm. Christmas did not bring much joy 
to Luisito and Serafina. Tia Ana was a lonely friendless 
old woman, who could do but little for them. But she 
did make them a cake with flour and raisins given to her 
by the wife of Don Benigno, the richest farmer in the 
village, who had much money to spend. She also took 
the children to see the new-born Child lying in state in the 
village church. Oh ! the beautiful waxen Christ-child 
lying on the straw, with the Holy Virgin in her blue robe 
bending over Him, and San Jose looking on, and the little 
ox and mule just like the real ones ! Luisito was delighted. 
“ But,” said he to Serafina, “ why are there no pigs ? ” 
And the church smelled of incense and of the rosemary 
bushes stuck round about the altar. All the villagers were 
there in their best clothes, and they sang carols, 
Oh the glorious, the great high day, 
Three kings came by the king’s highway, 
One with incense, one with gold, 
One was black, as I’ve been told, 
and litanies to Our Lady the Blessed Virgin, till the oil 
burnt low in the lamps and it was time to go home. Now 
after Christmas Day, as they were sitting one evening before 
going to bed, Serafina said : “ Do you know, Luisito, Uncle 
Curro’s Tita told me that on this Day of the Kings the 
sister of the Cure is going to dress up some of the children 
as angels, and they will stand in the church to receive the 
Kings. Oh ! it will be fine ; and Tita says they do not 
know as yet who will be the children chosen. Oh ! if it 
could be you, Luisito ! ” “ Nonsense, silly child ! ” cried 
62 
