Stray Leaves from a Border Garden 
The Cure was a meek man, who always agreed with 
every one, so he raised no objections. Luisito was to be a 
church angel. And the widow measured how tall he was* 
and said : “ Come to-morrow evening, that I may try on 
the clothes that I shall make for you.” Imagine the joy 
of the two children as they went home to tell the whole 
story to Tia Ana ! The clothes were very fine. Luisito 
longed for the Day of the Kings to come, when he could 
wear them. But the other children jeered, saying, “ Truly 
the widow has found a fine angel, all in rags ! ” But the 
child who was to be the other angel did not jeer, he was 
the son of Don Benigno, and belonged to a good house, 
where no one laughed at the poor. 
The Day of the Kings came at last, clear and cold, with 
bright sunshine. All the children ran up and down the 
village singing carols : 
He is come, the little Christ-child, 
From the heavens far away ; 
So they come, the Eastern Kings, 
Come and meet them by the way. 
Luisito was at the house of the priest almost too soon, 
but he was afraid of being late. Serafina helped to dress 
him ; the Cure’s sister let her come in. When all was 
done she thought he looked beautiful. He wore a short 
white tunic, trimmed with silver braid, and a silver girdle, 
on his head a crown of artificial roses, and fastened to his 
shoulders pretty white wings. Miguel, the little son of 
Don Benigno, was dressed the same. Then they went to 
the church. At the foot of the altar lay the Child upon 
new clean straw. The two beautiful images of the Virgin 
and San Jose were placed on either side. Then Father 
Anselmo told the little boys to take their places at each 
corner, kneeling on their knees with crossed hands. The 
church filled gradually with people; Serafina stood with 
Tia Ana and looked on. Then came some men of the 
neighbourhood. Jose Ibarra, Pedro Ximenes, and Alfonso 
Allegro, these represented the shepherds, who brought 
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