assembled now; he shall strike the first furrow with it in the land Gertrudis brings to him. Yes; that is so."
"The wedding is a month or more away yet; there will be plenty of time for your plow. But I shall not be here for their happy day."
"They will miss you, as I will miss you when my day comes, Doña Magdalena."
"Your day? What, Borromeo? have you found a lady?"
"A man wants to stay in California, after all, especially when Juan is to remain," Borromeo shied from the question bashfully.
"So you are to be married! And I wonder who the lady is? I am envious of her good fortune, dear Borromeo."
"Well, she isn't so much of a lady, little Maria"
"Maria? Oh, she is as sweet as the morning!"
"She is half Castilian, anyway, and that is better than a man can expect in this country."
"She is the best girl in the village, such a housekeeper, so quick with the needle."
"She doesn't eat bugs, worms revolt her. A man can have a Christian home with her, doña."
"You will have the finest shirts, Borromeo! Maria is a treasure, you are a fortunate man."
"Yes, Padre Ignacio is going to release me when I am married at Christmas time. Then I am going to the pueblo and start a shop. There will be business for a man who knows his trade, Juan will speak
