"You see, you would have lost your money if I'd taken your bet, Señor Waring," said the Cherub.
Never was such a lunch as that we had by the roadside. We all worked at spreading out the contents of the hampers, while the road-mender and his family bustled about, not as inferiors with the hope of a tip, but helping us as friends and hosts.
When we arrived, not a soul was to be seen, save the dwellers in the white box. The only living things beside the trio and ourselves, were the larks that sprang heavenward pouring jewels from throbbing throats, and a few unknown birds of brilliant red and yellow, like drifting flower-petals. But whether these birds carried the news, or whether it blew over the country with the scented wind, certain it is that an audience collected to gaze upon us, as clouds boil up over a clear horizon.
It was not an intrusive crowd that came; neither did they approach offensively near, or stare with vulgar curiosity. It's component members--three or four handsome young mule-drivers, princely in shabbiness; an elderly tiller of the soil, with the eyes and profile of a half-tamed hawk; an old woman and a young girl madonna-like in their hooded cloaks, as they sat their patient donkeys; and a couple of shy children with the eyes of startled deer--hovered, paused, and ruminated, ready to take flight, like wild creatures of the forest, at a rude look or chaffing word.
But they got no rude looks or chaffing words from us, though we dared not smile too invitingly, lest they misunderstand, and flee from us, offended. We bowed gravely; they gravely bowed in return. Then, following a hurried whisper of advice from the tactful Cherub, we continued our meal. But presently, sandwich in hand, he strolled towards the scattered group, mingled with it, and murmured. What he murmured, we in the car and round it could not hear; but the chill uncertainty on those dark faces brightened into sympathetic amusement.
"He's telling them about ourselves and the automobile," chuckled Pilarcita. "Oh, I know him! He's probably making up nonsense about the car and its workings. In another minute they'll be his slaves, and friends of us all."
As she whispered, the plump figure sauntered back. "I think that now it's safe to offer them a share of our food," said he, in the manner of one who imparts a delicious secret. "They are dying for some; but they'll refuse unless we go about it in the right way, for they're as proud as we are."