"Write me all about the people you meet and what they say to you, and what you do. Remember that I am still Mamma if I am across the ocean and I shall be waiting to hear. . . . And remember that but few of your ideas of America may be true. Americans are not all the types you have read of or the tourists you have met. You must expect a great difference. . . . I should be strange, myself, now in America."
Maria's quick sensitiveness divined a note of secret yearning.
"Yes, Mamma," she said obediently, tightening her clasp upon her mother's hands.
"You must be on guard against mistakes, Maria Angelina," said the other insistently--as if she had not said that a dozen times before! "Because American girls do things it may be not be wise for you to do. You will be of interest because you are different. Be very careful, my little one."
"As to your money--you understand it must last. There can be little to pay when you are a guest. But send to Papa and me your accounts as I have told you."
"You will not let the American freedom turn your head. You will be wise--Oh, I trust you, Maria Angelina, to be very wise!"
How wise Maria Angelina thought herself! She lifted a face that shone with confidence and understanding and for all her quivering lips she smiled.
"My baby!" said the mother suddenly in English and took that face between her hands and kissed it.
"You will be careful," she began again abruptly, and then stopped.
Too late for more cautions. And the child was so _sage_.
But it was such a little figure that stood there, such young eyes that smiled so confidently into hers. . . . And America was a long, long way off.
The bugles were blowing for visitors to be away. Just one more hurried kiss and hasty clasp.
An overwhelming fright seized upon the girl as the mother went down the ship's ladder into the small boat that put out so quickly for the shore.
Suppose she should fail them! After all she was _not_ so wise--and not so very pretty. And she had no experience--none!
The sun, dancing on the bright waves, hurt Maria Angelina's eyes. She had to shut them, they watered so foolishly. And something in her young breast wanted to cry after that boat, "Take me back--take me back to my home," but something else in her forbade and would have died of shame before it uttered such weakness.