It was then that the unexpected happened. The father, usually so quiet and so busy, suddenly rose from his work-bench and came forward. "Lorente," he said, and Pascual and Riego started at the iron in his tone, "Lorente, it is not the busy men who have quarrel with America. It is those who have time to do--much talking!" There was a pause and dead silence, and then Lorente the magnificent turned on his heel with a growl and left the shop. Then Antonio returned to his work-bench, with Riego following, but Pascual stole to the door and gazed at the receding Lorente till his father called him sharply to his duties. One day the father did not open his shop at all. It was closed in honor of the great American festival, Riego heard him explain grimly to a follower of Lorente, who questioned. And Riego heard the follower of Lorente laugh scornfully as he strode away. There being no work that day, Pascual and Riego set out together to explore the yet farther reaches of America. But they had not gone far past the square where loomed the several American stores when they sighted a crowd in a grove of big trees, and heard voices shouting and hands clapping as if in great joy. A number of gringo soldiers were roving about. Two were coming leisurely toward them across the green. Riego wanted to press forward to see and hear, but his brother jerked him by the sleeve, exclaiming: "It is the Americans' great feast-day, the Fourth of July. Come away!" "But father says _we_ are Americans now. Why can't we go and hear what they are saying?" Riego's voice had risen in his eagerness. The approaching soldiers stopped and looked at him, and Riego's heart stopped, too. But the taller of the soldiers saluted him in fine fashion, and addressed to him words of courteous welcome: "Don Pedro de Alvarado-Rain-in-the-Face-Sitting-Bull, for such as thou art is the picnic! Welcome to our city!" Riego understood the gesture of invitation. He thanked the courtly soldier, and walked proudly forward, followed by his brother. It was a gay scene, but quiet now, for someone was speaking. The starry banner of America fluttered everywhere, and smiling, white-faced señoritas and brown-clad soldiers were gathered here and there in listening groups. Under a tree, near the platform, sat musicians with shining silver horns and a big drum. A number of children were seated on the grass in front of the stand. Among them, Riego noticed, were many dark faces like his own. Suddenly Riego's courage gave way and he started to retreat. But a sweet-faced señora took him by the hand and led him and Pascual to a place where they could see everything, whispering as they went: "It is our day of freedom." At first the boy was dazed by the strangeness of the scene, and his interest shifted. But the sound of a sweet, ringing voice soon compelled his attention and he turned quickly toward the platform. Riego caught his breath. Who was it? _What_ was it that was speaking to him?