Pascual and Riego went to Miss Arden's class--Pascual sullen and uninterested, Riego breathlessly eager. But they had not attended many times--indeed, had just begun to glimpse something of the bigness and goodness of their new country--when the stroke fell that was to change their little world. The good father dropped at his work-bench, speechless and bewildered. The American doctor said he would be able to work again, but that his mind would never be quite the same. Their wise father thus reduced to childishness, and their mother ignorant of the new conditions and the new tongue, the boys were left to plan for themselves. Pascual left Miss Arden's class. He explained that he would now have to take charge of his father's shop; but he found time to make many trips across the dark Rio Grande and to talk much with Lorente, who now resumed his old practice of dropping in at the shop to chat. His younger brother, however, continued under the señorita's instruction. Riego learned at Miss Arden's class that "freedom" gives one the right to do as he wishes only in so far as he does not wish to interfere with the rights of another. "There is no 'freedom' except in loyal obedience to law," she told him one day. "America is a 'free' country because--though here are gathered people from all lands--they join together in making laws which are kind and impartial to all, and they stand together in support of the laws they make." "But, señorita, Alonzo Lorente says--" began the boy, and stopped short. "What does Alonzo Lorente say?" the señorita asked quickly. "I--I promised not to tell," stammered the child. There was the blue truth of heaven in the señorita's eyes as she looked into his own, and answered: "Riego, it is more than dishonest in Lorente to accept the blessings which America affords him and not be true to her. It is worse than traitorous in him to help spoil the peace of the country which is his refuge from oppression. If Alonzo Lorente likes the old way better than the new, he should go back to the old country. If he honestly wishes to change what he finds here, and thinks he can better things, he has one man's just share in deciding, for he is a naturalized citizen and can vote on any question. But Alonzo Lorente _should speak out openly or else keep silent_!" Before Riego left that afternoon Miss Arden had him repeat with her: "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands, One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." But little Riego did not dream in how short a time would his loyalty to his new country be tested. One afternoon--his father was still lying unconscious--Riego was tending the shop alone, for Pascual had crossed the Rio Grande in the early morning and had not yet returned.