But Rosendo remained; and it was evident to the priest that he had come on an errand of importance. Moreover, the supper hour was at hand, and perhaps Doña Maria needed Carmen's help. So, dismissing the child, Josè turned to Rosendo. "You were right," he began, as if taking up the thread of a broken discourse. "Carmen _was_ left on the river bank by the angels." "Then you do think it was a miracle!" said Rosendo in a voice of awe, as he sank into a chair. The priest smiled. "Everything is a miracle, friend; for a miracle is simply a sign of God's presence. And finding Carmen in this musty, forgotten place is one of the greatest. For where she is, He is." "Yes, Padre, that is true," assented Rosendo gravely. "I was led here," continued Josè; "I see it now. Rosendo, all my life I have regarded evil as just as real and powerful as good. And my life has been one of bitterness and woe. Carmen sees only the good God everywhere. And she dwells in heaven. What is the logical inference? Simply that my mental attitude has been all wrong, my views erroneous, my thinking bad. I have tried to know both good and evil, to eat of the forbidden tree. And for so doing I was banished from paradise. Do you understand me?" "Why--well, no, Padre--that is, I--" The honest fellow was becoming confused. "Well, just this, then," explained the priest with animation. "I haven't gotten anywhere in life, and neither have you, because we have limited ourselves and crippled our efforts by yielding to fear, pride, ignorance, and the belief in evil as a real power opposed to good." "I have often wondered myself, Padre, how there could be a devil if God is almighty. For in that case He would have had to make the devil, wouldn't He?" "Just so!" cried Josè enthusiastically. "And as He did make everything, then either He made the devil, or else there isn't any." "But that is pretty hard to see, Padre," replied the puzzled Rosendo. "Something makes us do wicked things." "Simply the belief that there is a power apart from God." "But doesn't that belief come from the devil?" "Surely--the devil of imagination! Listen, Rosendo: Carmen is daily putting into practice her instinctive knowledge of a mighty fact. She will reveal it all to us in due time. Let us patiently watch her, and try to see and understand and believe as she does. But in the meantime, let us guard our minds as we would a treasure house, and strive never to let a thought of evil get inside! My past life should serve as a perpetual warning." Rosendo did not reply at once, but sat staring vacantly at the ground. Josè knew that his thoughts were with his wayward daughter. Then, as if suddenly remembering the object of his call, he took from his wallet two letters, which he handed to Josè with the comment: "Juan brought them up from Bodega Central this morning."