Steadfast conviction, fearlessly voiced, rang through her speech. What she said she meant with all of the fiery ardor of her being. Her words spoke her thought. Whatever the fate which she judged was hers to fulfil, she accepted it with a fervor not unlike some ecstatic religious devotion. Of all this he was confident on the instant; she might surround herself with colorful accessories but her purpose was none the less serious. "Symbols, if you like," she said carelessly--she had been staring at him profoundly and well might have glimpsed something of his train of thought--"as are statues and pictures symbols in the Roman church. My bright colored bird is older now than you will be, or I, when we die. Age, bright feathers and chatter! My puma means much to me that you would not understand, being of another race. Further, did you or another lift a hand against his mistress he would tear out your throat." "You have had me brought here for some purpose?" said Kendric. She sat forward, straight in her chair, her two hands gripping the carved arms. "Did I not tell you when first we spoke together that I had use for you? Since then have I not sent myself into your thoughts many times? Did I not come to you, that you should remember, on the boat that brought you here?" "I am no man for mysteries," he said. "Tell me: Did you somehow get aboard the _New Moon_ at San Diego? Or did my fancy play me a trick?" "You ask me questions!" she mocked. "When you would believe what pleased you, no matter what word I spoke! If I said that across the miles, over mountain and desert and water I sent my spirit to you--would you believe?" "No. Not when there are other readier explanations." She raised a quick hand and pointed to the parrot. "Chatter! Questions put when you do not expect an answer. A hundred years of words and only a red and yellow bundle of feathers at the end. It is deeds we want, Señor Americano, you and I!" He returned her look steadily. "Then tell me what you want of me," he said. "And in one word I'll give you yes or no." "That is man talk!" she cried. "And yet, Señor Jim Kendric, there come times even in a man's life when the yes or no is spoken for him." She paused for him to drink in all that her statement meant. Then, when he remained silent, his eyes hostile upon hers, she went on, her speech quick and passionate. "There are great happenings on foot, American. There will be war and death; there will be tearing down and building up. And it is I who will direct and it is you who will take my orders and make them law. And in the end I shall be a Zoraida whom the world shall know and you shall be a mighty man, _the_ man of Mexico." "Fine words!" It was his time to mock, his time to glance at the ancient bird.