"Queridita Ahijada! Plague alecielo qui tu vida Sea feliz y placentera Cual arroyo cristalino Qui atra viesa la pradera Su Padrino, Francesco."[1] This very much delighted every one, and so with laughter and merriment the christening feast was over. FOOTNOTE: [1] "Please God, my little godchild, That your life as pure may be As the laughing brook which through the valley, Runneth ever limpidly. Your Godfather Francesco Wishes fervently." CHAPTER II. SCHOOL-DAYS WHEN Fernando was seven years old he began to go to school. Little Juanita cried bitterly, for she was devoted to the big brother who played such lovely games with her, and she did not like to think of his being away from her nearly all day. However, she was told that Fernando was a big boy now, and that before long she would be having a governess to teach her to read and embroider, so she stopped crying very quickly, for she was a sunny little child, and went to picking flowers in the garden quite contentedly. How grown up Fernando felt! To be a real schoolboy! His school-days were all alike. He arose at half-past seven, when the church-bells were ringing for the daily service; he had a bath, said his prayers, and dressed himself very neatly, for he had first to be looked over by his _aya_, and then inspected by his mamma, to see if he could pass muster, and was clean and neat as a little Spanish gentleman should be. Mamma being satisfied with his appearance, he gave her his morning kiss, and greeted the rest of the family. Then followed breakfast,--a simple, wholesome meal of _semula_, or gruel and warm milk, with bread and honey and eggs.