Ist sie unser Schutzengel, Mutter?

Felix Schlesinger (1833-1910) Maria slept late, well into daylight and was treated to the German’s hospitality again. They had all prepared for the trek south and had Alanza ready and Maria’s traps packed and ready to go. They had her breakfast, including hot coffee, waiting for when she awakened.
She sat up and stretched and had begun to eat when she felt a light touch behind her and looked around. The smallest girl was standing behind her, stroking her long raven-colored hair. The child was beautiful and exotic. Maria had never seen such lovely hair on anyone. It was like corn silk or spun gold and the little one looked over at her mother. “Ist sie unser Schutzengel, Mutter?”
Her mother smiled as she worked and looked on at Maria reverently. “Ja, mein Liebling, das ist sie.”
Ulla came over and smiled at Maria. “She wants to know if you are our guardian angel. And, she loves your hair.”
Maria turned and held out her arms. The child came into them and sat on Maria’s lap. She was about the age that her little Rosario would have been now, had she lived. She breathed in the scent of her hair and then held it up next to her own. She took a handful of each and braided her hair with the child’s, “Like night and day, little one.”
The child nodded, “Ja, mein Dame, ja.” Maria's Trail