“I suppose everyone is wondering what’s going on,” he said.
Everyone but the children looked at him.
“What I’m going to do is ask Father Welner if he will please interrupt me whenever I go wrong.”
Welner’s eyes were wary. But he said, “Of course.”
“Do you want to burden Sister María Isabel with this, Father?” Clete asked politely.
In other words, am I supposed to trust her to keep her mouth shut?
“Well, I think Sister María Isabel should hear what you have to say,” Welner said. “But if I might make a suggestion, Sister?”
She looked at him suspiciously, but nodded.
“I was thinking that it might save a good deal of time, Sister, if we sent Sister María Encarnación into Dolores to get our guests some regular clothing.”
Sister María Isabel nodded.
“And perhaps Enrico could go with her, to see about clothing for the boys and men?” Welner went on.
Rodríguez looked at Clete, who nodded.
“Enough for several days, Sister,” Welner said. “Just ordinary clothing, until we can get our guests settled.”
“You have money, Enrico?” Clete asked.
“I’ll get him some from your desk,” Dorotea said. “Don’t start your explanation until I get back.”
Father Welner looked at Clete and explained, “This way, the sisters can return with the bus to Buenos Aires more quickly. I’m sure it’s needed there.”
Frade turned to Sister María Isabel. “Why don’t you give Rodríguez everyone’s shoe and other sizes,” he said.
Dorotea was back with a thick wad of currency before Enrico had finished writing down the sizes. She handed it to him, then turned to Welner.
“Do you think we should send the children down to the stables, Father? Have the grooms put them on a horse?”
“Dorotea, I think that’s a very good idea,” Welner said. “Sister?”
Sister María Isabel gave him a dirty look but motioned to one of the nuns.
“Be careful with them, Sister,” she ordered.
“I’ll send one of the girls to go with them,” Dorotea said.
“That probably would be useful, Señora,” Sister María Isabel said.
Dorotea went to the kitchen door, pushed it open, and said, “Elisa, I need someone to show Sister and the children the way to the stable.”
One of the maids instantly appeared.
The nun said in German, “Come with me, children,” and they immediately pushed themselves away from the table and walked to where she was waiting at the door.
Not with reluctance.
But not with excitement at the prospect of getting a ride on a horse.
Rather, just because somebody is telling them to; has issued an order.