"Why do you come to me first?
What can I do for you?
I will take you at once to Cortez, and when I tell him that you were my friend, and were so kind and good to the slave girl, he will welcome you most warmly." "Yes, Malinche; but that is why I wanted to see you first alone.
You remember that I told you all about the Spaniards, and how they owned the islands, and would some day surely come to Mexico; but that I belong to another white people, who are forbidden by the Spaniards, under pain of death, to come to these parts.

They must not know that I am not of their nation.
"You see, I cannot speak their tongue.

I see that you have learned it fast, for I saw Cortez speaking to you." "What are we to do, then ?" the girl asked, with a puzzled look.
"When they find that you cannot speak their language, they will, of course, see that you are not of their people." "Yes, Malinche; but they might think that I had forgotten it.

That is just where I want you to help me.

If you take me to Cortez, and tell him that, years ago, a ship was wrecked on the coast of Tabasco, and that all were drowned except a little white boy; and that he was brought up at Tabasco, and that you were great friends with him, until he was sold to some Mexican traders--they will think that I have altogether forgotten my native language.