Carmella Commands
“Then you could not command your boy,” said Maria simply.
“But your children—they behave—and you⸺”
“I spika da Eenglish,” said Maria, in her new tongue.
“What?”
“I have learned to speak the Inglesi. I speak the language of my children.”
“You? When? How long? You!”
“Since a long time,” said Maria, fibbing easily. And she went on:
“You cannot command children who speak other than you do. I tried, and could not do it. So I learned to speak the American. It is a silly language, with many rules. But it can be learned.”
“Mio Dio! Where did you learn, Maria?”
“At Hope House.”
“I go with you next time.” said Mrs. Pieri.
[260]
