and then when the Madre is angry I say I didn't do it, and that makes me frightened at the devil. I think the conjuror was the devil. I am not so frightened after I've been to confession. And see, I've got a Breve here that a good father who came to Prato preaching this Easter blessed and gave us all." Here Tessa drew from her bosom a tiny bag carefully fastened up. "And I think the Holy Madonna will take care of me; she looks as if she would; and perhaps if I wasn't idle, she wouldn't let me be beaten."
"If they are so cruel to you, Tessa, shouldn't you like to leave them, and go and live with a beautiful lady who would be kind to you, if she would have you to wait upon her?"
Tessa seemed to hold her breath for a moment or two. Then she said doubtfully, "I don't know."
"Then should you like to be my little servant, and live with me?" said Tito, smiling. He meant no more than to see what sort of pretty look and answer she would give.
There was a flush of joy immediately. "Will you take me with you now? Ah! I shouldn't go home and be beaten then." She paused a little while, and then added more doubtfully, "But I should like to fetch my black-faced kid."
"Yes, you must go back to your kid, my Tessa," said Tito, rising, "and I must go the other way."
"By Jupiter!" he added, as he went from under
