what he had seen and done in the world. So the boy told all his story,
and about Mrs. Menotti and Silvio; and explained distinctly that he
wished to take Stineli back with him to Peschiera, if her parents would
consent. Stineli made very big eyes while her friend was talking: she
had not lost one word of his history. Her heart was as if on fire with
joy. To go to Rico's beautiful lake with him, to live with Mrs. Menotti
and her sick son, who was so anxious for her to come,--that would be
happiness indeed!

There was a long silence after this. Stineli's father never decided
hastily. At last he said, "It is true that when one goes among strangers
there is much to be learned; but I cannot let Stineli go,--there can be
no question of that. She is needed here at home; but one of the others
may go,--Trudi, perhaps."

"Yes, yes: that will do," said the mother. "I cannot get along
without Stineli."

Then Trudi raised her head from her plate, and said, "That suits me very
well. There is nothing but children's racket here at home."

Stineli did not speak. She only looked anxiously towards Rico, wondering
if he would not say any thing more since her father seemed so decided,
and whether he would take Trudi with him as proposed. The lad, however,
looked calmly at her father, saying, "No: that won't do at all. It is
precisely Stineli whom the sick boy Silvio wishes, and nobody else; and
he knows very well what he wants. He would only send Trudi home again,
and she would have taken the journey for nothing. Mrs. Menotti told me
to say, that if Stineli got on well with her son, she would give her
every month five gulden to send home to her family, if they cared for