before any other,--a pine-cone, with a thin wire introduced into each
little opening between the hard scales, and a little figure, made of
sole-leather, perched on the top of each bit of wire. All these tiny
figures shook and nodded so merrily towards each other, and had such
funnily painted little faces, that Silvio could scarcely stop
laughing at them.

Mrs. Menotti had learned from Rico all that he had to tell her of
importance while this play went on,--for she was anxious to learn from
himself that all had gone quietly and safely,--then she turned to the
girl, and greeted her with heartfelt kindness; and Stineli made answer
more with her kindly eyes than with her tongue, for she could not speak
a word of Italian, and had to help herself out with such Romanish words
as she had learned.

But she was quick-witted, and found a way to make herself understood
without difficulty; for, if the right word was wanting, she described
the thing cleverly with her fingers, and by all sorts of signs, which
amused Silvio exceedingly; for it was a kind of game of guessing for him
all the time.

Now Mrs. Menotti went over to the cupboard, where all the service for
the table was kept, and brought out tablecloth and plates, cold
chicken, fruit, and wine; which, when Stineli observed, she hastened
after her to aid her, and did it so neatly and handily that there
remained little for Mrs. Menotti to do; and she stood gazing at the
nimble, willing girl, who had soon served Silvio also, as he lay in
bed, cutting his food for him, and helping him neatly and rapidly,
which pleased the child very much.