Kitabı oku: «Little Tony of Italy», sayfa 3

Tony crouched lower and winced. "A thief like Guido!" The words had a dreadful sound.

"I should like to train that boy," remarked Anna's father. "I would discipline him!"

The gentleman looked very fierce as he said this. He frightened Tony, who hated discipline!

But if Tony had known exactly what he meant, he would not have been frightened. Anna's father had always wanted a son of his own. He would have been very proud of a son.

He would have taught him to be a loyal Italian. For Anna's father was a real patriot.

Robert Browning, the poet, has said, "Open my heart and you will see inside of it – Italy." If Anna's father had been a poet, he might have said something like this.

"Dinner is ready," announced Anna's mother.

Tony watched as the family left the room. He knew that they had gone into the dining room. He waited patiently beneath the window until they returned.

When they came back, Anna's father eased himself into an armchair.

"Come, little Anna," he said. "I am going to read to you."

Anna crawled on to his lap with Tina clasped lovingly in her arms. Tina had a puffed, happy look, as if she, too, had dined well!

Tony smiled to himself. He was going to hear Anna's father read stories. No one had ever read to Tony. He loved reading.

The night was warm. The moon shone. The window was open. Tony listened.

Would you like to listen, too?

Very well.

Wouldn't Anna's father be surprised if he knew about his big audience? Under the window is a poor Italian boy – Tony. Out in the great United States are other boys and girls – you who are reading this tale!

So be very quiet and don't make a noise for fear of disturbing Anna's father while he reads.

Let us crouch under the window with Tony!

CHAPTER IV
ROME

"Tonight," began Anna's father, "we are going to read about one of our Italian cities. Many fine stories have come out of it.

"Rome is called 'The Eternal City' because there is a saying that it will live forever. It is built upon seven hills.

"A long time ago there lived a great artist named Michelangelo. He built the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. This is the largest church in the world. Thirty services may be conducted in it at the same time.

"The bones of St. Peter are believed to have been buried beneath the Cathedral.

"But the oldest church of all is the Pantheon, which means 'all the Gods,' It was built when people worshipped more than one God. It has no windows but only a hole in the top called an 'eye.' Today it is the burial ground of renowned writers and artists.

"Near Rome are the famous catacombs. It was here that the early Christians buried their dead.

"The catacombs are long, narrow passages with graves built into the walls, one above the other. When the Christians were not allowed to worship in their own way, they often fled to these underground cemeteries to pray.

"There is a curious park in Rome," went on the father. "One which you, little Anna, would like."

Anna looked up. "Why, Papa?" she asked.

"Because it is filled with cats," answered her father. "Tabbies and Tommies, black and white, grey and yellow. They wander about and sprawl in the shade of fine old trees. They have plenty to eat and nothing to fear. It is a kitty paradise!"

"I want to go to that park some day," said Anna.

"There is a magic fountain in Rome," read her father. "It is said that he who drinks from the Fontana Trevi will some day be drawn back to The Eternal City.

"The Appian Way is sometimes called The Queen of Roads. It was a great highway built by the ancient Romans. Parts of it are still in use.

"These ancient Romans were very clean. They dotted their city with many fine public baths. We are able to see by the ruins how very handsome they were.

"Outdoor theatres, called 'circuses,' were also numerous. The oldest of these is the Circus Maximus, where races were held.

"The Colosseum is a huge outdoor arena where slaves and criminals were thrown to hungry lions. People sat about and enjoyed the show.

"Of course the poor men were killed. But the audience watched this terrible sport as naturally as we, today, watch a tennis game. They pitied the victims no more than we pity the tennis balls!"

Anna squirmed unhappily. "Now read something nice," she said. "The story of Romulus and Remus, because I like the good wolf."

Her father smiled and turned a page. Always stories about animals for little Anna!

"Here we are," he said. "The old myth goes that Romulus and Remus were twin babies, cast upon the River Tiber by a jealous king. Their basket floated ashore and was found by a mother wolf.

"Taking pity on the babies, she brought them to her cave and cared for them. But at last the good wolf was killed by hunters and Romulus and Remus, now grown boys, ran away.

"A herdsman found them and gave them a home. They were very wild and strong and they were wonderful hunters.

"One day they learned the story of their lives. They discovered that they were really meant to be kings. So they determined to punish their enemy and take their rightful place in the world.

"Remus was killed in battle, but Romulus became the first king of Rome.

"The legend tells that, at this time, there were very few women in Rome. Romulus wished his people to marry women of the neighboring cities. But the neighbors refused to marry the Romans.

"So Romulus invited a people called The Sabines to a great feast. During the entertainment the Romans seized the young Sabine women and carried them off. Later, however, this savage act was forgotten and the two nations became one.

"In 218 B.C. Rome suffered a defeat. Hannibal, a great general of ancient Carthage, crossed the tall Alps and attacked the Romans.

"His army consisted of 90,000 foot soldiers, 12,000 horsemen, and 37 elephants. This march over the Alps is considered one of the most wonderful military feats of ancient days.

"Nero was one of the most wicked emperors who ever ruled Rome. In the year 64 a terrible fire broke out. For six days flames swept the city. Yet Nero made no attempt to stop the fire nor to help the suffering people.

"Some say that the cruel Emperor played upon his fiddle while Rome burned.

"After the World War there came to Rome a new kind of King. He was really not a king at all but…"

"Il Duce! (The Commander!)" interrupted Anna.

"Yes, my dear," agreed her father. "His name was Benito Mussolini, the great chief of Italy.

"Mussolini was a poor boy, the son of a blacksmith. Like wicked Nero, he sometimes played upon his fiddle. But while he played, Rome did not burn. It grew.

"He founded a new system of government called Fascism.

"A wise man once was asked, 'What is the best quality for a child to have?' He replied, 'Obedience,' 'And the second best?' 'Obedience,' 'And the third?' 'Obedience!'

"This is what the Fascist teachers believe. Their moral is: 'Be strong to be pure. Be pure to be strong,' Il Duce has taught our people this wonderful lesson.

"At one time there were many lazy ones in Italy. Now we work and clean and teach. It is better that way. Italy is a beautiful land. It is worth working for."

Tony, under the window, felt a great pride in his heart. He began to see ahead into the future when he would be an Italian soldier. He would fight for beautiful Italy!

He waggled his head back and forth against the side of the house. He muttered to himself, "Viva Italia! (Hurrah for Italy!) Viva! Viva… Ouch!" he cried suddenly.

He had bumped his head!

CHAPTER V
TONY AND ANNA

"Did I hear a noise outside?" asked Anna's father.

Anna hugged Tina. "It must have been a little mama animal putting its babies to bed," she said.

Her father sighed. Some day Anna would be a little mama herself. That was what Mussolini wanted all of Italy's women to be.

But Anna's father would so have liked a son. One who would be more interested in the Balilla than in "little mama animals."

Yet he loved his daughter very dearly. He now kissed her dark curls as he said, "It is time for bed, mia cara (my dear). Tomorrow night more stories."

Anna sat up in his arms. Tina awoke and blinked.

"Before I go to bed, I must put Niki to bed, too," said Anna.

Her father answered, "Then we must make a house for her."

Tony saw him open a chest of drawers and take out some curious things.

"Now," he said to his daughter, "Come into the back garden, and we shall see what kind of house-builder I am!"

Tony watched them leave the room and saw a light switch on in the hallway. Then the back door opened. Father, daughter, and dog went into the garden.

They found an old crate with the top missing. They covered it with what appeared to be a fancy tablecover. They tied the little dog securely to the side.

"There!" said Anna's father. "It looks like a tent on the desert. Niki will feel like an Arabian Princess!"

Anna stooped down and caressed her pet.

"Felicissima notte, Niki," said Anna. This meant "Happiest night, Niki," and it is what the Italians say for "Good-night."

When Anna and her father had left, Tony ran over to the kennel-tent. Tina nearly wagged herself to pieces with joy. Tony sank down beside her. He buried his head in her soft hair.

"Ah, Tina mia (my Tina)!" he said. "I thought they had taken you from me forever! But I have found you again."

He started to untie the dog. He would run away with her. Far away! Never back to Guido! Guido was a thief. A man who stole little dogs!

Then, suddenly, Tony remembered that he, too, was about to steal a little dog! He, too, would be a thief if he did that. Tina did not belong to him. She belonged to little Anna.

But how could he bear to leave Tina? A tear ran down his cheek. Tina licked it sadly. She seemed to know what he was thinking about.

How he longed to snuggle up close to the little dog and go fast asleep. Just as he had done every night since he went to live with Guido.

Why did Anna have to love Tina, too?

He would stay. Just tonight. He would crawl into Tina's tent with her. In the morning he could decide what to do. He was so sleepy now.

He yawned, brushed his tears away, and wriggled into the tent. He curled up in there, with Tina in his arms.

But just as sleep came creeping over him, a sound was heard in the garden. Tony gave a start and opened his eyes. Tina gave a low growl.

Tony looked out and saw a white figure approaching the tent. It was Anna. She was coming back to see her new-found Niki once more.

She would find Tony there. She would tell her father! What should he do? His heart began to thump. He lay quite still.

"Niki!" whispered Anna, softly.

Silence.

"Niki!" repeated Anna. "I have come to kiss you good-night. Here, Niki!"

She bent down in front of the tent and looked in. It was dark inside. Tony lay flat on the floor and kept very quiet.

Anna put her hand inside the tent and felt for her pet. Tina tried to hide from the hand, but it found her and lifted her out tenderly.

Anna caressed the dog and spoke gently to her.

"Now, Niki," she said. "You shall go back to bed and mama will cover you up."

She had brought with her a doll's blanket. She put Tina back into the tent and tried to make her lie down flat. She could do this so easily with her dolls.

But, somehow, Tina was different. Tina did not want to lie down flat! The real reason for this was because Anna was spreading Tina on Tony's face!

The poor dog struggled and kicked. The poor boy tried his best to lie still and make no noise. But would you enjoy a dog plastered upon your face?

So Tony wriggled. He snorted. He sneezed.

Anna saw. She heard. She started and gave a little cry. Tony's head came out of the tent like a turtle's head coming out of its shell.

"Hush!" said Tony.

Anna drew back. "Who are you?" she gasped.

"I'm Tony," he replied. "Please let me stay here with Tina tonight. Tomorrow I'll go away."

Then Anna recognized him. "Oh," she exclaimed. "You are that naughty Marionette boy who told a lie! I am going to call my father!"

She turned toward the house but Tony quickly caught her arm.

"No, no!" he pleaded. "I mean no harm. I love the little dog. Let me stay. Only one night. Do not tell your father – please!"

In the moonlight Anna could see that tears filled his eyes. She began to feel sorry for him.

"Are you a very poor little boy?" she asked, innocently.

"Oh, yes, very, very poor!" he moaned. "I have no home. No mother. No father. Everyone is cruel to me. The little dog was my only friend, and now you have taken her from me."

Tony was born with the Italian gift for beautiful acting. He now acted his best for Anna. While some of his pitiful tale was true, some was sprinkled with the fairy dust of fancy.

"Every morning Guido beats me," he made up. "He uses a big stick. And when he stops beating me, he makes me sing to him. Then, all day long he feeds me bird-seed mixed with soap and nothing else!"

Anna's gentle eyes grew wider and wider, her tender heart softer and softer.

Tony warmed to his work. His success encouraged him. He began to gesture with his arms. He began to invent wild tales.

"Often I fall upon the streets because I am so hungry," he continued. "When it rains, Guido makes me lie outside the whole night through.

"One morning, when I awoke, I found myself in a pool of water. I had to swim all the way home!"

The little girl's lip began to tremble. This gave Tony added courage. He drew a deep breath. His style improved.

"And once I was thrown over a cliff. Lions came prowling…"

He stopped, for little Anna had begun to cry.

"Oh, you poor boy!" she sobbed. "I am so sorry for you! I shall tell my father and mother. They will take care of you."

"No, you must not do that," said Tony, quickly. "If your father knows I am here, he will discipline me!"

"But my father is good," said Anna.

"That is why he will discipline me," replied Tony. "Because I am bad."

Now, to a very little girl like Anna, that seemed sensible enough. She believed what Tony told her. She even believed that her father might not be kind to the beggar boy. Often her father was very severe.