HER MOTHER HAD SENT HER TO DRAW A JAR OF WATER
As Elena panted up the hill she saw Giuseppa outside the cabane or hut, helping her mother with the washing. The baby stood in a high, narrow box where he could look on and yet was out of mischief, and there he waved his arms and shouted with excitement as the suds flew.
‘Where are you going?’ called Giuseppa as Elena passed.
‘To get my ciambella,’ cried Elena. ‘Have you got yours?’
Giuseppa shook her head. ‘I’m not going to have any,’ she said.
‘Not this year,’ added her mother, looking up; ‘perhaps next. But we are going to make the cabane clean for Easter.’
Giuseppa and Elena looked at each other sympathetically.
‘Too bad!’ exclaimed Elena. ‘Well I must hurry. Ciao, Giuseppa.’
‘Ciao, Elena.’ (A parting that is pronounced ‘chow’ and means good-bye.)