"Of their needles, I suppose."
"If they do, they are better than I am," said Vittoria, almost with a groan. "Oh, Giulia, don't believe it!"
"Well, I suppose nonsense of some sort may pass through their heads," said Giulia, rather uneasily. "How am I to keep it out?"
"By putting something better in. Not merely by preaching and praying, but by supplying proper, innocent food for their imaginations and fancies. You know I read my girls pleasant tales and dialogues sometimes, and lend them books of poetry and history."
"Well, your girls are certainly better conducted than mine," said Giulia. "They giggle less."
"A canister with very little in it always rattles," said Vittoria. "I hate giggling."
"So do I; and, do you know, my dear Vittoria, that is one reason why I have so little to say to my maids."
"It is the very reason why you should say the more. You should fill the canisters."
"I will try then," said the ingenuous Giulia, "when I return to Fondi."