‘How they neglect them when they’re young, and their bones soft and pliant!’ said Gaetana sternly. ‘What parents are about nowadays I can’t imagine. I used to crouch into a flower-pot when I was five years old; ay, and spring out of it too when the Fairy Queen touched the flower!’
Gerald could with great difficulty restrain the burst of laughter this anecdote of her early life provoked.
‘Oh, come with us; stay with us,’ whispered Marietta in his ear.
‘If thou hast been taught the offices, boy,’ said Babbo, ‘thou deservest an honester life than ours. Leave us, then; go thy ways, and walk in better company.’
‘Corpo del diavolo!’ screamed out the hag. ‘It’s always so with him. He has nothing but hard words for the trade he lives by.’
‘Stay with us; stay with us,’ whispered the girl, more faintly.
‘Thou mightst have a worse offer, lad; for who can tell what’s in thee? I warrant me, thou ‘It never be great at jumping tricks,’ said Babbo.
‘Wilt stay?’ said Marietta, as her eyes swam in tears.
‘I will,’ said Gerald, with a glance that made her cheek crimson.