'Where are you going?'
'To Romagna; to the Duke Valentino.'
'Is it very far?'
'Several days' journey.'
'Several days!' sighed Francesco; 'then shall we never see you again?'
'Why not? The first minute I can, I will come and see you.'
The boy became thoughtful. Squeezing Leonardo's neck tightly with his two arms, he cried:—
'Take me with you! Oh, Messer Leonardo, take me with you.'
'Alack, my child! How is it possible? There is war there.'
'I don't care for the war. Have I not said that with you I am never afraid? Even if it be more fearsome than it is in this place where we are now, I shall not be afraid. I will be your servant, brush your clothes, carry hay to your horses; and I will seek shells for you, and make you drawings of leaves. Did you not say to me I drew them well? I will do everything like a man. I will obey you in whatever you command. Take me with you, Messer Leonardo!'