"They are going the long and easy way, while we are going the short and steep way," Giorgio said, with much motioning. "If these donkeys are not too lazy, we shall be there first," and he gave them each another quick rap on their backs with his hand.
"You should not strike your donkeys, Giorgio," Molly said. "We can make them go without your help."
"All right," said Giorgio, laughing. "You may try it, but you will never reach Anacapri."
"Oh, yes, we shall!" answered Molly. "Just watch us. Come on, May!"
Then they each pulled quickly on the short reins, but the donkeys did not stir. They patted the donkeys' necks and urged them to go on, just as they did with their ponies at home, but the donkeys only turned their heads and looked with sleepy eyes at their strange little riders. May's donkey even began to nibble the grass at the side of the path. It acted as if it had no thought of going up the hill, while Molly's donkey winked its eyes and stood very still, in spite of all her efforts to make it move.
May's donkey began to nibble the grass at the side of the path
"O Giorgio!" she cried at last. "What are we going to do? I never saw such stupid animals. We shall never reach Anacapri. Father and mother will think we are lost."
Giorgio and Luisa wanted very much to laugh at their anxious little riders, but they were too polite to do so.
"You see," Giorgio said, "our donkeys do not like strange ways. They do not like to have anyone but Luisa and me drive them. They understand what we mean, and our blows do not hurt them."