It was difficult to make certain that this lusty Italian understood; but even in the dim light, her dark eyes seemed kind and full of smiling glints, and her ruddy cheeks dimpled all over like a big tufted pin cushion, giving Nora a feeling of security mingled with curiosity.
Why did Vita come up? There was no draft from any window. Was there even a window?
“I tell you, baby,” the woman began, as if answering Nora’s silent questions, “you be a very good little girl and go down to the pretty sun-gold room; yes?”
The big warm arm was cuddling the little form in the bed, and Cap was so happy he put both paws gingerly on the coverlet, snapping a very short bark of a question right into Nora’s face.
“Quiet, boy!” whispered Nora. “We are having a lovely party but we must not wake our neighbors.”
The big shaggy head burrowed down into the covers, and Nora felt like a little queen on a throne with her servants bowing at her feet.
“Go on, Vita,” she ordered grandly.
“I tell you a nice little story, then you go downstairs on tippy toes, yes?”
“But Vita dear, I did so want to stay up here,” pouted Nora.
“It is no good up here. All crazy like, and make you scared—awful.” This was said in a very positive tone.