Chapter Four.
They Learn to Dance.
It was cold in the mountains, and the children shivered as Carlotta routed them out in the early dawn of the next morning. “Come,” she said crossly, as she set up the forked sticks for the kettle, “bestir yourselves, lazy ones! We are poor people. Do you think we can afford to feed you and wait upon you like servants besides? To-day there must be no more snivelling and whining. Beppo, take the pail and fetch water. You, Beppina, gather sticks for the fire.”
Her wheedling manner was now quite gone. Instead she gave her orders with such a threatening look that the children trembled with fear as they hastened to obey. At a little distance from the spot where they were encamped, a stream, fed by a mountain spring, gushed forth from a pile of rocks, and Beppo, seizing the pail, plunged into the dark pine woods to find it. Beppina followed, and the instant they found themselves alone in the forest, the two hid behind a tree and held a hurried consultation.
“Listen, cocca mia,” whispered Beppo. “I have thought this all out. They do not mean to take us back, ever! They will keep us like slaves to work for them! If we want to see our home again, we must obey everything they say, no matter how hard. Then some day, when they aren’t watching, we will run away. Only not in these mountains! We should only die of hunger and be eaten by the wolves.”
Beppina shuddered. “Oh, Beppo,” she sobbed, “there is a lump in my throat as big as an egg! I cannot swallow it. When I think of Mammina, it seems to me I shall die!”
Beppo gave her a little shake. “But you must be brave,” he said. “Every day we will have a word together, and soon our chance will come.”
“I’ll try, Beppo,” said Beppina, gulping down her sobs.
“Good girl!” said Beppo, patting her approvingly, though his own lips trembled and his voice shook. “Don’t you remember how it is in the fairy tales? The prince always kills the giants and dragons if only he isn’t afraid, even if he has to pass through enchanted forests.”
Beppina looked fearfully over her shoulder. “Oh, Beppo,” she gasped, “I didn’t think of it before, but now I’m sure. This is an enchanted forest, and Carlotta is a witch woman! We must pray always to the Holy Virgin to protect us. Promise me you will!”