He had not known that the dog belonged to the Marionette show.
"You are not satisfied with telling lies," went on the excited old woman. "But now you must steal besides! Come, you child of Satan!"
She threw a tattered shawl about her shoulders.
"We are going to take the dog back to Guido!" she announced.
She led Tony away briskly. She was a witch-like old woman. But still, she had cared for Tony since his parents had died and left him alone.
She had cared for him in giving him a home and something to eat. But that was all. She had not tried to teach him the things that real parents teach their children—things like the beauty of truth. Perhaps if she had done this, Tony might have been different.
As it was, he was a lying little rascal with the face of an angel. He had no thought but for song and story—and, of course, for animals!
| IN FRONT OF THE MARIONETTE THEATRE |
They found Guido at his tiny theatre. The old woman pushed Tony up to the Marionette Man, the dog nestling in his arms.
"Here is your dog, Mr. Guido!" The old woman's voice was sharp like her nose. Tony, who liked beautiful sounds, hated to hear her talk.