"That is why he will discipline me," replied Tony. "Because I am bad."
Now, to a very little girl like Anna, that seemed sensible enough. She believed what Tony told her. She even believed that her father might not be kind to the beggar boy. Often her father was very severe.
So she promised that she would not tell.
"You may stay here every night, poor little boy," she said. "I will bring food and leave it for you in a dish. I will put a soft cushion inside the tent. I will never tell my father that you are here."
"Ah, grazie signorina (thank you, Miss)," said Tony, charmingly. He smiled and showed his white teeth. "How kind you are! And will you also put some candy on the dish?"
"Yes, I will, poor little boy," she answered. "What kind do you like?"
Tony thought a moment. Then he replied, "Torrone." (This is the finest and most expensive Italian candy.)
Anna promised to leave some torrone. Tony bent low and kissed her hand as he had seen the marionettes do in romantic plays.
"Felicissima notte, bella signorina! (Good-night, beautiful Miss!)" he murmured.