"But your father will punish me," he said, suddenly. He could not seem to forget the gentleman's severe words.
"No, no," said Anna. "He says he thinks you have been punished enough. He thinks you will obey now and never lie again. Will you promise, Tony?"
Tony hung his head. "I promise," he said.
"Papa always wanted a little boy of his own," continued Anna. "He will be so proud to have you march with the boys of Italy. And I ... I would like a brother."
"Have you never had a brother?" asked Tony.
"No," she answered, solemnly. "But I once had a monkey!"
So Tony remained with Anna. He joined the Balilla and he never lied or stole again.
Well, almost never. At first Anna's father had to talk with him very seriously to make him understand the beauty of truth.