Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio

by Marguerite Henry

"But who is he?"

"He knows especially boys; he believes they deserve to be heard."

"But who?" It was a cry for help.

"His name," the mother said with a little glow of wonder, "his name is Monsignor Tardini."

"Monsignor Tardini!"

"Si."

"Why, he is a great man at the Vatican. He stands next to the Pope himself!"

The mother went to the cupboard and took out plates and cups to set the table. "Soon now the pizzas will be done," she said, "and Babbo and the children will come from the farm, and we eat."

"But why does the Monsignore understand especially boys?"

"Because, in a pine grove on the skirts of Rome, there sits a beautiful villa for orphans. It is called Villa Nazareth, and Monsignor Tardini, he is the guiding spirit. Even the grown boys, after they go out into the world, bring their troubles to him."