Meantime, Death thought it was going on rather too long, so she looked through the keyhole, and, finding they were just beginning another game, she cried out loudly;
‘It’s no use playing any more, for I’m not going to be bothered to carry all those souls all the way up to Heaven—a likely matter, indeed!’
But Pret’ Olivo went on playing without taking any notice of her; and he hung them on to his beretta, till at last you could hardly see him at all for the number of souls he had clinging to him. There was no place for any more, so at last he stopped playing.
‘I’m not going to take all those other souls,’ said Death when he came out; ‘I’ve only got orders to take you.’
‘Then take me,’ answered Pret’ Olivo.
Death saw that the souls were all hung on so that she could not take him without taking all the rest; so away she went with the lot of them, without disputing any more.
At last they arrived at the Gate of Paradise. St. Peter opened the door when they knocked; but when he saw who was there he shut the door again.
‘Make haste!’ said Death; ‘I’ve no time to waste.’
‘Why did you waste your time in bringing up souls that were not properly consigned to you?’ answered St. Peter.
‘It wasn’t I brought them, it was Pret’ Olivo. And your Master charged me I was to do whatever he told me.’