[3] ‘Aia,’ upper nurse, nursery governess. [↑]
[5] ‘E così fece’ (and thus he did) is another of the expressions in universal use in Rome in tale-telling, forming a sort of refrain. [↑]
THE HAPPY COUPLE.[1]
I can tell you a story,[2] or two perhaps. What a number I used to know, to be sure! But what can I do? It is thirty years and more since anyone has asked me for them, and it’s hard to put one’s ideas together after such a time. You mustn’t mind if I put the wrong part of the story before, and have to go backwards and forwards a little.
I know there was one that ran thus:—
There was a married couple who lived so happy and content and fond of each other, that they never had a word of dispute about anything the live-long day, but only thought of helping and pleasing each other.
The Devil saw this, and determined to set them by the ears; but how was he to do it? Such love and peace reigned in their home, that he couldn’t find any way into the place. After prowling and prowling about, and finding no means of entrance, what does he do? He went to an old woman,—she must have been one of those who dabble with things they have no business to touch,—and said to her:
‘You must do this job for me!’