Little Tony of Italy Part 3

"But I have no money to pay for the uniform," said Tony.

"If you cannot pay, the State will give you a uniform. Every boy in Italy should belong to the Balilla."

As he said this he saluted. His arm shot out stiffly, the palm of his hand exposed. He drew himself up like a soldier.

"It is fine to march with a band," he went on. "The State will help to educate you and will send you to a seaside camp in summer."

"A poor boy like me?" Tony's eyes were wide.

The other smiled. "Have you never heard how the Balilla started?" he asked.

Then he told Tony about another poor boy who had lived in Genoa years ago. When the Austrians attacked his city, he threw a stone and started an uprising. The enemy was driven away.

"That boy's name was 'Balilla,'" explained Young Italy. "Before he threw the stone, he went forward with the words, 'Shall I begin?'"

Tony's face shone with pleasure.

"Shall I begin? Shall I begin?" he muttered to himself. Why not? It would be glorious to march through the parks, waving banners. He would study hard and learn to be a soldier.

But then, Tony thought of the training and discipline. He did not want to be trained. He wanted to run wild and beg money of foreigners.

And what of Tina? There would be no place for a little dog in a military group of boys.

Besides, Guido would never allow him to join. Guido needed him.

But suppose he should run away from Guido? Oh, then he felt sure that the Marionette Man would starve Tina.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TINA WAS VERY SERIOUS]

Tony always saw that the dog had enough to eat. It was he who cared for her, dressed her in her fancy costume and put her through her little tricks between each act of the puppet show.

She slept with Tony and did not have to shiver outside any more. No, Tony could not leave Tina!

"Will you come with me now?" asked Young Italy. "Will you begin?"

Tony wiped the traces of macaroni from his mouth. He looked straight at the boy in uniform.

"I do not wish to join," he lied.

Then he ran off.

When he reached home Guido asked, "Where is the money?"

Tony handed him two pennies.

Guido laughed. "The rest! Come, that is not all!"

"It is all," said Tony.

He was not even thinking of what he was saying. He was thinking only of the Balilla and of the words, "Shall I begin?"

"If you do not give me all the money, you and the dog will get no supper tonight!" growled Guido. "Come, how much did you make?"

"Shall I begin?" muttered Tony.

Guido looked at him curiously. Had he lost his wits?

"What are you mumbling about?" asked the Marionette Man.

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "I should lie if I told you!" he answered.

This was Tony's favorite expression. It means "I don't know" in the language of Naples. But in Tony's language it meant exactly what it said!

CHAPTER III

NIKI

Italy! When you hear the word do you think, as I do, of beautiful paintings and music? Of organ grinders, macaroni, and marionettes?

The finest little marionette actors (or puppets) are made in Italy.

Naples is where they have been most popular.

Today there are few left. Motion pictures have come to Naples as to every other city in the world.

Guido's theatre was a small place with crude, wooden benches. Tony helped Guido work the puppets. Mrs. Guido played the squeaky piano.

But the marionettes were really handsome. There were Kings and Queens in velvet and purple. Knights in armour.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE MARIONETTES WERE VERY HANDSOME]

Tina performed between the acts. She amused the audience while the scene was being changed.

She would walk in on her hind legs, a ruff around her neck. She would throw kisses and nearly topple over backwards.

She would turn 'round and 'round in a sort of old-fashioned waltz. She might have been a white, furry merry-go-round but for the pink tongue that popped out so frequently.

When she finished her part, she always ran straight to Tony. While he worked a puppet with one hand, he untied her ruff with the other. He knew she disliked the stiff thing.

This afternoon the theatre was well crowded. It was Sat.u.r.day. As Tony lifted Tina up on the stage, she turned and licked his face. Then, out she waltzed and the people began to clap.

When the clapping stopped, a child's voice suddenly piped up, "Oh, it's Niki! Papa, Papa, it's Niki!"

There was some laughter and whispering, and everyone turned to look.

Tina made her final bow and her part was over.