Little Tony of Italy Part 5

"Yes, Mama, it is Niki," she said. "At last we have found her! I am so happy!"

The father told how they had discovered Niki in the Marionette theatre.

"It was the Marionette Man who stole Niki away from us," he said. "She was performing on the stage."

"And, oh, Mama!" exclaimed Anna, "his little boy said that Niki died, and it wasn't true at all! That boy was a story-teller, wasn't he, papa?"

"He was a young rascal," replied her father. "Still, he had such an intelligent face. What a pity!"

Tony, under the window, drew closer to listen.

"The lad is already a clever liar and no doubt a beggar as well," Anna's father continued. "One day he will become a thief like Guido!"

Tony crouched lower and winced. "A thief like Guido!" The words had a dreadful sound.

"I should like to train that boy," remarked Anna's father. "I would discipline him!"

The gentleman looked very fierce as he said this. He frightened Tony, who hated discipline!

But if Tony had known exactly what he meant, he would not have been frightened. Anna's father had always wanted a son of his own. He would have been very proud of a son.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TONY DREW CLOSER TO LISTEN]

He would have taught him to be a loyal Italian. For Anna's father was a real patriot.

Robert Browning, the poet, has said, "Open my heart and you will see inside of it--Italy." If Anna's father had been a poet, he might have said something like this.

"Dinner is ready," announced Anna's mother.

Tony watched as the family left the room. He knew that they had gone into the dining room. He waited patiently beneath the window until they returned.

When they came back, Anna's father eased himself into an armchair.

"Come, little Anna," he said. "I am going to read to you."

Anna crawled on to his lap with Tina clasped lovingly in her arms. Tina had a puffed, happy look, as if she, too, had dined well!

Tony smiled to himself. He was going to hear Anna's father read stories.

No one had ever read to Tony. He loved reading.

The night was warm. The moon shone. The window was open. Tony listened.

Would you like to listen, too?

Very well.

Wouldn't Anna's father be surprised if he knew about his big audience?

Under the window is a poor Italian boy--Tony. Out in the great United States are other boys and girls--you who are reading this tale!

So be very quiet and don't make a noise for fear of disturbing Anna's father while he reads.

Let us crouch under the window with Tony!

CHAPTER IV

ROME

"Tonight," began Anna's father, "we are going to read about one of our Italian cities. Many fine stories have come out of it.

"Rome is called 'The Eternal City' because there is a saying that it will live forever. It is built upon seven hills.

"A long time ago there lived a great artist named Michelangelo. He built the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. This is the largest church in the world. Thirty services may be conducted in it at the same time.

"The bones of St. Peter are believed to have been buried beneath the Cathedral.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ST. PETER'S: ROME]

"But the oldest church of all is the Pantheon, which means 'all the G.o.ds,'

It was built when people worshipped more than one G.o.d. It has no windows but only a hole in the top called an 'eye.' Today it is the burial ground of renowned writers and artists.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE PANTHEON: ROME]

"Near Rome are the famous catacombs. It was here that the early Christians buried their dead.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE VATICAN: ROME]

"The catacombs are long, narrow pa.s.sages with graves built into the walls, one above the other. When the Christians were not allowed to worship in their own way, they often fled to these underground cemeteries to pray.

"There is a curious park in Rome," went on the father. "One which you, little Anna, would like."

Anna looked up. "Why, Papa?" she asked.

"Because it is filled with cats," answered her father. "Tabbies and Tommies, black and white, grey and yellow. They wander about and sprawl in the shade of fine old trees. They have plenty to eat and nothing to fear. It is a kitty paradise!"

"I want to go to that park some day," said Anna.

"There is a magic fountain in Rome," read her father. "It is said that he who drinks from the Fontana Trevi will some day be drawn back to The Eternal City.

"The Appian Way is sometimes called The Queen of Roads. It was a great highway built by the ancient Romans. Parts of it are still in use.

"These ancient Romans were very clean. They dotted their city with many fine public baths. We are able to see by the ruins how very handsome they were.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE COLOSSEUM: ROME]

"Outdoor theatres, called 'circuses,' were also numerous. The oldest of these is the Circus Maximus, where races were held.