Florence," said John, "Teresa is building us a fire."

66

"Yes," said Florence. "I suppose Pacifico gave her directions about it last night."

"She's a nice girl," said John.

"Hush," said Florence in an undertone. "She will hear you."

"No matter," said John. "She can't understand if she does hear. And besides," he added, "there would be no harm in her hearing me say she's a nice girl, if she did understand it."

"That's very true," said Florence.

John was dressed very soon after this, and he immediately went out into the large room. He found the table set for breakfast, and a bright fire blazing in the fireplace. Florence soon appeared, and very soon afterward Pacifico came in to inquire how his family were, and how they had passed the night, and to see that everything was right about the room, and that the preparations for breakfast were going on properly. After remaining a few minutes and giving some directions to Teresa in Italian, the vetturino went away, saying that he would come with the carriage to the door in about three-quarters of an an hour, and that in the meanwhile they would have ample time for their breakfast,

"And when you should hear the carriage to come," he added, speaking in English, "before that you are ready, you may not make attention to it, for we have the time."

Teresa now brought in the breakfast, which consisted of nice coffee, hot rolls, eggs and fried chicken. Florence and John ate it with light and merry hearts. It was a bright and pleasant morning, and though the air had been cool, the sun was now beginning to shine quite warm, and there was no longer any need of fire. In about a quarter of an hour after the children had finished their breakfast they heard the trampling of horses and the sound of carriage wheels. John looked out at the window and saw the carriage just coming up to the door.

There were a great number of people there too, who seemed to be assembling to witness the departure of the carriage. They were chiefly idlers and beggars, though beside these there were several hostlers and servants of the hotel. Pacifico said something to the beggars and made them stand back a little out of the way. Then he came up to the children's great room accompanied by two porters to get the baggage. He locked and strapped the trunk and gave it to one of the porters, and then gave the smaller parcels to the other. He followed the porters down,

saying to the children that he would come up for them when all was ready.

"I am glad we have not got any thing to do about settling the bill," said Florence.

"Or about giving bono manos to all these people," said John.

"And charity to the beggars," said Florence. "Only," added Florence, "I should like to give a franc or two to Teresa."

"Let us do it," said John. "I have got some money."

"No," said Florence, "we promised not to give any money to any body. But I will tell you what we can do. We can ask Pacifico to give her a double fee, and tell her it was from us."

The children decided to do this, and accordingly when Pacifico came up to tell them that the carriage was ready, and to accompany them down stairs, Florence said to him as she went down, speaking in English,

"When you give the servants their bono manos, Pacifico, I wish you would give Teresa a double one; and tell her we like her very much." "I shall do so willingly, my young lady," said Pacifico.

As soon as Florence and John had taken their seats in the carriage, they both watched while