Beppo, then, on this particular rainy afternoon, came in with a flat basket full of newly cut wood on his head, respectfully saluted the Padrona, and, after throwing down his load in a corner of the kitchen, leisurely turned his basket topsy-turvy, seated himself upon it, and prepared to take his part in the general conversation.

" "The Padrona is quite right," said Beppo, without leaving his basket.

" "I was one of the party," interrupted Beppo, taking the narrative out of his Padrona's mouth, stirred by the high-wrought excitement of his recollections.

Viva, viva la padrona!

Tutta bella, e tutta buona, La padrona è un' angiolella Tutta buona e tutta bella; Tutta bella e tutta buona; Viva! viva la padrona!

Tutta bella, e tutta buona, La padrona è un' angiolella Tutta buona e tutta bella; Tutta bella e tutta buona; Viva! viva la padrona!

Adamo, a stout, big-limbed man, bull-neckedwith large lazy eyes and a black beard as thick as horse-hair, a rifle slung by a leather strap across his chest, answered out of the shrubsnow blackening in the twilight: "I am here, padrona, command me.

" "Adamo, who is shooting on my land?" "Padrona, I do not know."

You idle vagabond!" "Padrona," spoke Adamo in a deep voice"I am here alonethis boy helps me but little.

" "Yes, padrona," Adamo would reply, stolidly.

"Adamo!" "Padrona."

"Padrona, don't thank meDomine Dio did it.

"Padrona, I don't want money.

"After all," thought Adamo to himself, "if the padrona is going to die, I may as well have these notes as another.

" "I would save your life any day, padrona," Adamo says aloud.

"The padrona is certainly going mad before she dies," he mutters, trying to get away.

"If you want any one shot, tell me who it is, padrona, and I will do it.

The padrona is not mad, nor will she die.

"You may sleep in peace, padrona."