Little Tony of Italy

He approached Anna's house. It looked so new and shiny. The flowers and trees made a pretty frame for it. How different from the ugly houses in the poor section of Naples where he lived.

It would be pleasant to wake up in the morning and smell the fields and the Bay. Not the horrible odors of narrow streets. Dust and dirt and cooking things!

He must go bravely to the front door and ring the bell. He must confess to Anna's father all that he had done. He was ready to take his punishment like a brave soldier of Italy!

"Good-day."

The front door opened. Anna's mother stood there with Anna close beside her.

When Anna caught sight of her pet, she cried out, "Niki! Oh, I thought you were lost! I thought the naughty boy had stolen you! Come to me, Niki!"

She held out her arms. But Tony drew Tina away from her. Why did his throat feel so full and queer? Why did his nose tickle and his eyes blur with tears?

No! No! He could not give up his Tina! Anna had everything and he had only this little dog! It was not fair.

He planted his poor, wobbly legs as sturdily as he could. His dark eyes flashed at the little girl.

"Do not touch her!" he cried. "She bites!"

Anna shrank back, afraid.

"She is a bad dog!" continued Tony. "It is not safe for you to keep her. She has bitten me."

The mother went forward and gently touched Tony's sleeve.

"Where has the dog bitten you, my poor boy?" she inquired.

"Er – on my back!" lied Tony.

"Turn around and let me see," said the good woman.

But Tony did not turn around. Instead, he fell upon his knees and clutched the skirt of Anna's mother.

"I have lied again! Oh, forgive me!" he sobbed. "What I just said was not true. Tina does not bite. She is the gentlest little dog that ever lived. And I am the greatest liar!"

He was sobbing so that the woman could hardly understand him. He tried hard to explain everything that had happened to him. But he felt weak and could barely talk.

Anna's mother raised him to his feet and led him to a bedroom. Here she undressed him and prepared a bath.

At first this frightened Tony. There were no bathrooms in the house where he had lived! But somehow, he felt that this kind woman would not hurt him. He allowed her to bathe him and put him to bed.

He soon found himself tucked between clean, cool sheets. The woman was offering him something to drink. His eyes were closing. Then he was asleep.

When he awoke it was late afternoon. The window shades were drawn and the room was fairly dark.

Tony lay gazing up at the smooth, white ceiling. He felt well and strong now. He thought that he loved the mother of Anna better than anyone he had ever known. Yes, better even than Tina!

How could he have lied to Anna again? After promising himself that he would change. After that terrible dream! Oh, surely that would be his last lie! Surely!

As he lay with his thoughts, the door slowly opened. Anna peeped in. She held Tina in her arms. When she saw Tony's eyes open, she came into the room.

"I thought you would like to have Niki," she said.

She approached his bed. Tony held out his arms for the dog.

"Her name is not Niki. It is Tina," he said.

The little girl smiled.

"It is Niki," she repeated.

"Tina!" said Tony.

"Niki!" said Anna.

She was laughing now. So was Tony.

"Very well," he said. "Let us call her 'Fido.'"

"Fido" is taken from an Italian word meaning "faithful."

So Anna put "Tina-Niki-Fido" into Tony's arms and sat down beside him.

"Papa says you are to stay here with us," she said.

Tony shot up in bed. A look of fear came over his face.

"But your papa will discipline me!" he exclaimed.

"No! No!" said Anna. "He says that you must not be afraid of him. Discipline does not hurt. It will make you happy to grow up good."

Tony's eyes grew wide. So Anna's father, with the deep voice, wanted to make him happy!

"Papa has just been to see the Marionette Man," went on Anna. "He told him all about you, poor little boy!"

"And will I have to go back to Guido?" asked Tony.

"No, never," replied Anna. "You are to live with us, and Papa says you shall join the Balilla."

Join the Balilla! Live in Anna's pretty house! Never again be parted from his beloved Tina! Oh, it was almost too good to be true!

"But your father will punish me," he said, suddenly. He could not seem to forget the gentleman's severe words.

"No, no," said Anna. "He says he thinks you have been punished enough. He thinks you will obey now and never lie again. Will you promise, Tony?"

Tony hung his head. "I promise," he said.

"Papa always wanted a little boy of his own," continued Anna. "He will be so proud to have you march with the boys of Italy. And I … I would like a brother."

"Have you never had a brother?" asked Tony.

"No," she answered, solemnly. "But I once had a monkey!"

So Tony remained with Anna. He joined the Balilla and he never lied or stole again.

Well, almost never. At first Anna's father had to talk with him very seriously to make him understand the beauty of truth.

When Anna grew a little older, she joined the "Piccole Italiane," the girls' legion.

Tina-Niki-Fido did not join anything. At least, I do not think she did. However, if there is a "Bone-and-Biscuit Dog Scouts" in Italy, you may be sure she became one.

She now belonged to both Tony and Anna. Still, it was Tony who cared for her, fed her, and slept with her.

You see, between Tony and Tina it had been love at first sight!

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