Tony was cold. He wanted Tina. He hoped that soon Anna would come out to put the dog to bed. But as soon as that happened, the stories would have to stop.

Tony did not want them to stop. If only he had Tina and a warm blanket! Then he would stay beneath the window and listen as long as the stories continued. What fun!

He sneezed again.

Anna sat up in her father's arms.

"I must go now and put Niki to bed," she said. "Then I will come back."

Tony saw her climb down from her father's knee. Tina woke up and blinked. Anna left the room, and Tony knew that she was coming out to the garden.

He ran over to the dog's tent and soon Anna arrived.

"Hello, poor little boy," she said. "I heard you under the window. Are you cold? Are you sad?"

"Ah, Signorina," wailed Tony. "I am nearly dead!"

He made a most horrible face.

"Today I have walked miles and miles, but nobody would help me or give me anything to eat. They only kicked me off the road and—will you bring me a blanket?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes," she said. She put Tina into his arms. "Hold Niki and I will go into the house for one."

She ran back. Tony, with the dog in his arms, crouched once more under the window. Through it he saw Anna come into the room. Her father called her to him.

"Come," he said. "One more chapter and then to bed."

Anna's face fell. What should she do? She had promised to bring Tony a blanket. Yet she could not say so. She must stay here until her father finished reading.

"Now," he began, "we shall visit Italy's largest city, Milan. The pride of Milan is her beautiful cathedral. It is built of white marble brought from the quarries by canal. The canal was built especially for that purpose.

"With its two thousand slender spires, this cathedral is like fairy lace. Stories are told upon the many beautiful windows of stained glass.

"In the long ago, Milan was the fashion center of the world. Just as, today, every lady wants a Paris gown, so, at that time, they wanted Milan hats. They spoke of them as 'Milaners.' Can you see how the word 'milliner' was born?

"From the hat to the shoe is a long way. The whole of Italy is shaped like a boot. Milan is far up on the leg. Down at the tip of the toe is the island of Sicily.

"Sicily, originally settled by the Greeks, has often been called the 'football of Italy.' And it has truly been kicked about, for many different nations have ruled it.

"It is a beautiful island. Yet for many years its people have been gradually leaving it. Many thousands went to America.

"At one time the United States bought quantities of lemons from Sicily. Now the Americans are growing their own.

"There is a volcano on the island called Mt. Etna. Great sulphur mines were made by this volcano, and for years Sicily supplied the world with sulphur. But now the United States also supplies sulphur.

"Another volcano is that of Stromboli. It is an island off the coast of Sicily. For two thousand years this fire island has been like a glowing torch in the water. It is therefore called the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean Sea.

"And while we are speaking of volcanoes, here is the terrible story of Pompeii. I have told you many legends, but this tale is true.

"Hundreds of years ago a beautiful little city called Pompeii nestled at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius.

"Here men, women, and children lived happy, carefree lives. Their houses were small jewels. They feasted and lived in luxury. Pompeii was a pleasure city.

"Then, one day, a frightful thing happened. The volcano, Vesuvius, grew very angry. Black smoke gushed from the hole in her great head. Ashes and hot stones came tumbling down upon Pompeii. The earth rocked. Thunder roared. Darkness fell upon the town. People fled, groping their way through the streets.

"Next day Pompeii, the jewel city, lay buried beneath the earth."

Tony felt a chill run up his back. He glanced at the fire-mountain behind the house. Then he looked into the window again. Anna lay very still in her father's arms.

Anna had heard that story many times. Besides, Anna was very young. She was now asleep!

"Wake up, little sleepy one," said her father. He smoothed her hair gently.

Anna stirred and rubbed her eyes. She had been dreaming about Tony. Oh, Tony, your secret is in danger!

All at once she sat up straight and looked about in a startled way.

She cried, "I must go out to Tony, Papa! I promised to bring him a blanket!"

CHAPTER IX