the little dog in this place. Bellissima in the street and not dressed!
as the old lady called it. What would be the end of this? The dog never
went out in winter, unless she was attired in a little lambskin coat,
which had been made for her. It was fastened round the little dog's neck
and body with red ribbons, and decorated with rosettes and little bells.
The dog looked almost like a little kid when she was allowed to go out
in winter and trot after her mistress. Now, here she was in the cold,
and not dressed. Oh, how would it end? All his fancies were quickly put
to flight; yet he kissed the Metal Pig once more, and then took
Bellissima in his arms. The poor little thing trembled so with cold that
the boy ran homeward as fast as he could.

"What are you running away with there?" asked two of the police whom he
met, and at whom the dog barked. "Where have you stolen that pretty
dog?" they asked, and took it away from him.

"Oh, I have not stolen it. Do give it back to me," cried the boy,
despairingly.

"If you have not stolen it, you may say at home that they can send to
the watch-house for the dog." Then they told him where the watch-house
was, and went away with Bellissima.

Here was trouble indeed. The boy did not know whether he had better
jump into the Arno or go home and confess everything. They would
certainly kill him, he thought.

"Well, I would gladly be killed," he reasoned; "for then I should die
and go to heaven." And so he went home, almost hoping for death.

The door was locked, and he could not reach the knocker. No one was in
the street, so he took up a stone and with it made a tremendous noise at
the door.

"Who is there?" asked somebody from within.

"It is I," said he. "Bellissima is gone. Open the door, and then kill
me."

Then, indeed, there was a great panic, for madam was so very fond of
Bellissima. She immediately looked at the wall where the dog's dress
usually hung; and there was the little lambskin.

"Bellissima in the watch-house!" she cried. "You bad boy! How did you
entice her out? Poor little delicate thing, with those rough policemen!
And she'll be frozen with cold."

Giuseppe went off at once, while his wife lamented and the boy wept.
Several of the neighbors came in, and among them the painter. He took
the boy between his knees and questioned him. Soon he heard the whole
story, told in broken sentences, and also about the Metal Pig and the
wonderful ride to the picture