past slatternly mothers
gossiping in shrill tones from doorsteps and open windows, quite
unconscious of the fact that every one turned to look with astonishment
at the strange spectacle of two well-dressed children walking alone
through the burrow-like streets of old Florence.

At the opening of a dark passage they almost stumbled over an old woman
bent over a charcoal-brazier, where she was roasting chestnuts.

"She looks just like a witch," whispered Beppina, making the devil's
horns with her fingers to protect herself from the Evil Eye. "Let's
hurry past."

They shrank back against the opposite wall of the narrow passage and
tried to squeeze by, but the old woman swept out a bony hand and seized
Beppina by the skirt.

"For the love of Santa Maria, just a few soldi, my pretty little lady,"
she whined, pulling the child toward her. Her smile was so terrifying
that Beppina gave a little scream, and with Beppo's help tore herself
free of the old woman's grasp. Then the two fled still farther up the
street, followed by a storm of abuse and the laughter of the idle people
they passed in their flight.

When at last they paused for breath, they found themselves in a
labyrinth of narrow alleys, with no idea of which way to turn to get
back to the piazza. Beppina was frightened, but Beppo said confidently,
"All we've got to do is to keep on going, and we are sure to strike
either the piazza or the river, and we shall know how to get home from
either one, so don't you be afraid."

Inspired by his boldness, Beppina followed him from one narrow passage
to another, until at last the streets began to widen again, and they saw
before them an open square, and heard the sound of music. They ran
joyously forward and found themselves in a beautiful but strange piazza,
with a great fountain playing in the centre, and fine old buildings
surrounding it on all sides.

The source of the music was hidden by a throng of people gathered
together near the fountain. "It's a hand-organ," cried Beppo eagerly.
"Maybe there's a monkey!" and he dashed into the midst of the crowd.

Beppina followed close behind, and the two worked their way under the
elbows of the grown people until they reached the very centre, where
they were thrilled to find a dark, swarthy man, holding a bear by a
rope. The bear was dancing clumsily on his hind legs, and near by a
woman with black eyes and hair and great rings in her ears was grinding
an organ. On