n present.

The next morning the boys went out as usual, having again bought their
breakfast and dispersed themselves about the city and vicinity, heartily
hoping that this state of things might continue. But it was too good
to last. When they returned at evening they found their old enemy in
command. He looked more ill-tempered and sour than ever, but gave no
explanation of his and Pietro's absence, except to say that he had been
out of the city on business. He called for the boys' earnings of the
day previous, but to their surprise made no inquiries about how they had
supplied themselves with supper or breakfast. He felt that his influence
over the boys, and the terror which he delighted to inspire in them,
would be lessened if they should learn that he had been arrested and
punished. The boys were accustomed to look upon him as possessed of
absolute power over them, and almost regarded him as above law.

Pietro, too, was silent, partly for the same reasons which influenced
the padrone, partly because he was afraid of offending his uncle.

Meanwhile poor Giacomo remained sick. If he had been as robust and
strong as Phil, he would have recovered, but he was naturally delicate,
and exposure and insufficient food had done their work only too well.

Four days afterward (to advance the story a little) one of the boys came
to the padrone in the morning, saying: "Signore padrone, Giacomo is much
worse. I think he is going to die."

"Nonsense!" said the padrone, angrily. "He is only pretending to be
sick, so that he need not work. I have lost enough by him already."

Nevertheless he went to the little boy's bedside.

Giacomo was breathing faintly. His face was painfully thin, his eyes
preternaturally bright. He spoke faintly, but his mind seemed to be
wandering.

"Where is Filippo?" he said. "I want to see Filippo."

In this wish the padrone heartily concurred. He, too, would have been
glad to see Filippo, but the pleasure would not have been mutual.

"Why do you want to see Filippo?" he demanded, in his customary harsh
tone.

Giacomo heard and answered, though unconscious who spoke to him.

"I want to kiss him before I die," he said.

"What makes you think you are going to die?" said the tyrant, struck by
the boy's appearance.

"I am so weak," murmured Giacomo. "Stoop down, Filippo. I want to tell
you something in your ear."

Moved by curiosity rather than humanity, the padrone stooped over, and
Giacomo whi