Tessa.

"See, my silly one," he said, picking up the apricots. "Come, leave off
crying, I will go with you, and we'll sit down under the tree. Come, I
don't like to see you cry; but you know I must go kick some time."

So it came to pass that they found a great plane-tree not far outside
the gates, and they sat down under it, and all the feast was spread out
on Tessa's lap, she leaning with her back against the trunk of the tree,
and he stretched opposite to her, resting his elbows on the rough green
growth cherished by the shade, while the sunlight stole through the
boughs and played about them like a winged thing. Tessa's face was all
contentment again, and the taste of the apricots and sweetmeats seemed
very good.

"You pretty bird!" said Tito, looking at her as she sat eyeing the
remains of the feast with an evident mental debate about saving them,
since he had said he would not have any more. "To think of any one
scolding you! What sins do you tell of at confession, Tessa?"

"Oh, a great many. I am often naughty. I don't like work, and I can't
help being idle, though I know I shall be beaten and scolded; and I give
the mules the best fodder when nobody sees me, and then when the Madre
is angry I say I didn't do it, and that makes me frightened at the
devil. I think the conjuror was the devil. I am not so frightened
after I've been to confession. And see, I've got a _Breve_ here that a
good father, who came to Prato preaching this Easter, blessed and gave
us all." Here Tessa drew from her bosom a tiny bag carefully fastened
up. "And I think the holy Madonna will take care of me; she looks as if
she would; and perhaps if I wasn't idle, she wouldn't let me be beaten."

"If they are so cruel to you, Tessa, shouldn't you like to leave them,
and go and live with a beautiful lady who would be kind to you, if she
would have you to wait upon her?"

Tessa seemed to hold her breath for a moment or two. Then she said
doubtfully, "I don't know."

"Then should you like to be my little servant, and live with me?" said
Tito, smiling. He meant no more than to see what sort of pretty look
and answer she would give.

There was a flush of joy immediately. "Will you take me with you now?
Ah! I shouldn't go home and be beaten then." She paused a little
while, and then added more doubtfully, "But I should like to fetch my
black-faced kid."

"Yes, you must go back to your kid, my Tessa," said Tito, rising, "and