Read Heimatlos: Two stories for children, and for those who love children Page 16

  CHAPTER XV

  AN EMPHATIC APPEAL

  The matter, however, was not at all satisfactorily settled for Silvio.He understood that he must do without Rico for two days, but it woreupon his patience as the hours dragged along. He fretted and tossedabout, wishing continually for Rico. Before the second day was overMrs. Menotti's strength had been severely taxed.

  When Rico understood that he was really homeless, his thoughts turnedto Stineli more than ever before. A new feeling of satisfaction cameto him as he considered how much her friendship had meant to him andhow much the future might mean if they could be again together as indays past. So continually had she been in his mind the last few days,that he had scarcely reached Silvio's side before he said, "Silvio, itseems to me as if no one could be quite happy without Stineli."

  "Mamma, I want Stineli," said Silvio, as he pulled himself to asitting posture. "I want her to come to me because I can't have Rico,and he says that no one can be quite happy without her."

  Mrs. Menotti knew of whom they were speaking, for she had often heardRico mention her during the years he had been with them. "Yes," shesaid, "it would be delightful if we could have her, but my little boymust not forget to be reasonable."

  "But we _can_ have her, mamma," broke in Silvio. "Rico knows where sheis, and he can go to-morrow and bring her to us."

  Mrs. Menotti had for some time secretly wished that Rico might findfor her some one to assist in the care of Silvio, but she would notfor a moment consider letting the boy go back to the perils from whichhe had so fortunately escaped. She sought to change the subject ofconversation between the children, and endeavored to interest them inother things, but she failed to keep them from going back to theoriginal subject. Silvio would invariably say, "Rico knows where sheis and he must get her."

  "Do you suppose that Rico will deliberately go among those wickedpeople to get her, when he can stay here in safety?" asked the mother.

  "Will you?" said Silvio, fastening his large blue eyes upon Rico.

  "Surely, I will go," said Rico enthusiastically.

  "Rico, have you lost your senses?" exclaimed Mrs. Menotti. "What doyou suppose I can do with you when you both begin to be unreasonable?You had better play something for Silvio, Rico, and I will go to thegarden for a while. By the time I get back I shall hope to find twogood, sensible boys."

  The boys, however, did not care for music to-night, and they talked,instead, of possible ways of bringing Stineli to them and of how itwould seem to have her there.

  When she returned from the garden, where she had enjoyed the quietevening, Mrs. Menotti had to remind Rico that it was time to go home.Silvio urged his mother for a promise that Rico might be allowed to gofor Stineli, and both boys eagerly awaited her answer.

  "You may feel differently about it in the morning, children," shesaid. "I want you to go to sleep in peace; possibly before the nightis over I can think of a way to satisfy you."

  Early the following morning Silvio raised himself in bed to see if hismother was awake and said, "Have you thought of a way, mamma?"

  Mrs. Menotti could not say that she had, and again the child'sdiscontent broke out. All that day and the next and for many daysthereafter he would not be comforted. Mrs. Menotti thought it was onlya fancy and would wear itself out, but the extra strain upon the boybegan to tell upon his health to such an extent that the mother becamealarmed. She was convinced that Silvio ought to have a companion, andshe resolved to consult with some trustworthy person, to see if itwere possible to get a child from the hills in safety. Mrs. Menottiunderstood that Rico had escaped from ill treatment in the hillcountry, and she avoided asking him questions about his past life,hoping that he was young enough to let silence efface all unpleasantmemories. On this account she felt quite unwilling to let himundertake the journey, and even the consideration of such apossibility brought to her a fuller realization of how necessary hehad become to their own happiness.