Little Tony of Italy Part 16

"No! No!" said Anna. "He says that you must not be afraid of him.

Discipline does not hurt. It will make you happy to grow up good."

Tony's eyes grew wide. So Anna's father, with the deep voice, wanted to make him happy!

"Papa has just been to see the Marionette Man," went on Anna. "He told him all about you, poor little boy!"

"And will I have to go back to Guido?" asked Tony.

"No, never," replied Anna. "You are to live with us, and Papa says you shall join the Balilla."

Join the Balilla! Live in Anna's pretty house! Never again be parted from his beloved Tina! Oh, it was almost too good to be true!

"But your father will punish me," he said, suddenly. He could not seem to forget the gentleman's severe words.

"No, no," said Anna. "He says he thinks you have been punished enough.

He thinks you will obey now and never lie again. Will you promise, Tony?"

Tony hung his head. "I promise," he said.

"Papa always wanted a little boy of his own," continued Anna. "He will be so proud to have you march with the boys of Italy. And I ... I would like a brother."

"Have you never had a brother?" asked Tony.

"No," she answered, solemnly. "But I once had a monkey!"

So Tony remained with Anna. He joined the Balilla and he never lied or stole again.

Well, _almost_ never. At first Anna's father had to talk with him very seriously to make him understand the beauty of truth.

When Anna grew a little older, she joined the "Piccole Italiane," the girls' legion.

Tina-Niki-Fido did not join anything. At least, I do not think she did.

However, if there is a "Bone-and-Biscuit Dog Scouts" in Italy, you may be sure she became one.

She now belonged to both Tony and Anna. Still, it was Tony who cared for her, fed her, and slept with her.

You see, between Tony and Tina it had been love at first sight!

THE END