'Oh!' cried the little mat-plaiter, 'that is
our dear old dog, Scarammuccia. He takes care of the house when
Nanina is not at home. He dances on his hind legs, and jumps
through a hoop, and tumbles down dead when I cry Bang!
Scarammuccia followed us home one night, years ago, and he has
lived with us ever since. He goes out every day by himself, we
can't tell where, and generally returns licking his chops, which
makes us afraid that he is a thief; but nobody finds him out,
because he is the cleverest dog that ever lived!' The child ran
on in this way about the great beast by the fireplace, till I was
obliged to stop her; while that simpleton Nanina stood by,
laughing and encouraging her. I asked them a few more questions,
which produced some strange answers. They did not seem to know of
any relations of theirs in the world. The neighbors in the house
had helped them, after their father ran away, until they were old
enough to help themselves; and they did not seem to think there
was anything in the least wretched or pitiable in their way of
living. The last thing I heard, when I left them that day, was La
Biondella crying 'Bang!'--then a bark, a thump on the floor, and
a scream of laughter. If it was not for their dog, I should go
and see them oftener. But the ill-conditioned beast has taken a
dislike to me, and growls and shows his teeth whenever I come
near him.
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