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Updated: June 1, 2025
Brigitta could venture to say much, for she had grown old in the house; had carried Elise as a child in her arms; and from affection to her, had followed her when she left her father's house: besides this, she was a most excellent guardian for the children; but as now these complaints of hers were too frequently repeated, Elise said to her seriously: "Dear Brigitta, let him eat and drink as much as he likes, without any observation: I would willingly allow him a pound of sugar and coffee a day, if he only became, as I hope he may, a good friend and preceptor for the children."
We should be free from the vexation of so many serving-men and wenches; and whereas of late she had been forced to turn Brigitta out of the house, had she not herself scarce escaped a fever from sheer worry of mind. Susan would ever be true to us; she would be ready to share our poverty with us, and the unresting up-stairs and down had long been a torment to her old feet.
Brigitta was just in time to see him do all this, and on her return to the hut with Peter expressed her astonishment to the grandmother. The latter was equally surprised, and kept on saying, "God be thanked that he is good to the child, God be thanked! Will he let her come to me again, I wonder! the child has done me so much good.
I lay on the stones, sick and very sore, till a neighbor, Antonio the carpenter, who works in the little square, a good lad, picked me up and carried me home." As she speaks, Carlotta's eyes glitter like a serpent's. She shakes all over. "Lord have mercy!" exclaims Brigitta, looking hard at her; "that was bad!"
And this one would answer, "I do indeed; it seems as if I had only just cleared away the mid-day meal." And the grandmother would continue, "Pray God the child is not taken from me, and that Alm-Uncle continues to let her come! Does she look well and strong, Brigitta?" And the latter would answer, "She looks as bright and rosy as an apple."
You may think my eyes are dim, but I can see as far as another." And the old hag chuckles spitefully, and winks at Brigitta, enjoying her surprise. "Madre di Dio!" exclaims this one. "There will be fine work." "Yes, truly, very fine work. The marchesa shall know it; all Lucca shall know it too mark my words, all Lucca! Curses on the Guinigi root and branch! I will humble them!
It was news to the girls, though, for Brigitta cried, "Monna Beatrice, she who has been away from Florence these nine years?" and Jacintha questioned, "Monna Beatrice! Is she daughter of Folco Portinari that builds hospitals?" and Barbara sighed, "Monna Beatrice, whom some call the loveliest girl in the city?" And Guido gave to their several questions a single answer: "Even she.
"Ah, just so, I had quite forgotten that!" said Richard, and, whilst continuing to play, he placed his lips close to Bertha's cheek. Her sister-in-law came in with her bunch of keys rattling and a deep dejection on her pale and indistinct features. "I have given Brigitta notice," she said in a feeble tone. "I couldn't endure it any longer."
So passed this year; in the next, she was solaced by a little daughter, whom she named Elfrida, thinking of the designation of her friendly Elves. The young people lived with Martin and Brigitta, the house being large enough for all, and helped their parents in conducting their now extended husbandry.
"My gracious! who would have thought that old witch, the Guinigi," whispers Carlotta Carlotta owned a little mercery-shop in a side-street running by the palace, right under the tower to her gossip Brigitta, an occasional customer for cotton and buttons, "who would have thought that she gracious! who would have thought she dared to shut up her palace the day of the festival? Did you see?"
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