Part 13 (1/2)

Come help me fetch the milk!

GILDA. Oh, Mister Beppo, Your sweetheart calls you! Run and fetch the milk!

LEONORA. [From a house, coming out.] Come in to supper, children!

RIGO. Oh, not just yet!

ELENORA. Father's not home yet!

LEONORA. You need not wait for him.

LOUIS. May we come out again?

LEONORA. [Joining other women.] Ay, for a time.

Till it gets dark.

RIGO. [To Louis.] 'Tis dark now, almost.

LOUIS. Hus.h.!.+

She does not know it.

GIULIANA. 'Tis dark now.

LEONORA. Ay, I know.

I let them play a little after dark Sometimes, when the weather's fine. I would not have them Afraid of shadows. They think I do not know Darkness from light.

ELENORA. There's father now!

RIGO. I see him!

[Elenora, Louis and Rigo run off the stage and along the path.]

LEONORA. He is late home today. I cannot think What may have held him. 'Twill be deep night already In the woods.

CESCO. [Off stage, harshly.] Down! Down! Do you run back to your mother!

See you not I am in haste?--Hang not upon me!

EUG. La! He is in a temper!

LEO. I never knew him So out of patience with them.

GIU. He is hungry, maybe.

LEO. He is often hungry, but I never knew him So out of patience. [The children come running back. To Elenora.]

Why do you weep, my heart?

LUI. Father is someone else tonight.

ELENORA. [Weeping.] He pushed me!

[Enter Cesco, with game on his shoulder, or a basket of mushrooms.]