up solemnly, and followed them on to the Piazza.

"I'm glad I prayed for you, Bianca, good cat!" said Tuttu. "You would
never have allowed anyone to touch that _scaldino_, would you?"

Bianca mewed. She was rather bewildered by her walk through the town,
but as long as her two friends were satisfied, that was enough for
her.

As they came out upon the more crowded thoroughfare, the twins with
their white cat attracted some attention, and many laughing remarks
were shouted to them as they edged their way along the narrow paved
street, where the absence of any pathway made it necessary to keep
their eyes very wide open indeed, to avoid being run over by the carts
and carriages.

[Illustration: "THE TWINS WITH THEIR WHITE CAT ATTRACTED SOME
ATTENTION."]

Tutti walked in charge of Bianca, while Tuttu devoted all his
attention to the _scaldino_ in its red handkerchief, and a large green
cotton umbrella he had brought from home in case the day should turn
out to be rainy.

This umbrella seemed to be endowed with life, so extraordinary was its
power of wriggling itself under the legs of the passers by. It had to
be constantly wrenched out, with many apologies, by its owner; while
the person who had been nearly tripped up by it, went on his--or
her--way grumbling.

No one did more than grumble, however, for the look of horror on
Tuttu's face was irresistible.

"Go on, Tutti; do hurry!" he cried, urgently. "I'm getting so hot with
this horrible umbrella. It seems to catch hold of people whichever way
I carry it!"

"I _am_ going," replied Tutti laconically. "But remember, I've got the
cat."

As he spoke a boy darted out from one of the grim old houses close by,
and picking up a loose stone threw it at Bianca, grazing her head, and
leaving a great red stain that commenced to trickle slowly down her
spotless white body.

Tuttu, his eyes blazing with wrath, placed the _scaldino_ by the side
of the kerbstone, and darted at the boy, waving his umbrella; while
Tutti threw his arms round Bianca's neck and tried to hush her mews of
terror by a shower of tears and kisses.

"How _dare_ you?" shouted Tuttu, beside himself with anger. "Go away,
and leave our poor Bianca! You've killed her, I expect; and I wish I
could kill you!" But even in the midst of his ungovernable rage,
Tutti's voice reached him.

"Oh, Tuttu, Tuttu! the _scaldino_!"

Tuttu darted across the street towards the stone where he had left the
precious r