he trudged away with Tommo, who slung
his harp over his shoulder, and gave her his hand. It was rather a dirty
hand, but so kind that Tessa clung to it, and kept looking up at the
friendly brown face for encouragement.

'We go first to the _cafe_, where many French and Italians eat the
breakfast. They like my music, and often give me sips of hot coffee,
which I like much. You too shall have the sips, and perhaps the pennies,
for these people are greatly kind,' said Tommo, leading her into a large
smoky place where many people sat at little tables, eating and drinking.
'See, now, have no fear; give them "Bella Monica;" that is merry and
will make the laugh,' whispered Tommo, tuning his harp.

For a moment Tessa felt so frightened that she wanted to run away; but
she remembered the empty stockings at home, and the fine plan, and she
resolved _not_ to give it up. One fat old Frenchman nodded to her, and
it seemed to help her very much; for she began to sing before she
thought, and that was the hardest part of it. Her voice trembled, and
her cheeks grew redder and redder as she went on; but she kept her eyes
fixed on her old shoes, and so got through without breaking down, which
was very nice. The people laughed, for the song _was_ merry; and the fat
man smiled and nodded again. This gave her courage to try another, and
she sung better and better each time; for Tommo played his best, and
kept whispering to her, 'Yes; we go well; this is fine. They will give
the money and the blessed coffee.'

So they did; for, when the little concert was over, several men put
pennies in the cap Tessa offered, and the fat man took her on his knee,
and ordered a mug of coffee, and some bread and butter for them both.
This quite won her heart; and when they left the _cafe_, she kissed her
hand to the old Frenchman, and said to her friend, 'How kind they are! I
like this very much; and now it is not hard.'

But Tommo shook his curly head, and answered, soberly, 'Yes, I took you
there first, for they love music, and are of our country; but up among
the great houses we shall not always do well. The people there are busy
or hard or idle, and care nothing for harps and songs. Do not skip and
laugh too soon; for the day is long, and we have but twelve pennies
yet.'

Tessa walked more quietly, and rubbed her cold hands, feeling that the
world was a very big place, and wondering how the children got on at
home without the little mother. Till noon