Silvio had never been so persistent in any fancy before. When he
screamed and cried she was able to bear it; but when the hours of pain
and suffering came, and the child went on whining and complaining in the
most touching manner, saying,
"One only feels perfectly well with Stineli, and nowhere else," that cut
his mother to the heart, and seemed like a reproach to her, as if she
would not do something that might make him well again; but how could she
possibly even think of it?
She had heard herself Rico's answer to Silvio when he asked if he knew
how to go to Stineli. It was,--
"No, I do not know the way; but I can easily find one."
She went on hoping day after day that Silvio would take up some new
whim, as had always before been the case: she had never found it
otherwise. If he had wished for something when he was well, he had
always given it up when his pain came on. But it was quite different
this time, and there really was a reason too. Rico's stories and remarks
about his friend Stineli had taken firm possession of the mind of the
over-sensitive child; and he believed that nothing would hurt him again,
if she were only by his side. So Silvio went on day after day in
increasing distress; and his mother did not know where to turn for
counsel and support.
CHAPTER XVI.
COUNSEL THAT BRINGS JOY TO MANY.
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