Unlike most of the peasant folk, she was bent on business; carrying upon her head a heavy pile of some ornamented fabric--shawls or something of the kind--she entered shops, and paused at house doors, in the endeavour to find purchasers.

I watched her for a long time, hoping she might make a sale, but ever she was unsuccessful; for all that she bore herself with a dignity not easily surpassed.

Each offer of her wares was made as if she conferred a graceful favour, and after each rejection she withdrew unabashed, outwardly unperturbed, seeming to take stately leave.

Only her persistence showed how anxious she was to earn money; neither on her features nor in her voice appeared the least sign of peddling solicitude.

I shall always remember that tall, hard-visaged woman, as she passed with firm step and nobly balanced figure about the streets of Catanzaro.