And so that poor man went to the galleys, merely for hitting her on the head, and not meaning to kill her." "And you took the girl for your servant ?" "Yes.

She was old enough to work, and very strong, so we took her for charity.

But for my part, I was glad when she ran away, for she grew up handsome, and with that blood there surely would have been a scandal some day." "One sees that you are a very charitable person," Ercole observed thoughtfully.

"The girl must have been very ungrateful if she told untrue stories about your inn, after all you had done for her.

You had nourished a viper in your house." "That is what my wife says," Paoluccio answered, now quite calm.