Beppo quickly recognized the voice of his father, and, greatly moved, cried, “What are you doing here, papa, at this hour?”
“I have sought you everywhere for a month.”
“Where is mamma?”
“Yonder.”
“Where?”
“At the end of that field.”
“And my brothers?”
“They are also there.”
“And what are they doing in the field?”
“They are awaiting you with open arms.”
“Oh, how I would like to see them!”
“Come, then, with me.”
“If I only could! But at present I cannot, truly I cannot.” And, saying this, the little monkey began to cry and rub his eyes in desperation.
“And why?”
“Because I have promised a friend”—
“And what promise have you made?”
“I promised to go away with him to-night and to accompany him around the world.”
“And have you the courage to leave your poor family? Without you, Beppo, we shall all die of grief.”
“Oh, do not say that! But I hate to break my promise.”
“When must you go?”
“In a few minutes.”
“Come, at least, to say good-bye to your mother and brothers.”
“And if Mr. Alfred should call me in the mean time?”
“Who is Mr. Alfred?”
“He is my friend.”
“If he calls you—why, let him call.”
“And if the boat goes?”
“Let it go.”
Contented at having found a good excuse for not keeping his promise, the little monkey said, shaking his head: “All right. Before going on the trip, I wish to see my mamma and my brothers.” Having said that, he mounted to the window, and, giving a great big jump, he cast himself down. Then one heard a splash, like that of a great big stone fallen in a trench of water and mud.
“Help me, father, or I die!” cried Beppo.
What had happened, my readers? Why, the ground of that field, on account of the rain the preceding day, was covered with water. Beppo was immersed clean up to his throat. Fortunately, his father saved him in good time. But, when he came out of that bog, he carried no more his boots. His beautiful boots were buried two feet under the earth. “Oh,” he said, laughing, “I will have to buy a new pair.”
Without losing time, papa and son ran along the road. But they had not gone twenty feet when Beppo heard flying over his head a nocturnal bird which suddenly plucked away the beautiful blue silk travelling cap.
“Bad bird! Give me my cap immediately,” cried the little monkey.
“Cucu!” said the bird, and flew away.
“Oh! I shall have to buy a new cap.”
Papa and son began to run again. But a large thorn caught Beppo’s trousers and coat, and reduced him to the last tatters.
“Now here am I without trousers and a coat,” said Beppo.
“Buy new ones,” said his father.
“Oh, poor me, poor me!” cried Beppo. “Of all my beautiful clothes, I have left only a shirt and a collar.” Saying this, he caught for his shirt, but instead he found a shirt of nettles. He touched his neck, in order to see if the collar was there, but he felt wiggling in his fingers a large serpent, like an eel of the sea.