"open your hands," he said. maria-nunziata cupped her hands, but was afraid to put them under his.

"what have you got in there ?"

"something very nice. youll see."

"show me, first."

libereso opened his hands and let her look inside. his palm was full of multi-coloured rose-chafers, red and black and even purple ones, but the green were the prettiest. they were buzzing and slithering over each other and waving little black legs in the air. maria-nunziata hid her hands under her apron.

"here," said libereso. "dont you like them ?"

"yes," said maria-nunziata uncertainly, still keeping her hands under her apron.

"when you hold them tight they tickle; would you like to feel ?"

maria-nunziata held out her hands timidly, and libereso poured a cascade of rose-chafers of every colour into them.

"dont be frightened, they wont bite you."

"mammamia!" it hadnt occurred to her that they might bite her. she opened her hands and the rose-chafers spread their wings and the beautiful colours vanished and there was nothing

to be seen but a swarm of black insects flying about and settling.

"what a pity. i try to give you a present and you dont want it."

"i must go and do the washing up. the signora will be cross if she cant find me."

"dont you want a present ?"

"what are you going to give me now ?"

"come and see."

he took her hand again and led her through the flower-beds.

"i must get back to the kitchen soon, libereso. theres a chicken to pluck, too."

"poof!"

"why poof?"

"we dont eat the flesh of dead birds or animals."

"why, are you always in lent ?"

"what do you mean ?"

"well, what do you eat then ?"

"oh, all sorts of things, artichokes, lettuces, tomatoes. my father doesnt like us to eat the flesh of dead animals. or coffee or sugar, either."

"what dyou do with your sugar ration, then ?"

"sell it on the black market."