Nino grew restless, and laid his grim head on Ercole's knee, and his bloodshot eyes began to glow in the dark like coals.

Then Ercole moved at last.
"Ugly animal, do you wish me well ?" he asked, rubbing the dog's head with his knotty hand.

"If you are good, you shall go on a journey with me." Nino's body moved in a way which showed that he would have wagged his tail if he had possessed one, and he uttered a strange gurgling growl of satisfaction.
The next morning, the old woman came before sunrise with water.
"You need not bring any more, till I let you know," Ercole said.

"I am going away on business for a few days, and I shall shut up the house." "For anything that is in it, you might leave the door open," grumbled the hag, who was of a sour temper.

"Give me my pay before you go." "You fear that I am going to America," retorted Ercole, producing an old sheepskin purse from the inside of his waistcoat.