They would have taught this child, too, but she would never go to them.

'Within four walls I am stupid as a stone,' she said, and said aright.

'But the Sisters would help you to learn things useful for all your life.'

The child shook her head.

'I can sail a boat and cast a net; they cannot.'

'Some fisher lad must take you in a year or two.'

'They will not take me,' said the child, not understanding the sense that was meant. 'They are jealous, because I am strong. The old men take me; they are kind, sometimes; old Andreino most of all.'

Joconda said no more; she would not disturb the innocence and ignorance of the child by saying what she herself had meant.

'These thoughts come soon enough,' she said to herself, and added aloud:

'Don Piero says you sing like all the angels. 'That is better than even to sail a boat, for it pleases those in heaven.'

'I sing for myself,' said the child, 'and it is on the sea that I sing the best. In the church my throat gets full of dust; there is no air, and I hate it.'