So Piccino was taken down in as gingerly a manner as he had been put up, and Greggs set him discreetly on a bit of the floor not covered by rugs. He stood there without moving, his luminous eyes resting on Lady Aileen. Lady Aileen spoke to her companions, but he did not know what she was saying, because she spoke English. “He is exactly like some little animal,” she said. “He does not know what to make of it all. I am afraid he is rather stupid—but what a beauty!” “Poor little mite!” said the girl, “I dare say he is tired.” Nicholson appeared almost immediately. She was a neat, tall, prim young woman, who wore black cashmere and collar and apron of snow. Lady Aileen made a gesture towards Piccino. “I have brought this child from Ceriani,” she said. “Take him up-stairs and take his rags off and burn them. Give him a bath—perhaps two or three will be necessary. Get his hair in order. Modesta can change my dress for me. I shall come into the bathroom myself presently.” Piccino was watching her fixedly. What was she saying? What were they going to do to him? She turned away and went into the _salon_ with her guests, and Nicholson came towards him. She gave him the same uncomfortable feeling Greggs had given him. He felt that she did not like him, and she spoke in English. “Come up-stairs with me. I am going to wash you,” she said. But Piccino did not understand and did not move. So she had to take hold of his hand to lead him, which she objected very much to doing. She took him up the staircase, and through landings and corridors where he caught glimpses of wonderful bedrooms that were of dainty colors and had silk and lace and frills and cushions in them, and made him feel more strange than ever. And at last she opened a door and took him into a place which was all blue and white porcelain—walls and floors and everything else—including a strange large object in one corner, which had shining silver things at one end. And she released his hand and went to the silver things and twisted them round, and, as if by magic, two streams of clear water gushed out and began to fill the blue and white trough as the bed of a torrent is filled by the spring rains.