“A hundred! A hundred and one, if you like! Only take the spell off.” So Padre Ulivo gave him permission to rise, and Death went away. * * * * * Things went on as usual for the hundred years, with feasting and merry-making. But at last, as Padre Ulivo was among his friends, Death appeared again. “Yes, yes, I’m ready. But let us have a feast of figs first. See what splendid fruit there! I and my friends had as much as we wanted yesterday, it’s your turn to-day. Go up and help yourself; I am too old to climb.” So Death went up the tree and picked and ate to his heart’s content. “Now we must go,” said he. “Hullo! I can’t get down. Oh, Padre Ulivo, you’ve bewitched me again!” And he stretched out now an arm, now a leg, and twisted and turned; but it was all of no good, and the others stood below laughing at him. “Oh, Padre Ulivo! I’ll leave you another hundred years, if you’ll only let me get down.” “Very well; then you may come.” So Death climbed down and went away. * * * * * When the hundred years were passed, he came and stood outside the cottage. “Padre Ulivo, Padre Ulivo, come out! I shan’t come near your house this time. I don’t want to be tricked again.” “Oh, no, I’m coming. Wait till I get my jacket.” So he put on his coat and went with Death. On the way they met the Devil. “Ah, good morning, Padre Ulivo” (one can see they knew each other very well), “so you’re coming my way, are you?” “To be sure I am. But let’s have a game at cards first.” “By all means! What shall we play for?” “For souls. A soul for every game.” “Good! I’m not afraid. Nobody ever beat the Devil yet at cards.” So they began, and Padre Ulivo won game after game. The Devil got very angry and spit flames of fire from sheer rage, as he saw the crowd of souls collecting round Padre Ulivo. “This will never do,” he said at last. “I shall have no fire left to warm myself at if I go on losing my fuel at this rate. Padre Ulivo, take your souls and be off. I have had enough of you.” They left the Devil boiling over with fury, and went and knocked at the gate of Heaven. “Who’s there?” “Padre Ulivo.” “I’ll go and ask if you may come in.” Then, after a little time: “Dominiddio says you may come in, if you’re alone; but you must not bring anyone else.” “Go and tell Dominiddio that when he came to me I let him in with all his friends. He ought to do the same by me.” The porter took the message, and then came and opened the gates. “Dominiddio says you may all come in together.” So they threw themselves down in the armchairs of Paradise, and enjoyed themselves for ever. * * * * *