On finishing her song for the second time, she stood silent for a moment, looked keenly at Wilhelm, and asked him, "_Know'st_ thou the land?"--"It must mean Italy," said Wilhelm: "where didst thou get the little song?"--"Italy!" said Mignon, with an earnest air. "If thou go to Italy, take me along with thee; for I am too cold here."--"Hast thou been there already, little dear?" said Wilhelm. But the child was silent, and nothing more could be got out of her. Melina entered now: he looked at the cithern,--was glad that she had rigged it up again so prettily. The instrument had been among Melina's stage-gear: Mignon had begged it of him in the morning, and then gone to the old harper. On this occasion she had shown a talent she was not before suspected of possessing. Melina had already got possession of his wardrobe, with all that pertained to it: some members of the town magistracy had promised him permission to act, for a time, in the place. He was now returning with a merry heart and a cheerful look. His nature seemed altogether changed: he was soft, courteous to every one,--nay, fond of obliging, and almost attractive. He was happy, he said, at now being able to afford employment to his friends, who had hitherto lain idle and embarrassed; sorry, however, that at first he could not have it in his power to remunerate the excellent actors whom fortune had offered him, in a style corresponding to their talents and capacities; being under the necessity, before all other things, of discharging his debt to so generous a friend as Wilhelm had proved himself to be.