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“You kno Ma your violin on the street corners of Pordenone,” Alberto gruar”

“Maer with us, to even worry about it,” Maria said stubbornly

“Maria!” Alberto storlad that Mama is dead and buried”

Maria hung her head sadly “I didn't mean it that way,” she murmured “I only meant to say that I am free to do as I please now that Papa is in Americaand poor Mama…”

“You are not free to do as you please,” Alberto interrupted “I am the one who has been left in Italy to see after you, and I won't haveon a street corner like a waif Even if it is while playing the violin We have respectable jobs while being chimney sweeps You should be proud”

“Well, I hope Papa Finds us a nice place to live in A more openly

Alberto laughed heartily “Maria, all houses have chimneys Even in America”

“Well,a hand before her eyes “I've not seen clean fingers on my hands since we've become chimney sweeps”

Alberto took her hand in his and clutched tightly onto it Her fingers were slender and lean, like a true violinist's for sure, and he did understand her love for the instrument But he would not let her play for money to be tossed at her feet He just wouldn't She was destined for bettergreater things … a future of wealth in Americathe land where only the rich live

He gazed at her beauty Beneath her billed hat lay ato her waist when set free And the gentle curve to her jaw, accentuated by the full sensuousness of her lips took one's attention from the one flaw of her classic Italian features … a birthmark of a strawberry color, the size of a sht cheek When she laughed, it would be as though erased, as it would tighten and blend in with her dark olive skin tones

Alberto laughed to hi birthplace

H

is gaze lowered, feeling a racing of the pulsebeat in the hollow of his throat Maria was not yet aware of how her curves could affect aaround the house after bathing, and in more skimpy attire, Maria hadn't yet learned to be e, ripe breasts see when she walked, and when she stretched out on the makeshift bed of leaves that they shared, she didn't know to not cuddle up so close to Albertohaving done so since childhood

Suddenly seeing that Maria was studying hi upward from his neck and turned his head quickly away

“What were you thinking, Alberto?” she asked, leaning in front of him, to look up into his face She loved his tallnesseven though she could al was all that was required to be standing nose to nose with him