as written out by Maddalena, after hearing it froma man who was a native of Volterra, is "The Female Pilgrim of the House of the Wind". It may be added that, as the tale declares, the house in question is still standing. There is a peasant's house at the beginning of the hill or ascent leading to Volterra, and it is called the House of the Wind. Near it there once stood a small palace, wherein dwelt a married couple, who hadbut one child, a daughter, whom they adored. Truly if the child had but aheadache, they each had a worse attack from fear. Little by little as the girl grew older, and all the thought of themother, who was very devout, was that she should become a nun. But thegirl did not like this, and declared that she hoped to be married like others. And when looking from her window one day, she saw and heardthe birds singing in the vines and among the trees all so merrily, she said to her mother that she hoped some day to have a family of little birds of her own, singing round her in a cheerful nest. At which the motherwas so angry that she gave her daughter a cuff. And the young lady wept,but replied with spirit, that if beaten or treated in any such manner, thatshe would certainly soon find some way to escape and get married, for she had no idea of being made a nun against her will. At hearing this the mother was seriously frightened, for she knew thespirit of her child, and was afraid lest the girl already had a lover, andwould make a great scandal over the blow; and turning it all over, she thought of an elderly lady of good family, but much reduced, who wasfamous for her intelligence, learning, and power of persuasion, and shethought, "This will be just the person to induce my daughter to becomepious, and fill her head with devotion and make a nun of her." So she sent for this clever person, who was at once appointed the governess andconstant attendant of the young lady, who, instead of quarreling with he...
