` We can always try , ' answered Ciccu ; ` and if times are bad we can come back here and take up wood-cutting . ' So saying he picked up his bundle of sticks , and his brothers did the same . But when they reached the town they found that the market was overstocked with firewood , and they did not sell enough to buy themselves a dinner , far less to get any food to carry home . They were wondering sadly what they should do when Ciccu said , ` Come with me to the inn and let us have something to eat . ' They were so hungry by this time that they did not care much whether they paid for it or not , so they followed Ciccu , who gave his orders to the host . ` Bring us three dishes , the nicest that you have , and a good bottle of wine . ' ` Ciccu ! Ciccu ! ' whispered his brothers , horrified at this extravagance , ` are you mad ? How do you ever mean to pay for it ? ' ` Let me alone , ' replied Ciccu ; ' I know what I am about . ' And when they had finished their dinner Ciccu told the others to go on , and he would wait to pay the bill . The brothers hurried on , without needing to be told twice , ` for , ' thought they , ` he has no money , and of course there will be a row . ' When they were out of sight Ciccu asked the landlord how much he owed , and then said to his purse , ` Dear purse , give me , I pray you , six florins , ' and instantly six florins were in the purse . Then he paid the bill and joined his brothers . ` How did you manage ? ' they asked . ` Never you mind , ' answered he . ' I have paid every penny , ' and no more would he say . But the other two were very uneasy , for they felt sure something must be wrong , and the sooner they parted company with Ciccu the better .
Ciccu understood what they were thinking , and , drawing forty gold pieces from his pocket , he held out twenty to each , saying , ` Take these and turn them XXXXX good account .
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