Dear Diary,
Guess what? Starting today, we are going to have a new person living with us and he's so cute! His name is Veneziano Vargas but we just call him Little Ita. One day Mr. Edelstein came back in and brought this little boy along with him. I asked him what the boy with brown hair was doing here, and Mr. Edelstein said that he had just annexed him, and will be in charge of his commerce, politics and the like, in exchange, he too will be working for him for the time being.
The young master said he was going to get back to work, and told young Italy to not wonder off. Before he turned away to leave, he asked the child if he had any questions. The child asked him one question before leaving, 'Will I be served pasta?' to which Mr. Edelstein replied with a firm 'no.' I thought that the young master was being a bit harsh to young Italy, but then again, he was quite strict about rules.
I turned back to my work for a bit and when I looked up after a few minutes, I noticed that young Italy had wondered off somewhere and the young master caught him doodling over a portrait of him in the main hall. I did not mean to pry, but I saw that he gave the newcomer a good spanking. I felt that I should do something, but then I realized that it was not my place to say anything.
I was a little more surprised when he stopped by and asked me to help take care of Little Ita, while he was busy with his work. I was filled with joy at the notion that I might be an older sister! I took the boy by the hand and led him to my quarters to get him some new clothes. I can feel his small fingers wrap tightly around my own hand and I felt bad for him, as the poor little kid seemed so confused and distressed in this new environment.
I helped undress him from his old clothes, well, more like rags from the look of them. He looked slightly under fed now that I've gotten a good look at him. I took out some of my old clothes and dressed him up in it. When I was finished I took a look at him and thought that something was missing. Then it clicked. I pulled out a spare apron and tied it around him. Ah, he looked so cute that I just wanted to cuddle him to death!
He still seemed confused so I tried my best to explain to him what he will be doing in the manor. He did not say much and just followed me around with that innocent and blank expression on his face. I did my best to show Little Ita how to sweep the floors properly, how to mop the floors and how to act in front of the others. When we were cleaning up the parlor, I noticed that he seemed to catch on pretty quick as he imitated my movements with the cloths and bucket of water. Cleaning with other people like this is so much more fun, and the more we cleaned together, the more attached I grew to the boy as I noticed how similar our situations were.
-Elizabeth
