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One morning, shortly after sunrise, Madonna Dianora, as the

sister of Messer Antonio was called, had occasion to go into the

vineyard as usual to gather herbs for seasoning the dinner, and

hearing a slight rustling among the leaves of a vine she turned

her eyes in that direction, and heard something resembling the

cry of an infant. Whereupon she went towards it, and saw the

hands and face of a baby who was lying enveloped in the leaves

and who seemed to be crying for its mother. Partly wondering and

partly fearing, yet full of compassion, she lifted it up and

carried it to the house, where she washed it and clothed it with

clean linen as is customary, and showed it to Messer Antonio when

he returned home. When he heard what had happened and saw the

child he was not less surprised or compassionate than his sister.

They discussed between themselves what should be done, and seeing

that he was priest and that she had no children, they finally

determined to bring it up.