"Oh dear, oh dear!" moaned the Signora Pandolfi, looking for her handkerchief in the anticipation of fresh tears.
"Do not cry, mamma. It is of no use," said Lucia.
"No, it is of no use to cry," assented the priest. "There is nothing to be done but to go and face Marzio, and not leave him until he has changed his mind. You are afraid to meet him at midday. I will go now to the workshop and find him."
"Oh, you are an angel, Paolo!" cried Maria Luisa, regaining her composure and replacing her handkerchief in her pocket. "Then we need not buy anything? What a relief!"
"I told you Uncle Paolo would know what to do," said Lucia. "He is so good—and so courageous. I would not like to face papa this morning. Will you really go, Uncle Paolo?" The young girl went and took down his cloak and hat from a peg on the wall, and brought them to him.
"Of course I will go, and at once," he answered. "But I must give you a word of advice."
"We will do everything you tell us," said the two women together.
"You must not ask him any questions, nor refer to the matter at all when he comes home."
"Diana! I would as soon speak of death!" exclaimed the Signora Pandolfi.
"And if he begins to talk about it you must not answer him, nor irritate him in any way."