"Lucia told me," said the young man simply. "If you wish it, I will come and work."
Marzio hesitated a moment, beating his soft felt hat over his arm to remove the dust.
"You can go with the men and put up the prince's grating," he said at last. "The right hand side is ready fitted. If you work hard you can finish it before night."
"Very well," answered Gianbattista. "I will see to it. I have the keys here. In fire minutes I will come across."
Marzio nodded and went out. Gianbattista returned to the room where the women were finishing their dinner.
"It is all right," he said. "I am to put up the grating this afternoon. Will you come and see it, Sora Luisa?" He spoke to the mother, but he included the daughter by his look.
"It is very far," objected the Signora Pandolfi, "and we have been walking so much this morning. I think this day will never end!"
"Courage, mamma," said Lucia, "it will do you good to walk. Besides, there is the omnibus. What did he say, Tista? Am I not right?"
"Who knows? He is very quiet," replied the apprentice.
"What is it? What are you right about, my heart?" asked Maria Luisa.