"The lady will send you to the Madonna!"
"The Madonna will pity you."
"Speak! Speak!"
"She's become dumb, signora."
"She hasn't spoken for three days."
In the midst of the confused cries of the women, the child cried still louder.
"Do you hear how he cries?"
"He always cries loudest, signora, at nightfall."
"Perhaps it's coming soon."
"Perhaps the child has seen——"