Phil took his fiddle from its hiding-place in the interior of the tree, and walked beside his companion into the schoolroom.
It was the first time he had ever been in a schoolroom before, and he looked about him with curiosity at the desks, and the maps hanging on the walls. The blackboards, too, he regarded with surprise, not understanding their use.
After the opening exercises were concluded, the teacher, whose attention had been directed to the newcomer, walked up to the desk where he was seated. Phil was a little alarmed, for, associating him with his recollections of the padrone, he did not know but that he would be punished for his temerity in entering without the teacher’s invitation.
But he was soon reassured by the pleasant tone in which he was addressed.
“What is your name, my young friend?”
“Filippo.”
“You are an Italian, I suppose.”
“Si, signore.”
“Does that mean ‘Yes, sir’?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Phil, remembering to speak English.