The crowd roared. Filippo pinched her.
"Shut up, you baby!" he whispered. "They're only puppets."
Pappina turned her flashing eyes for a moment toward Filippo, who expected his saucy sister to give his hair a vigorous pull, but she was too interested in the play to stop now even for this satisfaction.
Several times Filippo had to hold her by the arm, to prevent her from running to the rescue of the abused puppets. He was ashamed of her ignorance. He wanted her to go home, but she refused to move, and he knew her willfulness too well to insist.
The play continued. A puppet who refused to give up his money was beaten on the back till dead.
"Stop him! Stop him!" screamed Pappina in her excitement.
Filippo placed his hand over Pappina's mouth.
"Let her alone!" cried several persons in the crowd, so he stopped trying to repress her and joined in the merriment over her enthusiasm.
The play ends with the murder of the villain, an event which never fails to bring forth the laughter and applause of the audience, with shouts of "Hurrah! Hurrah!" This time, however, the crowd failed to show its approval in a more substantial way.
The hat was passed. Nothing was given.