Then Guiseppe with his glib tongue started all over again. He was ready with many arguments why it would be best for Pietro to hire Pappina to him.
"I will be good to her and educate her. Marta, my wife, and I will take her traveling over Italy like the daughter of a lord."
Still Pietro shook his head.
"Such advantages—can you refuse them? And the money—" Guiseppe leaned toward Pietro, slyly watching him as he repeated slowly, "and—the—money—".
Pietro raised his head a trifle, looking into the cunning eyes of the other man.
"Think how much it will do to feed and clothe the others," Guiseppe urged. "I pay you money for the right to give your child splendid advantages. Per bacco! What more do you ask?"
Pietro began to waver, and Guiseppe, seeing this, continued his arguments.
It was a case of a shrewd man bargaining with a poor, ignorant one. Guiseppe—smiling, shrugging his shoulders—met every objection, and at last Pietro consented to let him take Pappina for a year.
"Well, get the child ready," said Guiseppe, changing his tone from coaxing to command as soon as the bargain was closed and the money paid.