At the mention of the Toledo, Pappina was only too ready to hurry along with Marta. So, half running, they reached Guiseppe's side just as he set up the Punchinellos.
Pappina, looking with disappointment up and down the street, asked: "Marta, is this the Toledo?"
"Yes."
"Then where are all the grand people in their fine carriages?"
"The grand people have nearly all gone away from Naples, away to the coast, where it is cool," Marta replied.
The crowd was now considered large enough to warrant a performance of the show.
Pappina was the most interested of the spectators. When she had seen the show with Filippo she had been so absorbed in the puppets' actions that she had not noticed it was Guiseppe who moved them, spoke for them with a change of voice, and lived through all their passions for them. To–day, standing close to him, she understood. She looked wonderingly, first at him, then at the puppets, and knowing that it was all make–believe, she did not cry out against the villain's actions.
When the play was finished, both Pappina and Marta passed through the crowd to collect the pay for the performance, but there were only a few soldi from the sprinkling of soldiers—nothing more.
Guiseppe was on the point of bursting out in angry abuse when he bethought himself.