"Buy me some," she begged. "I'll sing, then, the very best I can. Won't you, please, Guiseppe?"
Guiseppe was in no mood for trifling. He stretched forth his hand and took Pappina roughly by the arm. As they started to leave the booth the vender called: "Un soldo! Un soldo!" The child stopped.
"Guiseppe, do you hear? Only a penny."
"Un soldo! Un soldo!" again cried the vender.
"Only a soldo, dear Guiseppe," Pappina pleaded, "and I do so want some! Let me sing for some."
"Stop now and sing for a half–penny's worth of pig! Simpleton! If you must have some, here—" He took a soldo from his money–bag. So Pappina got her piece of pig.
Guiseppe, Marta and Pappina joined the worshipers, leaving before mass was over in order to find a good place in which to begin the Punchinello show as soon as the throng had finished its devotions.
As the people began to leave the church, Guiseppe started the show. One play was over by the time the priests, bearing bright banners, had marched from the sanctuary. Guiseppe was preparing to begin the second play when Pappina sprang suddenly to his side.
"Stop, Guiseppe, I beg you! Let me sing for them." She pointed to the hundred children dressed in white who were marching out of the church. Without waiting for permission to sing Pappina laid her tambourine on her breast, clasped her hands over it as if in prayer, raised heavenward her eyes and sang:
"Ave Maria, gratia plena."