"Get up, Marta, and wake the beauty! Up, I say! Let's be off. Make haste, Marta. We'll soon be rich; do you hear?"
Pappina, hearing his loud call, sprang up at once. She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sure she was awake.
"Was I dreaming, Guiseppe, or did you—did I really hear you say we'll soon be rich?" she asked.
Guiseppe hesitated a moment before replying: "Si, si, carina. If you'll always sing and dance as you did yesterday, we will go to America where there is no end of money."
"Oh, I'd like that!" and Pappina clapped her hands.
Something in her movements reminded Guiseppe of a song he used to sing.
"Come, girl," he said cheerfully, "here's a song—a new one that just suits you. Funny I never thought of it before! Listen, my beauty, and see how quickly you can learn it. It will bring gold, and gold brings everything. It will take us across the ocean to America. Come—stand up—so!"
Pappina needed no second bidding. She took her position opposite Guiseppe, alert to follow every tone, word, and gesture. Many times the man stopped to laugh at and applaud Pappina for her wonderful aptness, and his praises made her more keen to imitate him perfectly.
The child's dark hair hung in disorder about her animated face, her great black eyes were aglow as she sang, danced and recited, going over the song again and again, she and Guiseppe both so interested that neither realized the flight of time.