"Isn't he beautiful! May I pet him?"
Pappina had not waited for permission, but was patting the pig's head. As she stroked his bristles she prattled to the girl.
"You see," she said confidingly, "we are poor now, but we are going to America, and we are going to get rich. Guiseppe said so this very morning. When we come back I want to buy Savio. You'll let me have him, won't you? I'll be good to him. I'll buy him a new ribbon every day, and a necklace, too—that is, if there's money enough," she added thoughtfully.
The girl, Susanna, laughed heartily as she replied:
"When you come back from America, you shall have my dear Savio. Now I must be going. Good–by." She waved her hand to Pappina as she moved on.
Guiseppe and Marta stood watching Pappina with amusement, but as she started to follow Susanna and Savio, Guiseppe called: "Pappina, Pappina."
Pappina either did not or would not hear. Louder and louder Guiseppe shouted her name. Susanna stopped.
"Is it not you he calls?" she asked. "Are you not Pappina?"
"Yes, yes, but I want to walk just a little way with you and Savio. You'll let me, won't you?"
"Pappina!" Guiseppe's voice sounded harsh and angry.