Marta shook her head.
"We shall just have to wait," she whispered. "Try to be patient."
Not far away, boys were coming from a large building, bearing on their heads long boxes or boards. Pappina watched them for a time; then she asked Marta what they were doing.
"They are bringing out paste [letter noodles]," Marta explained. "Do you see how they spread it out in the sun? That is so it will dry."
"I wish we were nearer, so I could see them better. May I go?"
"No, carina; I am sure Guiseppe will not let you, and I—no, I am sorry, carina, but I dare not let you go."
"But I want to go much so, Marta. Won't you please ask him?"
"It will only make him crosser, carina."
"I dare not ask him, for he will not even look at me," the child went on. "If you only knew how much I want to go, you would ask him. Please, please ask him, Marta!"