Pappina had been losing her courage and Marta steadily growing braver. When she decided to grant Pappina's request, she felt quite fearless of Guiseppe as she went to his side.
"Guiseppe, have you noticed those boys?"
"I couldn't help noticing them, could I? They've been doing the same thing all day."
"Shall we walk over there and watch them?"
"Watch them! What for?"
By this time, Pappina had found courage to join Marta, who continued:
"I thought perhaps you would like to go. Pappina is interested in what they are doing; would you care if she goes for a while?"
Guiseppe made no reply. "I'll come back, Guiseppe," Pappina pleaded. "I know I'm bad and cross, but I have never told you a lie, never one." There was no reply. "I want so much to go. Oh, won't you please let me, Guiseppe?"
Pappina's earnest little face was raised appealingly toward his, but he did not even glance at her as he replied:
"Get along. I'll be glad to be rid of you for an hour. One hour—no longer—or there'll be trouble; do you hear?"