"I think we had better stay—at any rate till the auction is finished and we have had something to eat. Then we will go."
"Va bene."
The boy sounded doubtful.
"La povera signora!" he said. "How disappointed she will be! She did want to speak to me. Her face was all red; she was so excited when she saw me, and her mouth was wide open like that!"
He made a grimace, with earnest, heart-felt sincerity.
"It cannot be helped. To-night we will explain everything and make the signora quite happy. Look here! Buy something for her. Buy her a present at the auction!"
"Signorino!" Gaspare cried. "I will give her the clock that plays the 'Tre Colori'! Then she will be happy again. Shall I?"
"Si, si. And meet me in the market-place. Then we will eat something and we will start for home."
The boy darted away towards the watercourse. His heart was light again. He had something to do for the signora, something that would make her very happy. Ah, when she heard the clock playing the "Tre Colori"! Mamma mia!
He tore towards the watercourse in an agony lest he should be too late.