"Who is it?" he asked of the intruder.
"Gamba," was the answer.
"Thou, brother!"
"Ay," continued the intruder; "and here are all of us."
"Indeed! and wherefore come you? I would sleep—I am weary. I must have rest."
"Thou hast too much rest, Pietro," said another of the brothers. "It is that of which we complain—that of which we would speak to thee now."
"Ha! this is new language, brethren! Answer me—perhaps I am not well awake; am I your captain, or not?"
"Thou art—the fact seems to be forgotten by no one but thyself. Though the youngest of our mother's children, we made thee our leader."
"For what did ye this, my brothers, unless that I might command ye?"
"For this, in truth, and this only, did we confer upon thee this authority. Thou hadst shown thyself worthy to command—"