The fire in his eyes went out, his head sank upon his breast, and his hands fell to his sides. I grasped one of them in mine.
The old man returned my grasp bravely, and tried to smile.
"It is sad, is it not, my friend," he said, "that my art should have brought this misfortune upon me!"
Deborah's laughter gurgled down from the bench. Evidently she was in difficulties with her marionettes. An idea came to me.
"Wait for me one minute," I said. "Perhaps Miss Speedwell can help us."
"It is time to raise the curtain," answered Pietro. "You are a good friend. I go to my work with an uplifted heart."
I hastened to the steps at the end of the bench. As I turned to mount them, I felt a hand upon mine, and found Beatrice beside me.
"You lofe-a her!" declared the child, solemnly.
The thought that I carried my heart upon my sleeve annoyed me.
"Beatrice," I exclaimed, "you must learn not to be silly. You are too young to think of such things."