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Updated: May 16, 2025
Such scenes as he had just witnessed were not uncommon in the Pandolfi household, and Don Paolo did not believe that any consequence was to be expected after he had left the house. He only felt that Marzio had been more than usually unreasonable, and that the artist could not possibly mean seriously what he had proposed that evening.
At last, as the rays of the evening sun fell through the western window, he heard steps, and was presently rewarded by the appearance of the Signora Pandolfi, followed closely by Lucia. They greeted Gianbattista from a distance, for the church being under repairs was closed to the public, and had not been in use for years, so that the sound of voices did not seem unnatural nor irreverent.
Lucia, who, as has been said, had a very keen appreciation of facts, did not believe that things would go so smoothly. "You had better come back with him to our house when it is all over," she said, "just to give us a sign that it is settled, you know, Uncle Paolo." Don Paolo himself had his doubts about the issue, although he put such a brave face on it, and in spite of the Signora Pandolfi.
"We will do everything you tell us," said the two women together. "You must not ask him any questions, nor refer to the matter at all when he comes home." "Diana! I would as soon speak of death!" exclaimed the Signora Pandolfi. "And if he begins to talk about it you must not answer him, nor irritate him in any way." "Be easy about that," answered the fat lady.
"He will know what is best to be done, and will help us, you may be sure. Of course, he expected to see us before anything was done in the matter. But I am not afraid to face papa all alone. Besides, Tista is talking to him at this very minute. I told him all he was to say, and he has so much courage!" "I wish I had as much," moaned the Signora Pandolfi, lapsing into hesitation.
It was hard to say whether Signora Pandolfi was puffing or sighing as she paused for breath upon the landing, but there was probably something of both in the labour of her lungs. She was used to Marzio. She had lived with him for twenty years, and she knew his moods and his ways, and detected the coming storm from afar.
That is a way out of all difficulties," answered Lucia philosophically. "But you cannot go out alone " "I will stay at home in that case." "And then he will come to dinner, and ask to see the things " "There will be no things to show him," returned the young girl. "Well? And then where should we be?" inquired the Signora Pandolfi.
The Signora Pandolfi had reached the door, and called out at the top of her voice to the young man. "Tista! Tista!" She could have been heard in the street. "Eh, Sora Luisa! We are not in the Piazza Navona," said Gianbattista, appearing at the door of his little room. "What has happened?"
Tell me a little what we are to do two poor women all alone oh dear!" "In the first place, it needs courage, mamma," answered Lucia, "and a cup of coffee. It is still hot, and you have not had any " "Coffee! Who thinks of coffee?" cried the Signora Pandolfi, taking the cup from her daughter's hands, and drinking the liquid with more calmness than might have been anticipated.
"Marzio, you do not mean it?" said Maria Luisa, after a long interval of silence. The good woman did not possess the gift of tact. "Do you not see that I have an idea?" asked her husband crossly, by way of an answer, as he bent his head over his work. "I beg your pardon," said the Signora Pandolfi, in a humble tone, looking piteously at Gianbattista.
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