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Updated: June 6, 2025
At that moment the master returned, and resumed the lesson. I kept my eye on Votini. He had turned as red as a coal. He took his sheet of paper very, very quietly, as though in absence of mind, rolled it into a ball, on the sly, put it into his mouth, chewed it a little, and then spit it out under the bench.
Then Votini fell to twirling his very handsome white castor hat on the tip of his forefinger; but the boy and it seemed as though he did it on purpose did not deign even a glance at the hat. Votini, who began to become irritated, drew out his watch, opened it, and showed me the wheels; but the boy did not turn his head. "Is it of silver gilt?" I asked him. "No," he replied; "it is gold."
Yesterday morning, during the lesson on religion, in the presence of the head-master, the teacher asked Derossi if he knew by heart the two couplets in the reading-book, "Where'er I turn my gaze, 'tis Thee, great God, I see." Derossi said that he did not, and Votini suddenly exclaimed, "I know them!" with a smile, as though to pique Derossi.
Sunday I shall go to walk with Votini, the well-dressed boy who is always polishing himself up, and who is so envious of Derossi. In the meantime, Garoffi came to the house to-day, that long, lank boy, with the nose like an owl's beak, and small, knavish eyes, which seem to be ferreting everywhere.
But, in the meantime, I perceived that Derossi's neighbors were plotting among themselves, and whispering in each other's ears, and one cut with penknife from paper a big medal on which they had drawn a black serpent. But Votini did not notice this. The master went out for a few moments.
Near the door was the wood-seller with his wife, both dressed in festive attire, together with their boy, who has a third prize in the second grade. I was amazed at no longer beholding the catskin cap and the chocolate-colored tights: on this occasion he was dressed like a little gentleman. In one balcony I caught a momentary glimpse of Votini, with a large lace collar; then he disappeared.
He is twelve years old, and the son of a merchant; he is always dressed in blue, with gilt buttons; he is always lively, merry, gracious to all, and helps all he can in examinations; and no one has ever dared to do anything disagreeable to him, or to say a rough word to him. Nobis and Franti alone look askance at him, and Votini darts envy from his eyes; but he does not even perceive it.
No one grows so enthusiastic as they over the narration of a generous action, of a grand deed." Votini inquired if they played well. "They are ardently fond of music," replied the master. "It is their delight: music is their life. Little blind children, when they first enter the Institute, are capable of standing three hours perfectly motionless, to listen to playing.
All at once Derossi's neighbors rose and left their seats, for the purpose of coming and solemnly presenting the paper medal to Votini. The whole class was prepared for a scene. Votini had already begun to quiver all over. Derossi exclaimed: "Give that to me!" "So much the better," they replied; "you are the one who ought to carry it." Derossi took the medal and tore it into bits.
Votini also excused himself, perhaps because he was afraid of soiling his clothes with plaster. We went there when we came out of school at four o'clock. It was raining in torrents. On the street Garrone halted, and said, with his mouth full of bread: "What shall I buy?" and he rattled a couple of soldi in his pocket. We each contributed two soldi, and purchased three huge oranges.
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