They would all follow him up to the market-place. There, there would be even more flags than in the streets, and Gaetano would speak from the steps of the town hall. And from all the streets and courts people would come streaming. Then Gaetano would speak, so that they should all fall on their knees and cry: “Bless us, Fra Gaetano, bless us!” After that he would never leave Diamante again. He would live under the great steps outside Donna Elisa’s shop. And they would come to him with their sick, and those in trouble would make a pilgrimage to him. When the syndic of Diamante went by he would kiss Gaetano’s hand. Donna Elisa would sell Fra Gaetano’s image in her shop. And Donna Elisa’s god-daughter, Giannita, would bow before Fra Gaetano and never again call him a stupid monk-boy. And Donna Elisa would be so happy. * * * * * Ah … Gaetano started up, and awoke. It was bright daylight, and Donna Elisa and Pacifica stood and looked at him. And Gaetano sat on the stairs with his shoes under his arm, his hat on his head and his bundle at his feet. But Donna Elisa and Pacifica wept. “He has wished to run away from us,” they said. “Why are you sitting here, Gaetano?” “Donna Elisa, I wanted to run away.” Gaetano was in a good mood, and answered as boldly as if it had been the most natural thing in the world. “Do you want to run away?” repeated Donna Elisa. “I wished to go off on Etna and be a hermit.” “And why are you sitting here now?” “I do not know, Donna Elisa; I must have fallen asleep.” Donna Elisa now showed how distressed she was. She pressed her hands over her heart, as if she had terrible pains, and she wept passionately. “But now I shall stay, Donna Elisa,” said Gaetano. “You, stay!” cried Donna Elisa. “You might as well go. Look at him, Pacifica, look at the ingrate! He is no Alagona. He is an adventurer.” The blood rose in Gaetano’s face and he sprang to his feet and struck out with his hands in a way which astonished Donna Elisa. So had all the men of her race done. It was her father and her grandfather; she recognized all the powerful lords of the family of Alagona.