"Hasn't any one explained to you anything about music?" "No, I play just what I hear." "I'll teach you, I will." "You know everything, then?" "Well so I ought to, if I'm the director." I wanted to show Mattia that I also was a musician. I took my harp and, wishing to impress him, I sang the famous canzonette. Then, as it should be between artists, he complimented me. He had great talent. We were worthy of each other. I buckled my knapsack and Mattia, in turn, hoisted it on his shoulders. We had to stop at the first village to give a performance. It was to be the "First appearance of Remi's Company." "Teach me your song," said Mattia; "we'll sing it together, and I'll soon be able to accompany you on the violin. That'll be pretty." Certainly, that would be pretty, and the "distinguished audience" would have a heart of stone if they were not generous in their offerings. At the first village that we came to we had to pass before a large farm gate; looking in we saw a crowd of people dressed up in their best; some of them carried bouquets tied with satin streamers. It was a wedding. I thought that perhaps these people might like a little music and dance, so I went into the farmyard and suggested it to the first person that I met. This was a big, good-natured looking man with a red face; he wore a tall white collar and a Prince Albert coat. He did not reply to my question, but turning to the guests, he put his two fingers in his mouth and gave such a shrill whistle that it frightened Capi. "Say, you all," he cried, "what about a little music; the musicians have arrived." "Oh, music! music!" came the chorus. "Take your places for the quadrilles!" The dancers soon gathered in the middle of the yard. Mattia and I took our places up in a wagon. "Can you play the quadrilles?" I whispered anxiously. "Yes." He struck a few notes on his violin. By luck I knew the air. We were saved. Although Mattia and I had never played together, we did not do badly. It is true the people had not much ear for music. "Can one of you play the cornet?" asked the big man with the red face. "I can," said Mattia, "but I haven't the instrument with me." "I'll go and find one; the violin's pretty, but it's squeaky." I found that day that Mattia could play everything. We played until night, without stopping. It did not matter for me, but poor Mattia was very weak. From time to time I saw him turn pale as though he felt ill, yet he continued to play, blowing with all his might. Fortunately, I was not the only one who saw that he was ill; the bride remarked it also. "That's enough," she said; "that little chap is tired out. Now all hands to your pockets for the musicians!" I threw my cap to Capi, who caught it in his jaws. "Give your offerings to our secretary, if you please," I said.