Opposite Alfio's house lived Massaro Cola, who was as rich as a hog, as they said, and who had an only daughter named Santa.

Turiddu, to spite Lola, paid his addresses to Santa and whispered sweet words into her ear.
"Why don't you go and say these nice things to Lola ?" asked Santa one day.
"Lola is a fine lady now; she has married a crown prince.

But you are worth a thousand Lolas; she isn't worthy of wearing your old shoes.

I could just eat you up with my eyes, Santa"-- thus Turiddu.
"You may eat me with your eyes and welcome, for then there will be no leaving of crumbs." "If I were rich I would like to have a wife just like you." "I shall never marry a crown prince, but I shall have a dowry as well as Lola when the good Lord sends me a lover." The tassel on his cap had tickled the girl's fancy.

Her father disapproved of the young soldier, and turned him from his door; but Santa opened her window to him until the village gossips got busy with her name and his.