The old woman cried with joy when she heard the child's merry laughter after all that time, for it had been a great grief to her to see the bright child so terribly changed.

She loved to leave the children by themselves, for then they always seemed to enjoy themselves best.

From time to time she heard their happy laughter; it thrilled her with joy, and she never wanted to interrupt it.

She had seen how Cornelli behaved when listening to one of Dino's stories; the little girl was as eager as if she were experiencing it all herself.
In her burning zeal she would fling back her hair, her eyes would sparkle as in days gone by, and a brightly laughing face would regard the story teller.

Everything else was forgotten for the time; but if something reminded Cornelli of her own life and troubles, all sunshine was suddenly gone from her face, her forehead clouded up, and the horrible sticky hair was again hanging over her eyes.
So Martha always tried to leave the children undisturbed.