The children gave a shout and swooped back into the convent.

And when she reached the chapel door, there they were on her skirts again, a big boy brandishing the key.
Eleanor took it and parleyed with them.

They were to go away and leave her alone--quite alone.

Then when she came back they should have _soldi_.
The children nodded shrewdly, withdrew in a swarm to the corner of the cloister, and watched events.
Eleanor entered.

From some high lunette windows the cool early sunlight came creeping and playing into the little whitewashed place.