He could not help wishing that he might stay with them permanently, but he knew that this could not be.

To remain in the same city with the padrone was out of the question.
Meanwhile we return to the house which Phil had forsaken, and inquire what effect was produced by his non-appearance.
It was the rule of the establishment that all the boys should be back by midnight.

Phil had generally returned an hour before that time.

When, therefore, it was near midnight, the padrone looked uneasily at the clock.
"Have you seen Filippo ?" he asked, addressing his nephew.
"No, signore," answered Pietro.

"Filippo has not come in." "Do you think he has run away ?" asked the padrone, suspiciously.
"I don't know," said Pietro.
"Have you any reason to think he intended to run away ?" "No," said Pietro.
"I should not like to lose him.