Still Antonino's eyes followed them, though he did not move.

Sebastiano looked up at him uneasily from time to time, but Ruggiero gazed steadily at the sea with the affectation of proud indifference to scrutiny, which is becoming in a boy of twelve years.

At last the old man stirred, turned slowly as on a pivot and went into the shop.
"Is it not better to speak to him ?" asked Sebastiano of his brother in a whisper.
"No.

He is deaf.

If he did not understand us he would be angry and would give us no bread." Presently Don Antonino came out again.