Antonino shook his head in rough sympathy.
"We have also beaten Don Pietro Casale, and so we have run away," yelled the boy.
Antonino grunted thoughtfully and his grey eyes twinkled as he slowly righted himself and stood up again.

Very deliberately he went into the shop again and presently came back with a big measure of weak wine and water.
"Drink," he said, holding out the jug.
Again the two boys pulled at their caps and each raised the jug respectfully toward the old man before drinking.
"To health," each said, and Antonino nodded gravely.
Then Ruggiero took the jug inside and rinsed it, as he knew it was his duty to do and set it on the table.

When he came back he stood beside his brother, waiting for Don Antonino to speak.

A long silence followed.
"Sleep," said the old man.

"Afterwards we will talk." He took his old place in the doorway and stared steadily out to sea.