The porter kept his word, and took good care of Zorzi.

When the night boys had come, he carried him into the inner room and put him to bed like a child.

Zorzi asked him to tell the boys to wake him at the watches, as they had done on the previous night, and Pasquale humoured him, but when he went away he wisely forgot to give the message, and the lads, who knew that he had been hurt, supposed that he was not to be disturbed.

It was broad daylight when he awoke and saw Pasquale standing beside him.
"Are the boys gone already ?" he asked, almost as he opened his eyes.
"No, they are all asleep in a corner," answered the porter.
"Asleep!" cried Zorzi, in sudden anxiety.

"Wake them, Pasquale, and see whether the sand-glass has been turned and is running, and whether the fire is burning.