"It is not a question of chickens." "Dear Sora Luisa, you are too good," said Gianbattista.

"Let us go upstairs first, to begin with--you will catch cold here on the steps.
Come, come, courage, Sora Luisa!" He took the good woman's arm and led her upwards.

But Don Paolo stayed behind.

He believed it to be his duty to return to the workshop, and to try and undo the harm Gianbattista had done himself by the part he had played in the proceedings of the morning.

The Signora Pandolfi suffered herself to be led upstairs, panting and sobbing as she went, and protesting still that Gianbattista could not possibly be allowed to leave the house.
When Don Paolo had parted from the two women an hour earlier, they had not gone home as he had supposed, but, chancing to meet old Assunta near the house, the three had gone together to make certain necessary purchases.