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THE ANCIENT MARTYRDOM 2ig
hole in the curtain, " Donna Micaela," he cried, just
as Donna Emilia had done before. " We shall play
notwithstanding. It is so beautiful. It needs no
spectators."
At that moment Donna Emilia came herself and
opened the door and, courtesying, held it wide open.
It was the rector, Don Matteo, that came.
" What do you say of me, Donna Micaela ? " he said
laughing. " But you understand, it is ’ The Ancient
Martyrdom.’ I saw it in my youth at the grand
opera in Palermo, and I believe it was that old play
that made me a priest."
The next time the door opened, it was Father Elia
and Brother Tommaso, who entered with their
violins under their arms, groping their way to their
accustomed places as calmly as though there had never
been any wrangling with Don Antonio.
The door opened again. It was an old woman
from the alley above the little Moor’s house. She
was dressed in black, and made the sign of the cross
as she entered.
After her came four or five old women, and Donna
Micaela looked quite indignantly at them, as they
gradually filled the theater. She knew that Don
Antonio would not be satisfied before he had again
his own audience, before he had his beloved
headstrong boys to play for.
Suddenly she heard a storm or thunder. The doors
flew wide open, ail rushed in at the same time. It was
the boys. They took their accustomed places as
confidently as though they were entering their home.
They looked at each other, somewhat abashed.
But it had been impossible for them to see one old
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