XXV

'Bravo!Bravo!' Hebegantowalkhomewards,andthecrowdfollowed,makingtheoldgreystreetsringwiththeirshouts.Oneachsidepeoplewerethrongingandstoodontiptoetoseehim,themenwavingtheircapsandthrowingthemintheair,thewomenmadlyflourishinghandkerchiefschildrenwerehoistedupthattheymightseethegreatmanpass,andjoinedtheirshrillcriestothetumult.ThenitoccurredtosomeonetospreadhiscloakforCheccotowalkon,andatonceeveryonefollowedhisexample,andthepeoplepressedandstruggledtolaytheirgarmentsbeforehisfeet.Andbasketsofflowerswereobtainedandscatteredbeforehim,andtheheavyscentofthenarcissifilledtheair.Theshoutswereofallkindsbutatlastonearose,andgatheredstrength,andreplacedtheothers,tilltenthousandthroatswereshouting,— 'PaterPatri?!PaterPatri?!' Checcowalkedalongwithbarehead,hiseyescastdown,hisfacequitewhite.Histriumphwassogreat—thathewasafraid! ThegreatprocessionenteredthestreetinwhichstoodthePalazzoOrsi,andatthesamemoment,fromthegatesofthepalaceissuedChecco'swifeandhischildren.Theycametowardsus,followedbyatroopofnobleladies.TheymetandChecco,openinghisarms,claspedhiswifetohisbreastandkissedhertenderlythen,withhisarmroundherwaist,thechildrenoneachside,heproceededtowardshishouse.Iftheenthusiasmhadbeengreatbefore,nowitwastentimesgreater.Thepeopledidnotknowwhattodotoshowtheirjoynowordscouldexpresstheiremotiontheycouldonlygiveahugedeafeningshout,— 'PaterPatri?!PaterPatri?!'