Nicola was not pleased when Jacopo asked the narrator to drive them to Poleta as he 

• did not want a stranger to become involved with their plans 

• preferred going to Poleta by train so that he could enjoy the scenery 

• did not want to ask help from anyone for favours 

• did not want to take help from someone he did not know well

The boys were the first to join the resistance movement against the Germans because 

The author did not speak to the boys on their journey because 

'We do many things, sir,' Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully. 

He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale.

He smiled uncomfortably. 'Just plans, sir,' he answered in a low voice. 

Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years. 

Why didn't Luigi, the driver, approve of the two?

Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?

Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?

How were the boys useful to the author?