The narrator did not go inside Lucia's room as 

• he did not want to intrude into their privacy 

• he thought that the boys would object 

• Lucia would not welcome a stranger 

• the boys would feel he was spying on them.

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?

Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit?