'I should have thought you had been their sister,' said Sidonia.
'My eldest son is fifteen! I often wish that he was anything else but
what he is, but we do not like to separate. We are all one family, sir,
and that makes us bear many things.'
'Well, I think I know a way to increase your audience,' said Sidonia.
'Indeed! I am sure it is very kind of you to say so much; we have not
met with a gentleman like you the whole time we have been here.'
Sidonia descended the stairs; the smoking amateurs made way for him
with great parade, and pushed back with equal unkindness the young and
wistful throng who still hovered round the portal.
'Don't you see the gentleman wants to go by? Get back, you boys!'
Sidonia halted on the doorway, and, taking advantage of a momentary
pause, said, 'All the little boys are to come in free.'
What a rush!
The performances commenced by the whole of the Baroni family appearing
in a row, and bowing to the audience. The father was now dressed in
a Greek costume, which exhibited to perfection his compact frame: he
looked like the captain of a band of Palikari; on his left appeared the
mother, who, having thrown off her cloak, seemed a sylph or a sultana,
for her bonnet had been succeeded by a turban.
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