Yet, gazing at the two little figures, with their brown skins, tangled hair and earnest eyes, we felt ourselves strangely attracted.

------ we saw our friends bent over shoe shine boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing brisk business.

We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackened we went over.

He glanced at us hopefully.

My interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour.

My interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour.

Nicola's smile was steady and engaging.

Nicola' s smile was steady and engaging.

Nicola and Jacopo could be relied upon to satisfy our needs.

Nicola was glaring at his younger brother vexation.

He bit his lip, then in a rather put out tone he said "Very well.

I imagined that our destination would be some humble dwelling

But directed by Jacopo, we drew up at a large re-roofed villa.

I could scarcely believe my years.

I found a grilled side-entrance and determinedly rang the bell.

At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused

I felt I could not bear to intrude upon this happy family party.

For months they had barely kept themselves alive in a sort of shelter they built with their own hands amidst the rubble

Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life ------