boutthinkingwhatIshoulddo.IcouldbeofnomoreusetoanyoneinForliindeed,Ihadneverbeenofuse,forIhadonlystoodbyandwatchedwhilethoseIlovedandhonouredwerebeingputtocrueldeaths.AndnowImustseethatmypresencedidnotharmmykindhosts.Caterinahadthrownintoprisonsomefiftyofthosewhohadtakenpartintherebellion,notwithstandinghersolemnpromiseofamnesty,andIknewwellenoughthatifIwerediscoveredPietroandAndreawouldsufferassevereapunishmentasmyself.Theygavenosignthatmypresencewasamenacetothem,butinthewoman'seyes,Andrea'smother,Isawananxiouslook,andatanyunexpectedsoundshewouldstartandlookfearfullyatme.Imadeupmymindtogoimmediately.WhenItoldAndrea,heinsistedoncomingwithme,andalthoughIpaintedthedangerinlivelycolourshewouldnotbedissuaded.Thenextdaywasmarket-day,andweresolvedtoslipoutinacartassoonasthegateswereopened.Wewouldbetakenfortradesmen,andnoonewouldpayattentiontous.
IwasanxioustoseewhatwashappeninginthetownandwhatpeopleweretalkingofbutIthoughtitprudentnottoventureout,formydisguisemightbeseenthrough,andifIwerediscoveredIknewwellwhattoexpect.SoIsatathometwiddlingmythumbsandchatteringwithAndrea.Atlast,gettingtiredofdoingnothing,andseeingthegoodwomanabouttoscrubouthercourtyard,Ivolunteeredtodoitforher.Igotabroomandapailofwaterandbegansweepingawayvigorously,whileAndreastoodinthedoorwayscoffing.ForalittlewhileIforgottheterriblesceneinthepiazza.