“Very well, Dominic. But everyone who had a hand in this affair, I tell you, is going to - !”

“- Please!” Dominic suddenly interrupted him. Fr. Cugliero caught a pain in the boy's voice and looked intently at his face.

“Please,” Dominic continued. “Don't get mad on my account. Please forgive them... just this once.”

The priest hesitated and suspiciously eyed his student. Just this once?

“Well...” he muttered in a firm tone, trying to suppress a smile. “I'll overlook it this time.” Young Savio smiled broadly and the teacher was quick to add, “But if whoever did this is stupid enough to cause any more trouble, he's going to pay for it himself. And no one,” he shot a look at the Saint's grin, “No one will get him out of it!”