Question

What were the various qualities in the boys that attracted the author towards them?

Answer 1

These two boys exhibited the characteristics of true gentlemen who took life in their stride and displayed grace and courage in the face of adversities. Hence, the title fits aptly when it comes to a story about these two boys. Their maturity and selfless love was far beyond their actual years. Nicola and Jacopo were the epitome of gentlemanly grace and integrity of character. Their devotion and dedication to the most menial of tasks and their constant hunger for work inspired the narrator to follow them around. The most important thing about them was that what he had mistaken for their innocence was actually their maturity.