Vinnie and Mandy followed Leo out of the workshop and into the streets of Florence.
"Wow!" gasped Mandy.
Women dressed in long gowns passed by.
Silver and gold nets held their hair away from their faces.
Men wearing leather shoes and hats bowed as the women passed.
"What a beautiful building!"
Mandy pointed across the street.
"That was designed by one of Florence's most famous architects," began Leo.
Then he described everything about the building.
"You sure do know a lot about architecture," said Vinnie.
"I like to learn about everything," Leo replied.
"By the way, thank you for helping us in there," said Mandy.
"Your teacher looked a little angry."
Leo shrugged.
"No need to thank me.
You guys were just lucky I found you first."
They walked down the street in silence.
Mandy noticed two men arguing with a young woman.
She asked Leo what was going on.
"Those men are angry about her dress," he said.
"Clothing is very important in Florence.
Her dress has stripes on the sleeves.
Women of her lower class are not allowed to wear stripes by law."
"What?" asked Mandy, shocked.
"There are strict rules about what people can and cannot wear," continued Leo.
"Do you mean poor people cannot wear certain clothing?"
asked Mandy, getting upset about the unfairness.
"Naturally," replied Leo.
"For example, only the wealthy can wear velvet and use gold thread."
"But—," began Mandy.
Vinnie interrupted.
"Hey Mandy, everyone is singing as they work," he said.
Sure enough, in almost every shop, people were singing or humming.
"Yes. It is our custom to sing as much as possible!" said Leo.
As they passed a barber shop, the owner came out.
He was a bald man with a big stomach.
He smiled when he saw Leo.
"How are you?" he cried.
He patted the boy on the back.
"Is your back tooth bothering you again?
I can pull it for you!"
"I'm fine, Signori Fontana," replied Leo.
"When are you coming for a trim?" asked Mr. Fontana.
Mandy looked inside.
A man was sitting in a big wooden chair, waiting to get his hair cut.
"Soon, I promise," said Leo.
"Bring me one of your magnificent drawings when you come, will you?" the man laughed.
He waved and went back inside the shop.
"Your barber pulls teeth?" asked Mandy, surprised.
"Of course, Signori Fontana also is the best surgeon in Florence," Leo replied.
They stopped on top of a bridge.
"This is the Ponte Vecchio, or the old bridge," explained Leo.
"It's one of six bridges in Florence."
The bridge was supported by three wide arches.
Shops selling meat, fruits, and flowers lined the road over the bridge.
Below, the river flowed calmly.
"It is one of the most beautiful places in Florence," said Leo.
The children agreed.