Right from the beginning, we see that the narrator is impressed by the quiet dignity and earnestness of the boys. The narrator instinctively knows that these boys, though shabby in their appearance, have grace. The boys come out as admirable brothers who work selflessly and tirelessly for the treatment of their dear sister. They work day in and day out, but live on black bread and figs. They are shabby in their dress, but keep their sister in an expensive hospital so that she gets the best of care.

Though Nicola is only twelve and Jacopo eleven, the hardship in life has made the boys very mature for their age. When the boys work till midnight, trying to sell the last bundle of newspaper to the travellers of the last bus, we see Jacopo leaning against the 

shoulder of his brother and sleeping, whereas Nicola is very alert. Nicola has a stronger sense of self-reliance and pride. He is not happy to take unnecessary favours from the narrator and is unhappy that Jacopo has requested the narrator to take them to Poleta in his car. At Poleta, the narrator comes to know from the nurse about their family, how they had become homeless, and how they had taken care of their sister who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.

The narrator is deeply touched by the nobility of the boys and marvels at their invincible spirit. It is this dignity, honesty, selfreliance, selflessness and unremitting willingness to work at such a young age, in such difficult circumstances that make the narrator observe that ‘this silent epic of youthful devotion’ touched him deeply.