Part 2 (2/2)

”The Society of Acclimatation,” replied Mr. George. ”That is a society founded in Paris, and extending to all parts of the world, that is employed in finding new plants and new animals that can be made useful to man, or finding some that are useful to man in one country, and so introducing them into other countries. They are trying specially to find new silk worms.”

”There are some kinds of caterpillars in America,” said Rollo, ”that wind their silk up into b.a.l.l.s. I mean to get some of the b.a.l.l.s when I go home, and see if I can unwind them.”

”That will be an excellent plan,” said Mr. George.

”If I can only find the end,” said Rollo.

”There must be some art required to find the end,” rejoined Mr. George, ”and then I believe there is some preparation which is necessary to make the coc.o.o.ns unwind.”

”I wish I knew what it was,” said Rollo.

”You can inquire of some of the people when we stop to dine,” replied Mr. George.

”But I don't know enough Italian for that,” said Rollo.

”That's a pity,” said Mr. George.

In the mean time the horses trotted and galloped on until they had gone about ten miles, and then at length the postilions brought them up at the door of an inn, in a village. Fresh horses were standing all ready at the door, with new postilions. The postilions that had been driving took out their horses and led them away, and then came themselves to the window of the coupe and held out their caps for their _buono mano_, as they call it; that is, for a small present.

Every body in Italy, who performs any service, expects, in addition to being paid the price regularly agreed upon for the service, to receive a present, greater or smaller according to the nature of the case. This present is called the _buono mano_.[2]

[Footnote 2: p.r.o.nounced _bono mahno_.]

The postilions always expect a buono mano from the pa.s.sengers in the stage coach, especially from those who ride in the coupe.

Rollo gave them a few coppers each, for himself and for Mr. George, and just as he had done so, a young man without any hat upon his head, but with a white napkin under his arm, came out of the hotel, and advancing to the window of the coupe asked Mr. George and Rollo, in French, if they wished to take any thing.

”No,” said Mr. George. ”Not any thing.”

”Yes, uncle George,” said Rollo, ”let us go and see what they have got.”

He said this, of course, in English, but immediately changing his language into French, he asked the waiter what they could have.

The waiter said that they could have some hot coffee. There would not be time for any thing else.

”Let us have some hot coffee, uncle George,” said Rollo, eagerly.

”Very well,” said Mr. George.

So Rollo gave the order, and the waiter went into the house. In a moment he returned with two cups of very nice coffee, which he brought on a tray. By this time, however, the fresh horses were almost harnessed, so that it was necessary to drink the coffee quick. But there was no difficulty in doing this, for it was very nice, and not too hot. Rollo had barely time to give back the cups and pay for the coffee before the diligence began to move. The postilions started the horses with a strange sort of a cry, that they uttered while standing beside them, and then leaped into the saddles just as they were beginning to run.

The journey was continued much in this way during the whole day. The country was delightful; the road was hard and smooth as a floor, and the horses went very fast. In a word, Rollo had a capital ride.

After traversing a comparatively level country for some miles, the road entered a mountainous region, where there was a long ascent. At the foot of this ascent was a post house, and here they put on six horses instead of four. Of course there were now three postilions. But although the country was mountainous, the ascent was not steep, for the road was carried up by means of long windings and zigzags, in such a manner that the rise was very regular and gradual all the way. The consequence was, that the six horses took the diligence on almost as fast up the mountains as the four had done on the level ground.

<script>