Part 11 (2/2)

'Oh, I say, please don't go! Stay and talk to me--just a little while.

That calf isn't half so lonely as I am.'

'I should like to, but really I mustn't. Elizabetta is waiting for me to bring her some eggs. We are planning a trip up the Maggiore to-morrow, and we have to have a cake to take with us. Elizabetta made one this morning, but she forgot to put in the baking powder. Italian cooks are not used to making cakes; they are much better at'--her eyes fell on the calf--'veal and such things.'

He folded his arms with an air of desperation.

'I'm an American--one of your own countrymen; if you had a grain of charity in your nature you would let the cake go.'

She shook her head relentlessly.

'Five days at Valedolmo! You would not believe the straits I've been driven to in search of amus.e.m.e.nt.'

'Yes?' There was a touch of curiosity in her tone. 'What for example?'

'I am teaching Gustavo how to play tennis.'

'Oh!' she said. 'How does he do?'

'Broken three windows and a flower-pot and lost four b.a.l.l.s.'

She laughed and turned away; and then as an idea occurred to her, she turned back and fixed her eyes sympathetically on his face.

'I suppose Valedolmo is stupid for a man; but why don't you try mountain-climbing? Everybody finds that diverting. There's a guide here who speaks English--really comprehensible English. He's engaged for to-morrow, but after that I dare say he'll be free. Gustavo can tell you about him.'

She nodded and smiled and turned down the arbour.

The young man stood where she left him, with folded arms, watching her pink gown as it receded down the long sun-flecked alley hung with purple and green. He waited until it had been swallowed up in the yellow doorway; then he fetched a deep breath and strolled to the water-wall.

After a few moments' prophetic contemplation of the mountain across the lake, he threw back his head with a quick amused laugh, and got out a cigarette and lighted it.

CHAPTER IX

As Constance emerged at the other end of the arbour, Gustavo, who had been nodding on the bench beside the door, sprang to his feet, consternation in his att.i.tude.

'Signorina!' he stammered. 'You come from ze garden?'

She nodded in her usual off-hand manner and handed him the basket.

'Eggs, Gustavo--two dozen if you can spare them. I am sorry always to be wanting so many, but'--she sighed--'eggs are so breakable!'

Gustavo rolled his eyes to heaven in silent thanksgiving. She had not, it was evident, run across the American, and the cat was still safely in the bag; but how much longer it could be kept there the saints alone knew. He was feeling--very properly--guilty in regard to this latest escapade; but what can a defenceless waiter do in the hands of an impetuous young American whose pockets are stuffed with silver lire and five-franc notes?

'Two dozen? Certainly, signorina. _Subitissimo_!' He took the basket and hurried to the kitchen.

Constance occupied the interval with the polyglot parrot of the courtyard. The parrot, since she had last conversed with him, had acquired several new expressions in the English tongue. As Gustavo reappeared with the eggs, she confronted him sternly.

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