Si, signorina, he bowed and resumed his attitude of strained attention.
He must have curly hair and black eyes and white teeth and a nice smile; I should like him to wear a red sash and earrings. He must be obliging and cheerful and deferential and speak good ItalianI wont have a man who speaks only dialect. He must play the mandolin and sing Santa LuciaI believe thats all.
And I suppose since he is to act as guide he must know the region? her father mildly suggested.
Oh, no, thats immaterial; we can always ask our way.
Mr. Wilder grunted, but offered no further suggestion.
We pay four lire a day and furnish his meals, she added munificently. And we shall begin with the castle on Monte Baldo; then when we get very proficient well climb Monte Maggiore. Do you understand?
Ze signorina desires tree donkeys and a driver at seven oclock to-morrow morning to climb Monte Baldo?
In brief, yes, but please remember the earrings.
Meanwhile a commotion was going on behind them. The hotel omnibus had rumbled into the courtyard. A fachino had dragged out a leather trunk, an English hat-box and a couple of valises and dumped them on the ground while he ran back for the paste pot and a pile of labels. The two under-waiters, the chambermaid and the boy who cleaned boots had drifted into the court. It was evident that the American gentlemans departure was imminent.
The luggage was labelled and hoisted to the roof of the omnibus; they all drew up in a line with their eyes on the door; but still the young man did not come. Gustavo, over his shoulder, dispatched a waiter to hunt him up. The waiter returned breathless. The gentleman was nowhere. He had searched the entire house; there was not a trace. Gustavo sent the boot-boy flying down the arbour to search the garden; he was beginning to feel anxious. What if the gentleman in a sudden fit of melancholia had thrown himself into the lake? That would indeed be an unfortunate affair!
Constance reassured him, and at the same time she arose. It occurred to her suddenly that, since the young man was going, there was nothing to be gained by waiting, and he might think She picked up her parasol and started for the gate, but Mr. Wilder hung back; he wanted to see the matter out.
Father, said she reproachfully, its embarrassing enough for him to fee all those people without our staying and watching him do it.
I suppose it is, he acknowledged regretfully, as he resumed his hat and umbrella and palm-leaf fan.
She paused for a second in the gateway.
Addio, Gustavo, she called over her shoulder. Dont forget the earrings.
Gustavo bowed twice and turned back with a dazed air to direct the business in hand. The boot-boy, reappearing, shook his head. No, the gentleman was not to be found in the garden. The omnibus driver leaned from his seat and swore.
Corpo di Bacco! Did he think the boat would wait all day for the sake of one passenger? As it was, they were ten minutes late and would have to gallop every step of the way.
The turmoil of ejaculation and gesture was approaching a climax; when suddenly, who should come sauntering into the midst of it but the young American man himself! He paused to light a cigarette, then waved his hand aloft toward his leather belongings.
Take em down, Gustavo. Changed my mind; not going to-dayits too hot.
Gustavo gasped.
But, signore, you have paid for your ticket.
True, Gustavo, but there is no law compelling me to use it. To tell the truth I find that I am fonder of Valedolmo than I had supposed. There is something satisfying about the peace and tranquillity of the placeone doesnt realize it till the moment of parting comes. Do you think I can obtain a room for awell, an indefinite period?
Gustavo saw a dazzling vista of silver lire stretching into the future. With an all-inclusive gesture he placed the house, the lake, the surrounding mountains, at the disposal of the American.
You shall have what you wish, signore. At dis season ze Hotel du Lac
Is not crowded, and there are half a hundred rooms at my disposal? Very well, I will keep the one I have, which commands a very attractive view of a rose-coloured villa set in a grove of cypress trees.
The others had waited in a state of suspension, dumbfounded at what was going on. But as soon as the young man dipped into his pocket and fished out a handful of silver, they broke into smiles; this at least was intelligible. The silver was distributed, the luggage was hoisted down, the omnibus was dismissed. The courtyard resumed its former quiet; just the American gentleman, Gustavo and the parrot were left.
Then suddenly a frightful suspicion dawned upon Gustavoit was more than a suspicion; it was an absolute certainty which in his excitement he had overlooked. From where had the American gentleman dropped? Not the sky, assuredly, and there was no place else possible, unless the door of the summer-house. Yes, he had been in the summer-house, and not sleeping either. An indefinable something about his manner informed Gustavo that he was privy to the entire conversation. Gustavo, a picture of guilty remorse, searched his memory for the words he had used. Why, oh why, had he not piled up adjectives? It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and he had wantonly thrown it away.
Butto his astonished reliefthe young man appeared to be bearing no malice. He appeared, on the contrary, quite unusually cheerful as he sauntered, whistling, across the court and seated himself in the exact chair the signorina had occupied. He plunged his hand into his pocket suggestivelyGustavo had been the only one omitted in the distribution of silverand drew forth a roll of bills. Having selected five crisp five-lire notes, he placed them under the sugar bowl, and watched his companion while he blew three meditative rings of smoke.
Gustavo, he inquired, do you suppose you could find me some nice, gentle, lady-like donkeys, and a red sash and a pair of earrings?
Gustavos fascinated gaze had been fixed upon the sugar bowl and he had only half caught the words.
Scusi, signore, I no understand.
Just sit down, Gustavo, it makes me nervous to see you standing all the time. I cant be comfortable, you know, unless everybody else is comfortable. Now pay strict attention and see if you can grasp my meaning.
Gustavo dubiously accepted the edge of the indicated chair; he wished to humour the signores mood, however incomprehensible that mood might be. For half an hour he listened with strained attention while the gentleman talked and toyed with the sugar bowl. Amazement, misgiving, amusement, daring, flashed in succession across his face; in the end he leaned forward with shining eyes.
Si, si, he whispered after a conspiratorial glance over his shoulder, I will do it all; you may trust to me.
The young man rose, removed the sugar bowl, and sauntered on toward the road. Gustavo pocketed the notes and gazed after him.
Dio mio, he murmured as he set about gathering up the glasses, zese Americans!
At the gate the young man paused to light another cigarette.
Addio, Gustavo, he called over his shoulder, dont forget the earrings!
CHAPTER IV
The table was set on the terrace; breakfast was served and the company was gathered. Breakfast consisted of the usual caffè-latte, rolls and strained honey, andsince a journey was to the fore and something sustaining neededa soft-boiled egg apiece. There were four persons present, though there should have been five. The two guests were an Englishman and his wife, whom the chances of travel had brought over night to Valedolmo.