Fru Bjork offered the Doctor a share of the substantial luncheon provided for the party, and he accepted, insisting on contributing as his share in the picnic, some fiaschetti of vino d'Orveito. He filled the little travelling glasses of each in turn, and handed them about, overriding Ragna's objection that she did not care for wine, laughingly ordering her to drink it by virtue of his professional authority. She raised the glass to her lips, but as she tasted the wine, the colour left her cheeks and the glass slipping from her hand was shattered on the floor of the compartment. There was a general outcry from all but Ferrati, who watched her with a grave, almost worried expression.
"How clumsy I am!" said Ragna, blushing and laughing nervously. "I can't imagine how I came to drop it!"
The Doctor carefully gathered up the pieces of glass, wrapped them in a paper, and threw them out the window. He forebore to offer the girl another glass of wine and she was grateful to him for his intuitive consideration.
"The wine reminds her of something," he thought.
Estelle presently spoke of the singing lessons she expected to take in Florence, and Astrid also said she would like to cultivate her voice.
"Does Mademoiselle Andersen also sing?" inquired Ferrati.
Ragna shook her head.
"But you would like to take up something to pass the time?"
"Oh, yes, indeed!" said Ragna with evident eagerness.
"Why not try painting then, or drawing?"