The girl stood nervously rolling and unrolling a corner of her apron between her fingers, her eyes on the floor.
"It is just that, Signora, I wish to go."
"Are you going to be married?"
"No, Signora!"
"Then why? Are you not happy here? You have been with me so long, to leave suddenly like this, what is the matter?"
"Don't ask me Signora, I—I can't stay."
"Carolina," said Ragna sternly, "look at me!"
The maid raised unwilling eyes to her mistress's face.
"Don't you know that that is no way to speak to me? Now tell me frankly, why it is you wish to leave me after all these years. Have I not been kind to you? What cause have you for complaint? Think, what will Mimmo do without you?"
The girl began to cry and dabbed ineffectually at her eyes with her apron.