"Ma chi lo sa, Sor Dottore?" she answered in some confusion, busying herself about Beppino's cot. "She has gone out."
"But where?"
"How should I know? The Signora's affairs are not mine! Nando said she told the fiaccheraio to drive to the Grand Hotel, but more than that I do not know."
Ferrati knitted his brows—the Grand Hotel! She must have gone there to meet someone, for it was too expensive and fashionable a hostelry as well as too much in the public eye, for her to have chosen had she merely been seeking other lodgings than her husband's house. The children had ceased crying and were watching him intently as were also the women.
He set about bandaging the little wrists where they had been cut, still in silence. When he had finished he turned to Carolina:
"Keep the children quiet, you can go on with the arnica. In half an hour you can give them a bowl of milk each, or a little broth. Addio bimbi!" kissing them each in turn, "to-morrow Zia Virginia and I will bring you a treat if you are good."
"Zio Rico!" called Mimmo as Ferrati reached the door.
"Yes, caro?"
"You won't let him come up?"
"No, caro, he shan't come to-night."