Claire bent forward eagerly; a movement of her foot sent a detached stone tumbling over the cliff into the midst of the dancers. They all halted, looked up in surprise. Then the young woman, catching a glimpse of Claire and Danilo, waved a welcome.
"Come!" she called, gaily. "Come and have a dance!"
The music, which had ceased for a brief instant, started up.
"Shall ... shall we go down?" asked Claire.
"Yes.... Why not?"
They circled down the hillside hand in hand.
When they came up to the bonfire wine was being poured and thick slices of bread passed about. The little brown girl came forward, showing her white teeth.
"Here, Tony! This way with the wine!" she cried.
Her partner answered her call. He had two tin cups and a demijohn in his hand. He filled both cups to the brim, passing one to Claire and one to the girl at his side. Both women took a sip; the girl handed the cup back to her companion.
"You, too!" she said to Claire. "You and your man! You are like us ... lovers! You must drink so ... from the same cup."