Shall I own to you, Tom, that I shuddered as I heard this? It may be a most unfair and ungenerous prejudice; but if there be any class in life of whose good qualities I entertain a weak opinion, it is of the servant tribe, and especially of those who enter into the confidential category. They are, to my thinking, a pestilent race, either tyrannizing over the weakness, or fawning to the vices, of their employers. I have known a score of them, and I rejoice to think that a very large proportion of that number have been since transported for life.
"Does Giacomo speak English?" asked I.
"Perfectly, papa; as well as French, Spanish, German, and a little Russian."
"Send him to me, then," said I, "and let us have a talk together.
"You can't see him to-day, papa, for he is performing St. Barnabas in a grand procession that is to take place this evening."
This piece of information shows me that it is a "Festa," and the post will consequently close early, so that I now conclude this, promising that you shall have an account of my interview with Giacomo by to-morrow or the day after.
Not a line from James yet, and I am beginning to feel very uncomfortable about him.
Yours ever faithfully,
Kenny I. Dodd.