The former grew peevish. It was past nine o'clock. At last he sent Andrea to Gerard's room on the desperate chance of his having come in unobserved. Andrea shrugged his shoulders and went.
He returned without Gerard, but with a slip of paper. Andrea could not read, as scholars in his day and charity boys in ours understand the art; but he had a quick eye, and had learned how the words Pietro Vanucci looked on paper.
"That is for you, I trow," said he, proud of his intelligence.
Pietro snatched it, and read it to Andrea, with his satirical comments.
"'Dear Pietro, dear Andrea, life is too great a burden.'
"So 'tis, my lad; but that is no reason for being abroad at supper-time. Supper is not a burden.
"'Wear my habits!'
"Said the poplar to the juniper bush.
"'And thou, Andrea, mine amethyst ring; and me in both your hearts, a month or two.'
"Why, Andrea?