“Well—not so strong as usual—but not so bad, you know. I shall be all right—thanks to you. I think your father is more ill than I. To me he looks very ill.”
“Father wears himself away,” said Alvina.
“Yes, and when we are no longer young, there is not so much to wear. Well, I must thank you once more—”
“What time do you leave in the morning?”
“By the train at half-past ten. If it doesn’t rain, the young men will cycle—perhaps all of them. Then they will go when they like—”
“I will come round to say good-bye—” said Alvina.
“Oh no—don’t disturb yourself—”
“Yes, I want to take home the things—the kettle for the bronchitis, and those things—”
“Oh thank you very much—but don’t trouble yourself. I will send Ciccio with them—or one of the others—”
“I should like to say good-bye to you all,” persisted Alvina.