“Si, signor.”
“Then why are you such a dreadful bad lot?” asked Colin. “Don’t you know that He will punish you when you’re dead?”
Nino shrugged his brown shoulders.
“May be,” he said, “but I’m not dead yet.”
Colin laughed.
“Nor am I,” he said. “But why talk theology before breakfast?”
“Scusi!” said Nino. “But who began?”
Colin leaned against him as he stepped into his flannel trousers.
“I did,” he said. “Do you know, you’re extremely like me, Nino? I think you must be a Stanier. I wonder if the old fellow I’ve been reading about had an Italian mistress from whom you’re descended. We both believe in God, and are determined to go to the devil.... There you are talking theology again, and I told you to shut up!”
“I am dumb as a sheep,” said Nino.