“Yes. Tell me more tales such as you told me at Capri about Tiberio.”
“Why does the signor love to hear of Tiberio? He was a fat old man.”
“Yes, but full of ideas. He liked wickedness: the sort of man who would worship the devil.”
“Sicuro!”
“Italy’s a very wicked country,” said Colin. “I believe they worship the devil still in Naples.”
Nino crossed himself.
“So it is said.”
“Why do you do that?” asked Colin. “I don’t believe you really think it protects you. It’s only a habit. Tell me about the worship of the devil in Naples.”
“I know little,” said Nino, “and though others find it diverting, I would not find diversion in it. Why do they want to behave like street boys, and make faces at holy things? And it is not prudent. May not lightning strike them, or madness come on them? There are many things which the priests say offend Il Padre, which are diverting. But this is not one of them.”