After fastening back the shutters, she let down the window and turned to set the room in order. She drew the chunks of fire together and put on more wood from a pile that lay handy in the chimney corner. Then she filled a kettle from a pail of water in the cupboard, and hung it over the blazing fire.
While thus employed she heard a low rapping at her door, and she went to see who was there.
It was her husband; and he met her as if he had been parted from her for a year.
“May I come in?” at length he said.
“No, dear Vittorio, for our visitor still sleeps. When she is up and is dressed, then you may,” she answered.
“Heaven knows I bear our fair guest no malice; yet I wish Satan had her rather than she should be here dividing us whom nothing else has ever parted,” complained Corsoni.
“So does she, I think!” replied Alberta, with a shrug.
“I am going now. What can I do for you?”
“Send Gill for orders.”
Vittorio kissed her suddenly and hurried away.