‘I am in a public office, shut up in the box, but be careful what you say unless you are alone. I met Teresa a moment after she had spoken to you, and she pretended to know that we had been together in one of those quiet streets.’
‘How abominable!’
‘I had been to see Farini, the sculptor, close by San Nicolo. It was natural that Teresa should suppose we had met, but I was angry, and so was she because I denied what she said. I’m afraid she will repeat the story.’
‘Why should I care?’ Maria’s voice was rather sharp.
‘I care, on your account, so I have warned you.’
‘Thank you. You will come to-morrow?’
‘To-morrow, at half-past two, if you will receive me. Good-bye.’
‘You shall have the answer then. Good-bye.’
Maria went back to Leone, who was having his supper. The child was unusually silent, and ate with the steady, solemn appetite of strong boys. When he had finished he got up and gravely examined his armoury before going to bed, to see that his weapons were all clean and neatly hung in their places. There were two toy guns, with a tin revolver, a sword-bayonet, and a sabre. He went through this inspection every evening, and Maria sat by the table watching him while Agostino took away the things.
When the servant was gone the boy came and stood beside his mother’s knee and looked up into her face earnestly.