"Bring it all the same. Perhaps she will do us the honour to drink it."
Serafina nodded, and her bare feet were heard on the stone steps as she descended.
"It is bad to drink pure water when one is very thirsty," said Sor Tommaso. "It cramps the stomach. A little wine gives the stomach strength. But it is best to eat. If you will eat, there are fresh jumbles. I also eat them."
"I thank you the same," answered Annetta. "I wish only water. It is a long way from Civitella, and there is no good spring. There is the brook that runs out of the pond at the foot of the last hill. But it is heavy water, full of stuff."
Serafina came back, bringing two heavy tumblers of pressed glass on a little black japanned tray, with a decanter of cold water. In her other hand she carried two bottles, one half full of wine, the other containing the white and sugary syrup of peach kernels of which Italians are so fond.
"I brought this also," she said, holding up the bottle as she set down the tray. "Perhaps it is better."
"Yes," said Sor Tommaso, nodding in approbation. "It is better."
"You will drink a little orgeat?" asked the old woman, in a tone of persuasion, and mixing it in the glass.
"Water, simply water," said Annetta, who was still suspicious. "Give me water in the other glass."
"But I have mixed already in both," answered Serafina. "Eh, you will drink it. You will not make an old woman like me go all the way down the stairs again. But then, it is good. It is I that tell you. I made it myself, yesterday morning, for the doctor, to refresh his blood a little."