“You speak English remarkably well,” said I; “have you been long in Britain?”
“I came over about four years ago,” said the Italian.
“On your own account?” said I.
“Not exactly, signore; my brother, who was in business in Liverpool, wrote to me to come over and assist him. I did so, but soon left him, and took a shop for myself at Denbigh, where, however, I did not stay long. At present I travel for an Italian house in London, spending the summer in Wales and the winter in England.”
“And what do you sell?” said I.
“Weather-glasses, signore—pictures and little trinkets, such as the country people like.”
“Do you sell many weather-glasses in Wales?” said I.
“I do not, signore. The Welsh care not for weather-glasses; my principal customers for weather-glasses are the farmers of England.”
“I am told that you can speak Welsh,” said I; “is that true?”
“I have picked up a little of it, signore.”