A very difficult position it was to maintain this windy morning, and I really thought sometimes that both I and my juvenile crowd of attendants would be blown bodily over the cliff-side on to the highway far below, to the astonishment of passers-by.
The Bonifacio children I found extremely curious, but withal well-behaved.
Finding that they could not be induced to retire, I made use of them; and one held down the flapping page of my sketch-book, while another held my umbrella over my head. We became very good friends, and they were exceedingly anxious not to intercept my view, but the brisk fire of questioning kept up by them added another difficulty to a rapid sketch.
Garlic and conversation, however, had to be endured, as their politeness did not go the length of making themselves scarce.
Even the offer of a handful of sous as soon as the carriage came up, could not induce them to disperse, notwithstanding the persuasion of one of their number, a pretty boy of about eleven.
Finding that his companions would not move, he turned to me, and took off his cap. "Madame," said he, with the air of a courtier, "I go; not for the sake of sous, but because you desire it. I have tried to make these others come, but they will not."
"Sir," replied I, to the small but courteous Corsican, "you are a gentleman."
And the brown-eyed, dignified boy walked off, not to be seen again.
CHAPTER VII.
A SERMON BY THE WAYSIDE.
We were glad enough to reach Sartene on our return, after a hot and dusty drive.