I dressed myself hastily, and went to the Exchange, where I heard that a vessel was sailing for Fiume the same day.
Fiume is just opposite Ancona on the other side of the gulf. From Fiume to Trieste the distance is forty miles, and I decided to go by that route.
I went aboard the ship and took the best place, said good-bye to the consul, paid Mardocheus, and packed my trunks.
Leah heard that I was going the same day, and came and told me that she could not give me back my lace and my silk stockings that day, but that I could have them by the next day.
“Your father,” I replied coolly, “will hand them all over to the Venetian consul, who will send them to me at Trieste.”
Just as I was sitting down to dinner, the captain of the boat came for my luggage with a sailor. I told him he could have my trunk, and that I would bring the rest aboard whenever he liked to go.
“I intend setting out an hour before dusk.”
“I shall be ready.”
When Mardocheus heard where I was going he begged me to take charge of a small box and a letter he wanted to send to a friend.
“I shall be delighted to do you this small service.”