Adriano simply raised his whip hand as Jehus do by way of salute, but spoke no word. A moment afterwards, however, he raised his cap as if to scratch his head and the moon glinted on his grey hair—which I knew was a wig.
The men were very upright and soldierly in their bearing, but dressed in dark clothes tightly fitting.
One caught the back-board of the dog-cart, and walked some little way, helping himself along up the hill by the hold he had taken, which was only natural. But my heart began to jump and flicker, and my mouth grew suddenly dry with dread. Luckily I did not lose the power of speaking, nor did I falter much.
“You’re late out, my lad?”
“Y-es.”
“Going far?”
“Y-es, very far. Going to see my poor aunt.”
I had taken my handkerchief out, for what reason I do not know. But a sudden inspiration made me raise it momentarily to my face.
The man noticed it.
“Ah! poor boy,” he said; “I hope you’ll find her better than you expect.”