"Uncle Pera?" said Anania, who believed all the scandals about the old gardener.
"Yes, poor old fellow. He always remembers me and brings me something every day. Last month I was ill, for my sores broke out again. Uncle Pera sent for the doctor and brought me my medicines himself. He's what my father ought to have been. But my father has left me! Well, never mind." (for she saw that touched Anania). "Why won't you take the whole bunch? It's really quite clean!"
"Give it to me. But where can I put it? Let me wrap it in this newspaper. I'm off to-morrow. Going to Cagliari. I do hope you'll get well."
"Good-bye," she said, tears in her eyes, "I wish I were going away."
Next Anania saw the handsome Agata at the tavern door so he stepped across to take leave of her.
"She smiled, her big eyes sparkling, and kissed her hand.
"Yes, it's good-bye," said Anania, coming closer.
"You've been flirting with that lump of dirt," she said, pointing to Rebecca. "Go away, you smell of her."
For some reason, Anania remembered Margherita, and felt shocked.
"She's jealous of me!" continued Agata, making eyes at him. "Look! she's watching you. The silly fool! She's always thinking of you because last New Year's Eve she drew you for a sweetheart."