Gildo: Tell us about it. I have often seen pictures of it in the illustrated papers, but I have never spoken to anyone who was there. Was it very beautiful? Were there many people? Did you see Queen Victoria?
Myself: I can’t tell you much about it. I was asleep and when I woke up I was so hungry that I cried till my mother took me into a side room and gave me my dinner. Then I went to sleep again until they took me home. I have been to many exhibitions since, but I never enjoyed one so much. You see, this one did not bore me.
Aless: You should not have had your dinner there. I went to the exhibition in Palermo and the food in the restaurant was not wholesome.
Gildo: Yes, but you must remember that Alessandro is very particular about his food. He can only eat the most delicate things and must have plenty of variety.
Myself: I did not have much variety in those days. I took my restaurant with me, the one at which I was having all my meals.
Gildo: Oh well, if one can afford to travel like a prince—
Myself: Gildo! I was not six weeks old and—
Papa: I have now made the calculation and I find you are my senior by six years. I hope that when I have caught you up I shall carry my age as lightly as you carry yours. Do I explain myself?
Aless (to me): I think you look older. I should have said you were a well-preserved man of sixty-four or (stretching a point in my favour) perhaps sixty-five.
Myself (feeling sure that here must be another compliment): Thank you very much.