Buffo: Not at all; it does you great credit.
Gildo: Now me, please. Ask me my age.
Myself: Well, Gildo, and how old are you?
Gildo: A hundred and seventy-four next birthday.
Myself: Santo Diavolo! You don’t look it. You must have been very busy since last autumn when, if I remember right, you were only twenty-one.
Carolina (tapping my right arm to attract my attention): Signor Enrico, Signor Enrico, why do you not ask me my age?
Carmela (tapping my left arm): Signor Enrico, Signor Enrico, you have not asked me my age.
Myself: Because I know how old you are. You are both of you the age that charming young ladies always are, and you do not look a day older.
Nina: I’m fourteen.
Caro and Carm (comparing notes): Did you hear what he said? He said we are charming young ladies.