Myself: I have friends at Calatafimi whom I have promised to go and see and I cannot—

Aless:—and arrive in safety at Montalbano.

Myself: I believe you told me once that Montalbano is Rinaldo’s castle in Gascony. Did the devils make a subterranean road right across France? It is a long way, you know.

Aless: The devils must do as Argantino commands them.

Myself: If he is the Prince of the Devils of course they must; but this seems rather a large order. Come to Ettorina. Why don’t you come to Ettorina?

Aless: One moment, if you please; first you must know that—

Caro: Signor Enrico, who are your friends at Calatafimi?

Myself: I know a baritone singer and his father and

mother, two or three landed proprietors and the custode of the Temple of Segesta who lives at Calatafimi and is great friend of mine. I also know another—

Carm: It is not true. How many ladies do you know at Calatafimi?