“The very man I most desired to meet,” said Peter, and beckoned to him. “Is there a doctor in the village?” he enquired, when Gigi had approached.
“Yes, Signorino. The Syndic is a doctor—Dr. Carretaji.”
“Good,” said Peter. “Will you go to the village, please, and ask Dr. Carretaji if he can make it convenient to call here to-day? Marietta is not well.”
“Yes, Signorino.”
“And stop a bit,” said Peter. “Are there such things as women in the village?'
“Ah, mache, Signorino! But many, many,” answered Gigi, rolling his dark eyes sympathetically, and waving his hands.
“I need but one,” said Peter. “A woman to come and do Marietta's work for a day or two—cook, and clean up, and that sort of thing. Do you think you could procure me such a woman?”
“There is my wife, Signorino,” suggested Gigi. “If she would content the Signorino?”
“Oh? I was n't aware that you were married. A hundred felicitations. Yes, your wife, by all means. Ask her to come and rule as Marietta's vicereine.”
Gigi started for the village.