“Are you going on another trip Friday—to Monte Maggiore?”
“Yes.”
His tone implied more than his words. She hesitated a moment, then shrugged indifferently.
“Just as you please, Tony. If you don’t wish to work for us any more I dare say we can find another man.”
“It is as you please, signorina. If you wish it, I come, if you do not wish it, I go.”
She made no answer. They joined the others and the party proceeded to the villa gates.
Lieutenant di Ferara helped Constance dismount, while Captain Coroloni, with none too good a grace, held the donkey. A careful observer would have fancied that the lieutenant was ahead, and that both he and the captain knew it. Tony untied the bundles, dumped them on the kitchen floor, and waited respectfully, hat in hand, while Mr. Wilder searched his pockets for change. He counted out four lire and added a note. Tony pocketed the lire and returned the note, while Mr. Wilder stared his astonishment.
“Good-bye, Tony,” Constance smiled as he turned away.
“Good-bye, signorina.” There was a note of finality in his voice.