‘Is he safe, Gustavo—to be about?’

Si, signorina, sicuramente! He is just a little simple.’

Mr. Wilder chuckled.

‘Where is he, Gustavo? I think I’d like to make that young man’s acquaintance.’

‘I sink, signore, he is packing his trunk. He go away to-day.’

‘To-day, Gustavo?’ There was audible regret in Constance’s tone. ‘Why is he going?’

‘It is not possible for him to stand it, signorina. Valedolmo too dam slow.’

‘Gustavo! You mustn’t say that; it is very, very bad. Nice men don’t say it.’

Gustavo held his ground.

Si, signorina, zat yong American gentleman say it—dam slow, no divertimento.’