‘Father,’ said she reproachfully, ‘it’s embarrassing enough for him to fee all those people without our staying and watching him do it.’
‘I suppose it is,’ he acknowledged regretfully, as he resumed his hat and umbrella and palm-leaf fan.
She paused for a second in the gateway.
‘Addio, Gustavo,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘Don’t forget the earrings.’
Gustavo bowed twice and turned back with a dazed air to direct the business in hand. The boot-boy, reappearing, shook his head. No, the gentleman was not to be found in the garden. The omnibus driver leaned from his seat and swore.
Corpo di Bacco! Did he think the boat would wait all day for the sake of one passenger? As it was, they were ten minutes late and would have to gallop every step of the way.
The turmoil of ejaculation and gesture was approaching a climax; when suddenly, who should come sauntering into the midst of it but the young American man himself! He paused to light a cigarette, then waved his hand aloft toward his leather belongings.
‘Take ’em down, Gustavo. Changed my mind; not going to-day—it’s too hot.’
Gustavo gasped.
‘But, signore, you have paid for your ticket.’