There was growing anxiety in Beppo’s tone. He divined suspicion behind these persistent inquiries, and he knew that in case Tony were dismissed, his own munificent pay would stop.
‘Do you understand any English?’ she suddenly asked.
He modestly repudiated any great knowledge. ‘A word here, a word there; I learn it in school.’
‘I see!’ She paused for a moment and then inquired casually, ‘Have you known Tony long?’
‘Si, signorina.’
Beppo considered. Some one, clearly, must vouch for the man’s respectability. This was not in the lesson that had been taught him, but he determined to branch out for himself.
‘He is my father, signorina.’
‘Really! He looks young to be your father—have you any brothers and sisters, Beppo?’
‘I have four brothers, signorina, and five sisters.’ He fell back upon the truth with relief.