"Oh, Mr. Harry!" he called carelessly. "We've been tryin' our hands at yer target, like ye said we might, an' this here new gardener-man come along an' wanted to have a try. He's a surprisin' good shot for an Eye-talian. Ye wouldn't believe it, but he beat Pat an' he beat me. Would you mind shootin' with him once? I'd like to show him what Americans can do."
Peter's tone was a touch over-careless. Mr. Harry glanced at him suspiciously, and from him to Vittorio, who was looking on with amiable aloofness, quite unaware that he was the subject of discussion. Mr. Harry had not been entirely blind to the trials of David's peaceable successor, and he was glad to see that the man was coming to the top.
"So he's beaten you? How does that happen, Peter? I thought you prided yourself on your shooting."
"I'm a little out o' practice," said Peter.
Mr. Harry ran his eye over Vittorio's well-set-up figure.
"Served in the army, Vittorio?"
"Si, signore, five year."
"What corps—Bersaglieri?"
"Si, si!" Vittorio's face was alight. "I b'long Bersaglieri. How you know?"
"Thank you for your interest, Peter," Mr. Harry laughed. "I don't believe I'll shoot with him to-day. I'm a little out of practice myself."