"We always have need of that," replied her husband, "so you better let him know at once that he may move in."
[CHAPTER V]
IN EXILE
VINZI made the first half of his journey without speaking a word. The thought that he was to live with strangers a long time depressed him, so he did not wish to talk and scarce realized what went on around him.
At Berisal his companion took him to the innkeeper who knew his father, and after the man had plied him with questions about his trip, he thought it best for Vinzi to have his supper and go to bed quickly, as he must be weary with his journey. Indeed, he was so tired, he sank into a sound sleep and did not wake until his fellow-traveler shook him the next morning.
He dressed hurriedly, swallowed his cup of coffee and soon was climbing the mountain with his companion. The pair went along silently, for Vinzi was more and more overcome with fear the nearer he came to his destination.
"Look, my boy!" said his guide suddenly as he stopped his inveterate whistling. "Do you see that gray stone house over there?"
"I see it," he said at last in a low tone.
"We will stop there for something to eat," said his companion. "Then comes the last climb. After that our way is down. You will not have far to go, but I have to go all the way down the valley, so we cannot rest long."
It was all the same to Vinzi whether the halt was long or short, and he had no desire for food. He thought only of his arrival at the house which might be as dismal as this one of gray stone. And then those strangers! Now they reached the summit and the road began to descend.