Prof. Poppendorf was soon engaged in the discussion of dinner. He had a good German appetite which never failed. He seldom talked much during a meal, as it would interfere with more important business.
Now that I had changed my place at the table, I sat on one side of the Disagreeable Woman, and Ruth Canby on the other. Next to Ruth sat the Professor, but for the reason already stated, he was not a social companion.
Just opposite sat Mrs. Wyman and Count Penelli. So far as I could judge, he was a quiet young man, and had very little to say for himself. Mrs. Wyman, however, kept plying him with questions and remarks, and did her best to appear on terms of intimate acquaintance with him. Some fragments of her conversation floated across the table.
"You have no idea, Count, how I long to visit Italy, your dear country."
"It is ver' nice," he said, vaguely.
"Nice? It must be lovely. Have you ever seen the Bay of Naples?"
"Oh, si, signora, many times."
"It is charming, is it not?"
"Si, signora, it is beautiful."