There was blank silence for a moment.
"I'm not afraid," said Alora, with a laugh, "but if it means our getting out of this tiresome place and sailing for home, I'm glad that Italy's gone into the war."
Colonel Hathaway was grave and thoughtful. The agitation of the artist seemed to increase with every moment.
"When does the next boat for America leave Naples?" asked Mary Louise.
"Tuesday," said Alora's father. "We've just time to pack our possessions and leave."
"Time!" cried his daughter, "why, I can pack all my possessions in an hour. Go home, sir, and fuss around as much as you like. I'll join you some time this evening."
He gave her a queer look, hesitating.
"We are surely safe enough for the present," remarked the Colonel. "The first act of war will be to send all the soldiers to the north border. The fighting will be done in the Trentino for some time to come."
"You don't know these people," said Jones, shifting uneasily from one foot to another. "They're all brigands by nature and many of them by profession. As soon as the soldiers are sent north, all law and order will cease and brigandage will be the order of the day!"
"This is absurd!" exclaimed the Colonel, testily. "You're not talking sense."