“‘And pray, Signor, is it true what we are told, that you have no olives in England?’[12]
“‘Yes, perfectly true.’
“‘Cospetto! how so?’
“‘Cospettone!’[13] said the lady.
“‘Our climate is not propitious to the growth of the olive.’
“‘But then, Signor, for oranges!’
“‘We have no oranges neither.’
“‘Poveretto!’ said the landlady, with a tone of compassion; which is a sort of fondling diminutive of ‘Povero,’ ‘Poor creature,’ or as you would say to your child, ‘Poor little fellow!’
“‘But how is that possible, Signor?’ said the priest. ‘Have you no fruit in your country?’
“‘We have very fine fruit; but our winters are severe, and not genial enough for the orange-tree.’