"The news, is it good?" asked Babbo.
"Is it bad?" shouted Emilio.
If Mount Amiata had suddenly risen from its base and marched across the valley, Giorgio could not have been more amazed. "It's from Signor Ramalli! Never before has he written me!"
"Read it out," cried Teria.
Giorgio cleared his throat and read slowly:
"Siena, 16 March, 1952
"Dear Giorgio:
"If your Babbo can spare you from the fields, I desire you to come at once to Siena. I have now four extraordinary horses and would wish you to be their trainer. The Palio of July, as you know, is on the second. We must hurry.
"Expecting you soon, I am,
V. Ramalli"