“Have this letter posted, with a halfpenny stamp.”
“Shall I order dinner to be served?”
“Yes; your master will be home in a few minutes.”
But the master kept them waiting till half-past seven. Caterina waited patiently, yet she felt a certain inward spite towards the business that took up so much of Andrea’s time. It struck her that the house in Via Constantinopoli was rather cold, and it needed fireplaces. How long would it take to put in a grate? It would please Andrea.
The bell rang. That must be Andrea ... but it was only Giulietta.
“A letter from Casa Sanna, and one by post.”
“All right; you can go. See that dinner is kept hot.”
Although she was disappointed by Andrea’s non-arrival—it was nearly eight o’clock—Caterina eagerly opened the letter from Casa Sanna.
“Signora Caterina, for pity’s sake, come to me.
“Alberto.”