'Your sister wants you—come down.'
'I am coming,' said the voice more gently.
'Thanks, Donna Rosa,' said Carmela.
'Glad to serve you,' said the other briefly as she went off.
Filomena kept her waiting two or three minutes; then a regular beat of wooden heels came along the passage, and she appeared. She wore a white muslin skirt, with a high flounce of white embroidery, a cream woollen bodice, much trimmed with knots of velvet ribbon at the wrists and waist. She had a pink chenille shawl round her neck; patent-leather shoes with high heels, and red silk stockings showed under the skirt. In face she was like both her sisters, but her well-dressed hair, with light shell pins, and the rouge on her colourless cheeks, made one forget the likeness to Annarella, and made her much more attractive than Carmela. The two sisters did not kiss nor shake hands, but they gave each other so intense a look that it sufficed for everything.
'How are you?' asked Carmela in a trembling voice.
'I am well,' said Filomena, shaking her head, as if her health did not matter. 'How is mother?'
'Just as an old woman always is.... Poor mother!'
'How is Annarella?'
'She is full of trouble....'