"But how can you know what it is about if you do not go?"
"There is only one thing which it can be. One thing that I will not hear."
"You mean for the river — for the land?"
"What else?"
Her face grew as stern as his own. "If that be so... Still you should go, my son; you should go to hold your own."
"I will hold my own," said Adone; and in his thoughts he added, "but not by words."
"What is the day of the month for which they call you?" asked his mother.
"The date is passed by three days. That is a little feat which authority often plays upon the people."
They went within. The meal was eaten in silence; the nut-brown eyes of Nerina looked wistfully in their faces, but she asked nothing; she guessed enough.
Adone said nothing to Don Silverio of the summons, for he knew that the priest would counsel strongly his attendance in person at San Beda, even though the date was already passed.