Antonino shrugged his shoulders. The girl approached with hasty steps, looking straight before her.
"Good day! La Rabbiata!" cried some of the young sailors. They might indeed have said more if the proximity of their padre had not kept them a little in order, for the short defiant manner with which the girl received their greetings seemed to irritate them vastly.
"Good day, Lauretta!" cried the padre, "how goes it with you? Do you want to go over to Capri with us?"
"If you will permit me, padre."
"You must ask Antonino there. He is the patron of the boat. Every one is master of his own, and God of us all."
"Here is a half Carolus," said Lauretta, without looking at the young boatman, "can I go over for it?"
"You may want it more than I;" murmured Antonino, and moved some baskets filled with oranges on one side to make room. He was going to sell them at Capri, for the rocky islet does not produce enough for its numerous visitors.
"I will not go with you for nothing." said the girl; and the dark eyebrows drew together.
"Come, my child." said the padre, "he is an honest young fellow, and does not want to get rich from your poverty; there--step in," and he reached her his hand, "and seat yourself near me. See there! He has spread his jacket for you that you may sit the softer. He was not half so thoughtful of me. But young blood! young blood! It is always so! They will take more care of one little girl, then of ten holy fathers."
"Well, well! you need not make any excuses, 'Tonino; it is God's law that like should cling to like."