“Gaspare!”
This time he heard and started violently, dropped the cigarette, then, without looking up, bent down slowly, recovered it, and turned round.
“Signora?”
The sun shone full on his upturned face, showing to Hermione the dogged look which sometimes came to it when anything startled him.
“I made you jump.”
“No, Signora.”
“But I did. What were you thinking about?”
“Nothing, Signora. Why are you not asleep?”
He spoke almost as if she injured him by being awake.
“I couldn’t sleep to-day. What are you going to do this afternoon?”