“That is just what I mean, Gaspare. I wonder—I wonder—” She broke off. “Do you understand, Gaspare, how important you are to me, how necessary you are to me?”
An expressive look that was full of gentleness dawned in his big eyes.
“Si, Signora, I understand.”
“And I think you ought to understand my character by this time.” She looked at him earnestly. “But I sometimes wonder—I mean lately—I sometimes wonder whether you do quite understand me.”
“Why, Signora?”
“Do you know what I like best from the people who are near me, who live with me?”
“Si, Signora.”
“What?”
“Affection, Signora. You like to be cared for, Signora.”
She felt tears rising again in her eyes.