Gaspare said nothing.
“I know you like Ruffo, Gaspare. I believe you like him very much. Don’t you?”
“Signora, Ruffo has never done me any harm.”
“Ruffo is very fond of you.”
She saw Gaspare redden.
“He respects and admires you more than other people. I have noticed that.”
Gaspare cleared his throat but did not look up or make any remark.
“Both the Signorina and I like Ruffo, too. We feel—at least I feel—I feel as if he had become one of the family.”
Gaspare looked up quickly and his eyes were surely fierce.
“One of the family!” he exclaimed.