“Aren’t you tired after being out so early this morning?”
“No, Signora.”
“Did you go far?”
“Not so very far, Signora.”
Hermione hesitated. She knew Gaspare had been to Mergellina. She knew he had been to see Ruffo’s mother. If that were so her journey would probably be in vain. In their conflict Gaspare had struck the first blow. Could anything be gained by her going?
Gaspare saw, and perhaps read accurately, her hesitation.
“It will get very hot to-day, Signora,” he said, carelessly.
His words decided Hermione. If obstacles were to be put in her way she would overleap them. At all costs she would emerge from the darkness in which she was walking. A heat of anger rushed over her. She felt as if Gaspare, and perhaps Artois, were treating her like a child.
“I must go to Mergellina, Gaspare,” she said. “And I shall go by tram. Please row me to the village.”
“Va bene, Signora,” he answered.