"Perhaps their pockets are full of fish. I am sure they are."
She spoke with a cheerful assurance.
"If they have caught any fish, I know your frying-pan will be wanted," she said.
"Chi lo sa?" said Lucrezia, with rather perfunctory politeness.
Secretly she thought that the padrona had only one fault. She was a little obstinate sometimes, and disinclined to be told the truth. And certainly she did not know very much about men, although she had a husband.
Through the old Norman arch came Delarey and Gaspare, with hot faces and gay, shining eyes, splendidly tired with their exertions and happy in the thought of rest. Delarey took Hermione's hand in his. He would have kissed her before Lucrezia and Gaspare, quite naturally, but he felt that her hand stiffened slightly in his as he leaned forward, and he forbore. She longed for his kiss, but to receive it there would have spoiled a joy. And kind and familiar though she was with those beneath her, she could not bear to show the deeps of her heart before them. To her his kiss after her lonely night would be an event. Did he know that? She wondered.
He still kept her hand in his as he began to tell her about their expedition.
"Did you enjoy it?" she asked, thinking what a boy he looked in his eager, physical happiness.
"Ask Gaspare!"
"I don't think I need. Your eyes tell me."