"You see how it is," he said. "If the signora can go to Africa to see her friend, I can come down here to see mine. That is how it is with the English."
He did not even try to keep the jealousy out of his voice, his manner. Gaspare leaped to it.
"You did not like the signora to go to Africa!"
"Oh, she will come back. It's all right," Maurice answered, hastily. "But, while she is there, it would be absurd if I might not speak to any one."
Gaspare's burden of doubt, perhaps laid on his young shoulders by his loyalty to his padrona, was evidently lightened.
"I see, signore," he said. "You can each have a friend. But have you explained to Maddalena?"
"If you think it necessary, I will explain."
"It would be better, because she is Sicilian and she must think you love her."
"Gaspare!"
The boy looked at him keenly and smiled.