He stopped. What need was there to go on? She had read him and was openly rejoicing in what she thought his slyness.
"And my father," she added, "is a fox of the sea, signore. Ask Gaspare if there is another who is like him. You will see! When they stop playing at dawn the twenty-five lire will be in his pocket!"
She spoke with pride.
"But Gaspare is so lucky," said Maurice.
"Gaspare is only a boy. How can he cheat better than my father?"
"They cheat, then!"
"Of course, when they can. Why not, madonna!"
Maurice burst out laughing.
"And you call me birbante!" he said.
"To know what my father loves best! Signorino! Signorino!"