"Si, signore. But shall I fetch the donkeys?"
Maurice stole a glance at Maddalena. She was looking frankly piteous.
"Have you got the clock yet?" he asked Gaspare.
Gaspare began to look rather miserable, too.
"It has not been put up. Perhaps they are putting it up now."
"Gaspare," Maurice said, hastily, "we can't be back to meet the signora now. Even if we went at once we should be hours late—and the donkeys are tired, perhaps. They will go slowly unless they have a proper rest. It is a dreadful pity, but I think if the signora knew she would wish us to stay now till the fair is over. She would not wish to spoil your pleasure. Do you think she would?"
"No, signore. The signora always wishes people to be happy."
"Even if we went at once it would be night before we got back."
"Si, signore."