"Yes, no doubt. Still, there must be an inquiry. Gaspare will have to explain—"
He looked at the weeping boy, then at the woman who stood there holding the boy's hand in hers.
"But that will be for to-morrow," he muttered, fingering his shirt-front and looking down. "That will be for to-morrow."
As he went out he added:
"Signora, do not remain in your wet clothes."
"I—oh, thank you. They do not matter."
She did not follow him into the next room. As he went down the steps to the terrace the sound of Gaspare's passionate weeping followed him into the night.
When the doctor was on the donkey and was riding out through the arch, after a brief colloquy with the fishermen and with Giuseppe, whom he had told to remain at the cottage for the rest of the night, he suddenly remembered the cigar which he had left upon the table, and he pulled up.
"What is it, Signor Dottore?" said one of the fishermen.