"He needn't be afraid of the grandmother's not responding, need he, Maurice?"
"No," he said, smiling too. "But is that it, do you think? Why should it be? Who wouldn't love this place?"
And he went to the open door and looked out towards the sea.
"Who wouldn't?" he repeated.
"Oh, I have met an Englishman who was angry with Etna for being the shape it is."
"What an ass!"
"I thought so, too. But, seriously, I expect the grandmother has something to say in that matter of your feeling already, as if you belonged here."
"Perhaps."
He was still looking towards the distant sea far down below them.
"Is that an island?" he asked.