17. “Wait till my father comes.”
18. “How can I wait! A curse upon it! They will be here in five minutes. Come, hide me, or I will kill you.”
Note the lad’s constant coolness, and sly calculation.
19. Fortunato answered him with the utmost coolness:
20. “Your gun is empty, and there are no more cartridges in your carchera.”[17]
21. “I have my stiletto.”
22. “But could you run as fast as I can?”
23. He gave a leap, and put himself out of reach.
The right of asylum to kin is sacred to primitive peoples.
24. “You are no son of Mateo Falcone! Will you then allow me to be taken in front of your home?”