"Was not there. Mamma Maria dotes."
Anna breathed more freely; still, the unusual roughness of her son's tone and the asperity of his replies surprised the already alarmed mother.
"Don't go now to the field, my child," she said in a supplicating voice.
"Not go to the field, and why?"
"Because I feel in my heart that you ought not, and you know that my heart is true."
"Yes, I know it!" he answered, with such acerbity and bitterness that Anna began to fear that although he might not have found Rita at the feast, he had, nevertheless, his suspicions.
"Well, then, since you know it, do not go," she said.
"Madam," answered Perico, "women sometimes exasperate men by trying to govern them. They say that I have been brought up under your wing. I intend now to fly alone," and he went toward the gate.
"Is this my son?" cried the poor mother. "Something is the matter with him! Something is wrong!"