"
"Do you gain much beyond your pay?" asked Gino, diverted
for an instant.
"I do not accept small sums now. It is not worth the
risk. But the German was another matter. But listen, my
Gino, for I am older than you and more full of experience.
The person who understands us at first sight, who never
irritates us, who never bores, to whom we can pour forth
every thought and wish, not only in speech but in
silence--that is what I mean by SIMPATICO."
"There are such men, I know," said Gino. "And I have
heard it said of children. But where will you find such a woman?"
"That is true. Here you are wiser than I. SONO POCO
SIMPATICHE LE DONNE. And the time we waste over them is
much." He sighed dolefully, as if he found the nobility of
his sex a burden.
"One I have seen who may be so. She spoke very little,
but she was a young lady--different to most. She, too, was
English, the companion of my wife here. But Fra Filippo,
the brother-in-law, took her back with him. I saw them
start. He was very angry."
Then he spoke of his exciting and secret marriage, and
they made fun of the unfortunate Philip, who had travelled
over Europe to stop it.
"I regret though," said Gino, when they had finished
laughing, "that I toppled him on to the bed. A great tall
man! And when I am really amused I am often impolite."
"You will never see him again," said Spiridione, who
carried plenty of philosophy about him. "And by now the
scene will have passed from his mind.
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