And after a moment, Hermione moved away.
"You are going in, Madre?"
"Yes."
"Do you mind if I give something to that boy?"
"Do you mean money?"
"Oh no. But the poor thing's eating dry bread, and--"
"And what, you puss?"
"Well, he's a very obedient boy."
"How can you know that?"
"He was idling in the boat, and I called out to him to jump into the
sea, and he jumped in immediately."
"Do you think because he heard you?"
"Certainly I do."
"You conceited little creature! Perhaps he was only pleasing himself!"
"No, Madre, no. I think I should like to give him a little reward
presently--for his singing too."
"Get him a dolce, then, from Carmela, if there is one. And you can
give him some cigarettes."
"I will. He'll love that. Oh dear! I wish he didn't make me
dissatisfied with myself!"
"Nonsense, Vere!"
Hermione bent down and kissed her child. Then she went rather quickly
away from the pavilion and entered the Casa del Mare.
CHAPTER II
After her mother had gone, Vere waited for a moment, then ran lightly
to the house, possessed herself of a dolce and a packet of cigarettes,
and went down the steps to the Pool of San Francesco, full of
hospitable intentions towards the singing boy.
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