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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"A Spirit in Prison"

Ruffo's Patrigno is a bad man. Better leave
them alone."
"But, Ruffo?"
"Signora?"
"You like him, don't you?"
"Si, Signora. There is no harm in him."
"And the poor mother?"
"I am not friends with his mother, Signora. I do not want to be."
Hermione was surprised by his harshness.
"But why not?"
"There are people at Mergellina who are bad people," he said. "We are
not Neapolitan. We had better keep to ourselves. You have too much
heart, Signora, a great deal too much heart, and you do not always
know what people are."
"Do you think I ought not to have given Ruffo that money for his
mother?" Hermione asked, almost meekly.
"Si, Signora. It is not for you to give his mother money. It is not
for you."
"Well, Gaspare, it's done now."
"Si, it's done now."
"You don't think Ruffo bad, do you?"
After a pause, Gaspare answered:
"No, Signora. Ruffo is not bad."
Hermione hesitated. She wanted to ask Gaspare something, but she was
not sure that the opportunity was a good one.


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