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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"A Spirit in Prison"

And Don Gaspare, too, he looked"--Ruffo paused, then
used a word beloved of Sicilians who wish to be impressive--"he looked
mysterious, Signora. Don Gaspare looked mysterious."
"Mysterious? Gaspare?"
"Si, Signora, he did. And he looked almost white, too, but not like my
mamma. And then my mamma said, 'Gaspare!' just like that, Signora, and
put out her hand--so. And Don Gaspare's face got red and hot. And then
for a minute they spoke together, Signora, and I could not hear what
they said. For Don Gaspare stood with his back so that I should not
hear. And then the balloon went sideways and the people ran, and I did
not see Don Gaspare any more. And after that, Signora, my mamma was
crying all the time. And she would not tell me anything. I only heard
her say: 'To think of its being Gaspare! To think of its being Gaspare
on the island!' And when we got home she said to me, 'Ruffo,' she
said, 'has Gaspare ever said you were like somebody?' What is it,
Signora?"
"Nothing, Ruffo.


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