"I am sure that all this--I mean that this has something to do with
Ruffo."
Gaspare said nothing.
"I know you like Ruffo, Gaspare. I believe you like him very much.
Don't you?"
"Signora, Ruffo has never done me any harm."
"Ruffo is very fond of you."
She saw Gaspare redden.
"He respects and admires you more than other people. I have noticed
that."
Gaspare cleared his throat but did not look up or make any remark.
"Both the Signorina and I like Ruffo, too. We feel--at least I feel--I
feel as if he had become one of the family."
Gaspare looked up quickly and his eyes were surely fierce.
"One of the family!" he exclaimed.
Hermione wondered if he were jealous.
"I don't mean that I put him with you, Gaspare. No--but he seems to me
quite a friend. Tell me--do you know anything against Ruffo?"
"Non, Signora."
It came very slowly from his lips.
"Absolutely nothing?"
"Signora, I don't know anything bad of Ruffo."
"I felt sure not. Don't you like his coming to the island?"
Gaspare's face was still flushed.
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