It seemed to her as if, for the
first time, there came from them to her a look that had something in
it of dislike. This look struck her to a terrible melancholy, yet she
met it firmly, almost fiercely, with a glance that fought it, that
strove to beat it back. And with a steady voice she repeated the
question he had not answered.
"Did Ruffo's mother ever know your Padrone?"
Gaspare moved his lips, passing his tongue over them. His eyes fell.
He moved his arm, trying to shift it from his Padrona's hand. Her
fingers closed on it more tenaciously.
"Gaspare, I order you to tell me."
"Signora," he said, "such things are not in my service. I am here to
work, not to answer questions."
He spoke quietly now, heavily, and moved his feet on the carpet.
"You disobey me?"
"Signora, I shall always obey all your orders as a servant."
"And as a friend, Gaspare, as a friend! You are my friend, aren't
you?"
Her voice had suddenly changed, and in answer to it his face changed.
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