And in her desperation action
presented itself to her as imperatively necessary--necessary as air is
to one suffocating.
She got up. She would start at once for Mergellina. As she went up-
stairs she remembered that she did not know where Ruffo's mother
lived, what she was like, even what her name was. The boy had always
spoken of her as "Mia Mamma." They dwelt at Mergellina. That was all
she knew.
She did not choose to ask Gaspare anything. She would go alone, and
find out somehow for herself where Ruffo lived. She would ask the
fishermen. Or perhaps she would come across Ruffo. Probably he had
gone home by this time from the fishing.
Quickly, energetically she got ready.
Just before she left her room she saw Vere pass slowly by upon the
sea, rowing a little way out alone, as she often did in the calm
summer weather. Vere had a book, and almost directly she laid the oars
in their places side by side, went into the stern, sat down under the
awning, and began--apparently--to read.
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