A heat of anger rushed over her. She felt as
if Gaspare, and perhaps Artois, were treating her like a child.
"I must go to Mergellina, Gaspare," she said. "And I shall go by tram.
Please row me to the village."
"Va bene, Signora," he answered.
He went to pull in the boat.
CHAPTER XXXVI
When Hermione got out of the boat in the little harbor of the village
on the mainland Gaspare said again:
"I could easily row you to Mergellina, Signore. I am not a bit tired."
She looked at him as he stood with his hand on the prow of the boat.
His shirt-sleeves were rolled up, showing his strong arms. There was
something brave, something "safe"--so she called it to herself--in his
whole appearance which had always appealed to her nature. How she
longed at that moment to be quite at ease with him! Why would he not
trust her completely? Perhaps in her glance just then she showed her
thought, her desire. Gaspare's eyes fell before her.
"I think I'll take the tram," she said, "unless--"
She was still looking at him, longing for him to speak.
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