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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"A Spirit in Prison"


"Si!"
All ignorance and all stupidity were surely enshrined in that word
thus said.
"Where did you know Gaspare?"
"Who says I know Gaspare?"
The way in which she pronounced his name revealed to Hermione a former
intimacy between them.
"Ruffo says so."
The parrot was quite at the edge of the board now, listening
apparently with cold intensity to every word that was being said. And
Hermione felt that behind the kitchen door the two women were
straining their ears to catch the conversation. Was the whole world
listening? Was the whole world coldly, cruelly intent upon her painful
effort to come out of darkness into--perhaps a greater darkness?
"Ruffo says so. Ruffo told me so."
"Boys say anything."
"Do you mean it is not true?"
Maddalena's face was now almost devoid of expression. She had set her
knees wide apart and planted her hands on them.
"Do you mean that?" repeated Hermione.
"Boys--"
"I know it is true. You knew Gaspare in Sicily. You come from
Marechiaro.


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