They had been given
to her, but she had not heeded them.
She saw a brown body shoot through the air from the rocks and
disappear into the shining sea. Was it Ruffo? With an effort she
remembered that she had left Ruffo in the tall house, in the room
where the green parrot was.
She walked on slowly till she came to the place where Artois had seen
Ruffo with his mother. A number of tables were set out, but there were
few people sitting at them. She felt tired. She crossed the road, went
to a table, and sat down. A waiter came up and asked her what she
would have.
"Acqua fresca," she said.
He looked surprised.
"Oh--then wine, vermouth--anything!"
He looked more surprised.
"Will you have vermouth, Signora?"
"Yes, yes--vermouth."
He brought her vermouth and iced water. She mixed them together and
drank. But she was not conscious of tasting anything. For a
considerable time she sat there. People passed her. The trams rushed
by. On several of them were printed the words she had looked for in
vain at the station.
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