XIV
關燈
小
中
大
e,IknowyourhospitalityisquiteunlimitedbutIambeginningtowanttogetbacktoCittàdiCastello.'
'Why?'askedMatteo,doubtfully.
'Onelikestoreturntoone'snativeplace.'
'YouhavebeenawayfromCastellofortenyearsyoucannotbeinanyparticularhurrytogetback.'
IwasbeginningtoprotestwhenCheccocamein,andMatteointerruptedmewith,—
'Listen,Checco,Filipposayshewantstoleaveus.'
'Buthesha'n't,'saidChecco,laughing.
'Ireallymust!'Iansweredgravely.
'Youreallymustn't,'repliedChecco.'Wecan'tspareyou,Filippo.'
'There'snogreathurryaboutyourgoinghome,'headded,whenIhadexplainedmyreasons,'andIfancythatsoonweshallwantyouhere.Agoodswordandabraveheartwillprobablybeofgoodusetous.'
'Everythingisasquietasacemetery,'Isaid,shruggingmyshoulders.
'Itisquietabovebutbelowtherearerumblingsandstrangemovements.Ifeelsurethiscalmonlypresagesastorm.ItisimpossibleforGirolamotogoonasheisnowhisdebtsareincreasingeveryday,andhisdifficultieswillsoonbeimpracticable.Hemustdosomething.Thereiscertaintobeadisturbanceatanyattempttoputonthetaxes,andthenHeavenonlyknowswhatwillhappen.'
Iwasbeginningtogetalittlevexedattheiropposition,andIansweredpetulantly,—
'No,Imustgo.'
'Stayanothermonththingsmustcometoahead
