dbytheservice.
“Certainly!certainly!”Hestrodeinaknowingwaytoacupboard.Buthehadnoideawherethesofttowelwas.Generallyhedabbedthebabyonthefirstdrythinghefound.
“Andifyouhadanypowder.”
Hestruckhisforeheaddespairingly.Apparentlythestockofpowderwasjustexhausted.
Shesacrificedherowncleanhandkerchief.Heputachairforherontheloggia,whichfacedwestward,andwasstillpleasantandcool.Thereshesat,withtwentymilesofviewbehindher,andheplacedthedrippingbabyonherknee.Itshonenowwithhealthandbeauty:itseemedtoreflectlight,likeacoppervessel.JustsuchababyBellinisetslanguidonhismother’slap,orSignorelliflingswrigglingonpavementsofmarble,orLorenzodiCredi,morereverentbutlessdivine,layscarefullyamongflowers,withhisheaduponawispofgoldenstraw.ForatimeGinocontemplatedthemstanding.Then,togetabetterview,hekneltbythesideofthechair,withhishandsclaspedbeforehim.
SotheywerewhenPhilipentered,andsaw,toallintentsandpurposes,theVirginandChild,withDonor.
“Hullo!”heexclaimedforhewasgladtofindthingsinsuchcheerfultrim.
Shedidnotgreethim,butroseupunsteadilyandhandedthebabytohisfather.
“No,dostop!”whisperedPhilip.“Igotyournote.I’mnotoffendedyou’requiteright.IreallywantyouIcouldneverhavedoneitalone.”
Nowordscamefromher,butsheraisedherhandstohermouth,likeonewhoisinsuddenagony.
“Signorina,dostopalittle—afterallyourkindness.”
Sheburstintotears.
“Whatisit?”saidPhilipkindly.
Shetriedtospeak,andthenwentawayweepingbitterly.
Thetwomenstaredateachother.Byacommonimpulsetheyranontotheloggia.TheywerejustintimetoseeMissAbbottdisappearamongthetrees.
“Whatisit?”askedPhilipagain.Therewasnoanswer,andsomehowhedidnotwantananswer.Somestrangethinghadhappenedwhichhecouldnotpresumetounderstand.HewouldfindoutfromMissAbbott,ifeverhefoundoutatall.
“Well,yourbusiness,”saidGino,afterapuzzledsigh.
“Ourbusiness—MissAbbotthastoldyouofthat.”
“No.”
“Butsurely—”
“Shecameforbusiness.ButsheforgotaboutitsodidI.”
Perfetta,whohadageniusformissingpeople,nowreturned,loudlycomplainingofthesizeofMonterianoandtheintricaciesofitsstreets.Ginotoldhertowatchthebaby.ThenheofferedPhilipacigar,andtheyproceededtothebusiness.