His Italian, however, was more than passable, and he was a wary man by nature as well as by some ten years' training in a service where wariness was the first need, though it was seldom acquired.

He could have answered "No" quite truthfully, being Irish.

He preferred to answer her in Italian as though he had not understood.
"I beg your pardon.

Yes, I will drive you to Bologna if the landlord will swear to look after my horse." And he was very precise in his directions.
The landlord swore very readily.

His anxiety to be rid of his vociferous guest and to get back to bed was extreme.