The Signora Corbario had not appeared yet, but the Contessa was already out.

As a rule the Signora preferred to have her coffee in her room, as if she were in town.

For some time no one spoke.
"Had we not better send Ercole to find Marcello ?" the Contessa asked at last.
"I had to send Ercole to Porto d'Anzio this morning," Corbario answered.
"I took the opportunity, because I knew there would be no quail with this wind." "Marcello will come in when he is hungry," said Aurora, rather sharply, because she really felt sorry.
But Marcello did not come in.
Soon after eight o'clock his mother appeared on the verandah.

Folco dropped his newspaper and hastened to make her comfortable in her favourite chair.

Though she was not strong, she was not an invalid, but she was one of those women whom it seems natural to help, to whom men bring cushions, and with whom other women are always ready to sympathise.