The younger of the brothers was less passionate, less nervous and less easily moved in every way than the elder, but he possessed much of the same general character and all of the same fundamental good qualities--strength, courage and fidelity.

In his quiet way he was deeply and sincerely in love with Teresina, and meant, if possible and if Ruggiero did not take her, to make her his wife.
At last Ruggiero's tall figure appeared at the corner of the building occupied by the coastguard station, and Bastianello immediately whistled to him, giving a signal which had served the brothers since they were children.

Ruggiero started, turned his head and at once jumped into the first boat he could lay hands on and pulled out alongside of his brother.
"What is it ?" he asked, letting his oars swing astern and laying hold on the gunwale of the sail boat.
"About Teresina," answered Bastianello, taking his pipe from his mouth and leaning towards his brother.

"The son of the Son of the Fool was swimming about here just now, and he hauled himself half aboard of me and made faces.

So I took the boat-hook to hit his fingers.