And I think the boy was speaking the truth, because if it were a lie he would have spoken in another way.

For it was as easy to say that the Count kissed her as to say that she would not let him, and he would have had the tobacco all the same." "May he die of a stroke!" muttered Ruggiero.
"But if I were in your place," said his brother calmly, "I would not do anything to your padrone, because the girl is a good girl and gave him the good answer, and as for him--" Bastianello shrugged his shoulders.
"May the sharks get his body and the devil get his soul!" "That will be as it shall be," answered Bastianello.

"And it is sure that if God wills, the grampuses will eat him.

But we do not know the end.

What I would say is this, that it is time you should speak to the girl, because I see how white you get when we talk of her, and you are consuming yourself and will have an illness, and though I could work for both you and me, four arms are better than two, in summer as in winter.
Therefore I say, go and speak to her, for she will have you and she will be better with you than near that apoplexy of a San Miniato." Ruggiero did not answer at once, but pulled out his pipe and filled it and began to smoke.
"Why should I speak ?" he asked at last.