You could have talked to her, and she would have liked it.

It is easy when a woman is sitting apart and a man brings her good food and wine--you could have spoken a word into her ear." Ruggiero was silent, but he slowly nodded twice, then shook his head.
"You do not say anything," continued Bastianello, "and you do wrong.
What I tell you is true, and you cannot deny it.

After all, we are men and they are women.

Are they to speak first ?" "It is just," answered Ruggiero laconically.
"But then, per Dio, go and talk to her.

Are you going to begin giving her the gold before you have spoken ?" From which question it will be clear to the unsophisticated foreigner that a regular series of presents in jewelry is the natural accompaniment of a well-to-do courtship in the south.