Tony feigned immersion in the business of strapping hampers; he had no wish to be drawn into any Italian _tete-a-tete_.

But to his relief she addressed him this time in English.
'Are these donkeys used to mountain-climbing ?' 'But yes, signorina! _Sicuramente_.

Zay are ver' strong, ver' good.

Zat donk', signorina, he go all day and never one little stumble.' His English, she noted with amused appreciation, was an exact copy of Gustavo's; he had learned his lesson well.

But she allowed not the slightest recognition of the fact to appear in her face.
'And what are their names ?' she inquired.
'Dis is Fidilini, signorina, and zat one wif ze white nose is Macaroni, and zat ovver is Cristoforo Colombo.' Elizabetta appeared in the doorway with two rush-covered flasks, and Tony hurried forward to receive them.