And we're going to begin to-morrow because we've got two English people at the villa who adore mountains.

Do you think you can find us a guide and some donkeys?
We want a nice, gentle, lady-like donkey for my aunt, and another for the English lady and a third to carry the things--and maybe me, if I get tired.

Then we want a man who will twist their tails and make them go; and I am very particular about the man.

I want him to be picturesque--there's no use being in Italy if you can't have things picturesque, is there, Gustavo ?" "_Si_, signorina," he bowed and resumed his attitude of strained attention.
"He must have curly hair and black eyes and white teeth and a nice smile; I should like him to wear a red sash and earrings.

He must be obliging and cheerful and deferential and speak good Italian--I won't have a man who speaks only dialect.