He appeared, on the contrary, quite unusually cheerful as he sauntered whistling, across the court and seated himself in the exact chair the signorina had occupied.

He plunged his hand into his pocket suggestively--Gustavo had been the only one omitted in the distribution of silver--and drew forth a roll of bills.

Having selected five crisp five-lire notes, he placed them under the sugar bowl, and watched his companion while he blew three meditative rings of smoke.
"Gustavo," he inquired, "do you suppose you could find me some nice, gentle, lady-like donkeys and a red sash and a pair of earrings ?" Gustavo's fascinated gaze had been fixed upon the sugar bowl and he had only half caught the words.
"_Scusi_, signore, I no understand." "Just sit down, Gustavo, it makes me nervous to see you standing all the time.

I can't be comfortable, you know, unless everybody else is comfortable.

Now pay strict attention and see if you can grasp my meaning." Gustavo dubiously accepted the edge of the indicated chair; he wished to humor the signore's mood, however incomprehensible that mood might be.
For half an hour he listened with strained attention while the gentleman talked and toyed with the sugar bowl.