"But surely," suggested he, "in Italy, in summer, it is its
bounden duty to be a trifle warm?"
The Duchessa smiled.
"You like it? So do I. But what the country really needs is
rain."
"Then let us hope," said he, "that the country's real needs may
remain unsatisfied."
The Duchessa tittered.
"Think of the poor farmers," she said reproachfully.
"It's vain to think of them," he answered. "'T is an
ascertained fact that no condition of the weather ever contents
the farmers."
The Duchessa laughed.
"Ah, well," she consented, "then I 'll join in your hope that
the fine weather may last. I--I trust," she was so good as to
add, "that you're not entirely uncomfortable at Villa
Floriano?"
"I dare n't allow myself to speak of Villa Floriano," he
replied. "I should become dithyrambic. It's too adorable."
"It has a pretty garden, and--I remember--you admired the
view," the Duchessa said. "And that old Marietta? I trust she
does for you fairly well?" Her raised eyebrows expressed
benevolent (or was it in some part humorous?) concern.
"She does for me to perfection. That old Marietta is a
priceless old jewel," Peter vowed.
"A good cook?" questioned the Duchessa.
"A good cook--but also a counsellor and friend. And with a
flow of language!"
The Duchessa laughed again.
"Oh, these Lombard peasant women. They are untiring
chatterers."
"I 'm not sure," Peter felt himself in justice bound to
confess, "that Marietta is n't equally untiring as a listener.
In fact, there's only one respect in which she has disappointed
me."
"Oh--?" said the Duchessa. And her raised eyebrows demanded
particulars.
"She swears she does n't wear a dagger in her garter--has never
heard of such a practice," Peter explained. "And now," he
whispered to his soul, "we 'll see whether our landlady is up
in modern literature."
Still again the Duchessa laughed. And, apparently, she was up
in modern literature. At any rate-"Those are Lombard country-girls along the coast," she reminded
him. "We are peaceful inland folk, miles from the sea. But
you had best be on your guard, none the less." She shook her
head, in warning. "Through all this country-side that old
Marietta is reputed to be a witch."
"If she's a witch," said Peter, undismayed, "her usefulness
will be doubled. I shall put her to the test directly I get
home."