That lady had, indeed, become more than usually sharp and foreboding.
She received the signorino's gay effusions in ominous silence, and would
frown darkly while Madame Petrucci petted her "little bird," as she
called Goneril. Once, indeed, Miss Prunty was heard to remark that it
was tempting Providence to have dealings with a creature whose very
name was a synonym for ingratitude. But the elder lady only smiled and
declared that her Gonerilla was charming, delicious, a real sunshine in
the house.
"Now I call on you to support me, signorino," she cried one evening,
when the three elders sat together in the room, while Goneril watered
the roses on the terrace. "Is not my Gonerilla a charming little
_bebe_?"
Signor Graziano withdrew his eyes from the window.
"Most charming, certainly, but scarcely such a child. She is seventeen,
you know, my dear signora."
"Seventeen! _Santo Dio!_ And what is one at seventeen but an innocent,
playful, charming little kitten?"
"You are always right, madame," agreed the signorino, but he looked as
if he thought she were very wrong.
"Of course I am right," laughed the little lady. "Come here, my
Gonerilla, and hold my skein for me. Signor Graziano is going to charm
us with one of his delightful airs.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93