We went into his bedroom, and he rang for
moresodas. We talked for some time, leaning on the inner rail of the upper deck. I
didnt tell him I was here till I had got here.
We got at last into a boat and were rowed
ashore.
He introduced meto these two young men: one Gabriel
Mazzaiba and the other Salonia. I hope I shall have anopportunity to introduce you
to him. Sure it will be an affair of the police, he said with a
grimace.
And at the same timeit was so cruel, and so rude.
So, they were on board, on their way to Africa. I will go to the Prefettura,I will
go to the Questura, to the police. I came to you, if it hadnt been foryou I should
have gone to Rome.
But he will not leave my house, hewill not leave
Taormina till he has paid. But what an awful long time wewere starting!
Nothing further has happened at the monastery, he
said. I told him I would leave aletter and a cheque for him at the bank in the Corso
that afternoon. He was anxiousto get something under way. And yet the trouble of
these arrangementswas almost too much for his nerves.
I have got my visés and everything ready. He is
only an acquaintance of mine, not a friend.
He went up to town alone at noon as Mazzaiba wentto
Singlea. But there was the strike of steamers still, we hadto wait on.