Jerry | Page 9

a mistake. It would be rather fun, don't you think, Dad, to have an
entertaining young American gentleman about?'
'Ump!' he grunted. 'I thought you were so immensely satisfied with the
officers.'
'Oh, I am,' she agreed with a shrug which dismissed for ever the young
American gentleman.
'Well, Gustavo,' she added in a business-like tone, 'I will tell you why
we called. The doctor says the Signor Papa is getting too fat. I don't
think he's too fat, do you? He seems to me just comfortably chubby; but
anyway, the doctor says he needs exercise, so we're going to begin
climbing mountains with nails in our shoes like the Germans. 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. He must play the mandolin and
sing Santa Lucia--I believe that's all.'
'And I suppose since he is to act as guide he must know the region?' her
father mildly suggested.
'Oh, no, that's immaterial; we can always ask our way.'
Mr. Wilder grunted, but offered no further suggestion.
'We pay four lire a day and furnish his meals,' she added munificently.
'And we shall begin with the castle on Monte Baldo; then when we get
very proficient we'll climb Monte Maggiore. Do you understand?'
'Ze signorina desires tree donkeys and a driver at seven o'clock
to-morrow morning to climb Monte Baldo?'
'In brief, yes, but please remember the earrings.'
Meanwhile a commotion was going on behind them. The hotel
omnibus had rumbled into the courtyard. A fachino had dragged out a
leather trunk, an English hat-box and a couple of valises and dumped
them on the ground while he ran back for the paste pot and a pile of
labels. The two under-waiters, the chambermaid and the boy who
cleaned boots had drifted into the court. It was evident that the
American gentleman's departure was imminent.
The luggage was labelled and hoisted to the roof of the omnibus; they
all drew up in a line with their eyes on the door; but still the young man

did not come. Gustavo, over his shoulder, dispatched a waiter to hunt
him up. The waiter returned breathless. The gentleman was nowhere.
He had searched the entire house; there was not a trace. Gustavo sent
the boot-boy flying down the arbour to search the garden; he was
beginning to feel anxious. What if the gentleman in a sudden fit of
melancholia had thrown himself into the lake? That would indeed be an
unfortunate affair!
Constance reassured him, and at the same time she arose. It occurred to
her suddenly that, since the young man was going, there was nothing to
be gained by waiting, and he might think---- She picked up her parasol
and started for the gate, but Mr. Wilder hung back; he wanted to see the
matter out.
'Father,' said she reproachfully, 'it's embarrassing enough for him to fee
all those people without our staying and watching him do it.'
'I suppose it is,' he acknowledged regretfully, as he resumed his hat and
umbrella and palm-leaf fan.
She paused for a second in the gateway.
'Addio, Gustavo,' she called over her shoulder. 'Don't forget the
earrings.'
Gustavo bowed twice and turned back with a dazed air to direct the
business in hand. The boot-boy, reappearing, shook his head. No, the
gentleman was not to be found in the garden. The omnibus driver
leaned from his seat and swore.
Corpo di Bacco! Did he think the boat would wait all day for the sake
of one passenger? As it was, they were ten minutes late and would have
to gallop every step of the way.
The turmoil of ejaculation and gesture was approaching a climax; when
suddenly, who should come sauntering into the midst of it but the
young American man himself! He paused to light a cigarette, then
waved his hand aloft toward his leather belongings.

'Take 'em down, Gustavo. Changed my mind; not going