te understand."

O'Mally shivered for a moment. Was she going to spring Dago on him? "I
am Italian," he said easily. "I was born, however, in County Clare. My
father and mother were immigrants to Ireland." His face was as solemn as
an owl's.

"That explains it."

O'Mally took a new lease of life. "Now let me show you the Hadrian
mosaic, from the Villa Hadrian in Tivoli, out of Rome." He swept back
the sand. "Is it not magnificent?"

"Looks like a linoleum pattern," was the comment of one of the men.

"You are not far from right," said O'Mally. "It was from this very
mosaic that the American linoleums were originally designed."

"Indeed!" said the woman with the glasses.

"Yes, Signora."

"Ma," whispered the girl, "ask him for one of those buttons."

The stage-whisper was overheard by O'Mally. "These buttons," he
explained, "cost a lira each; but if the signorina really wishes
one--" And thus another lira swelled the profits of the day. O'Mally
wondered if he ought not to keep this one lira since it was off his own
coat and not Pietro's.

On the balcony of the villa appeared two women. The woman with the
glasses at once discovered them.

"Who is that handsome woman?" she demanded.

O'Mally paled slightly. "That," touching his cap respectfully, "is her
Highness, La Principessy d' Monty Bianchy, the owner of the Villa
Ariadne." Ha! He had them here.

The tourists stared at the balcony. A real live princess! They no longer
regretted the two lire fifty. This was something worth while.

"We did not know that the princess lived here."

"It is but a temporary visit. She is here incognito. You must not repeat
what I have told you," was O'Mally's added warning.

On the balcony the two women were talking quietly.

"What in the world is that man O'Mally up to now?" said La Signorina
curiously.

"Can't you see?" replied Kitty. "He is acting as guide in Pietro's
place."

"Merciful heavens!" La Signorina retired, stifling her laughter.

At the gates O'Mally received his _pourboire_ of twenty centesimi, saw
his charge outside, closed and locked the gates, and returned to Pietro,
who was in a greatly agitated state of mind.

"_Quando!_" he cried.

O'Mally handed him the exact amount, minus the lira for the button.

"_Santa Maria!_ All thees? How? No more I take dem; you!"

O'Mally sat down on the bench and laughed. It was as good a part as he
had ever had.

* * * * *

Ear