ied. Very little was heard of him,
except that he was engaged in some speculative business, until at last
news came of his death. Had he died six months before, he would have
left nothing, but it happened that the markets were favourable and he
died rich. After the usual delays, his money came and was divided
between his surviving brothers. Vanni's father enlarged the wine shop,
bought vineyards and a ship, took his son away from the stage and sent
him to the University. In course of time he enlarged his business and
took Vanni into partnership. Peppino's father gave up being sagrestano,
bought vineyards and the Albergo della Madonna (con giardino) and
educated his son. The part of Peppino's education that was most useful
to him was his two years in England, and that did not cost his father
anything, for he would only take money enough for the journey and all the
time he was away he kept himself and saved, so that he not only repaid
his father and paid for his journey home but had money in the bank.

By this time we had arrived at the quay and Peppino went off to his
uncle's shop for information as to approaching the _Sorella di Ninu_,
leaving me alone with Carmelo. He seized the opportunity.

"I have been to see you several times because I wanted to tell you that I
also have been in prison."

"Hullo! Carmelo," I said, "have you been trying to murder your father?"

"No," he said, "it was not my father. It was a friend. We quarrelled.
I drew my knife and stabbed him in the arm. It happened last year."

I sympathized as well as I could and assured him that it should make no
difference in the relations between us.

Why did I say this? Why was I so indulgent towards Carmelo and so
implacable to Rosario? It seems as though an Englishman may also be a
mass of contradictions. It is true that parricide is perhaps the most
repulsive form that murder can take, but I do not think this had anything
to do with it, for ordinary murder is sufficiently repulsive. I believe
I was influenced by a conversation we had had during our last expedition;
Carmelo had told me that he intended soon to leave private service, to
marry and go into partnership with Rosario.

"But, Carmelo," I had objected, "would not that be rather risky? Don't
you remember that Rosario has been to prison for trying to kill your
father?"

"Oh, that all happened a long time ago and Rosario has married and
settled down since then."

Evidently C