taying here--what do they look like? Are
they young?'

Gustavo delivered himself of an inimitable gesture which suggested that
the English ladies had entered the bounds of that indefinite period when
the subject of age must be politely waived.

'They are tall, signorina, and of a thinness--you would not believe it
possible.'

'I see! And so the poor young man was bored?'

Gustavo bowed vaguely. He saw no connexion.

'He was awfully good-looking,' she added with a sigh. 'I'm afraid I made
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 Magg