e with your
special department!

_The Cic._ (_to CULCHARD, who looks another way_). Ici le tombeau di
GIOVANNI DELLA SCALA, Signore. Verri grazioso molto magnifique, joli
conserve! (_He skins up on the pedestal, and touches a sarcophagus_.)
Non bronzo--verde-antique!

[_Nods at CULCHARD, with a beaming smile._

_Culch._ (_with a growl_). Va bene, va bene--_we_ know all about it!

_Bob P. You_ may; but you might give Miss TROTTER and me a chance, you
know!

_The Cic._ Zees, Marmor di Carrara; _zat_, Marmor di Verona--Verona
marbre. MARTINO PRIMO a fait batir. (_Counting on his fingers for
CULCHARD's benefit._) Quattuor dichieme secolo--_fotteen_!

_Culch._ Will you kindly understand that I am quite capable of
estimating the precise period of this sculpture for myself.

_The Cic._ Si-si, Signore. Scultore BONINO DA CAMPIGLIONE. (_With a
wriggle of deferential enthusiasm._) Bellissimo scultore!

_Miss T._ He's got an idea you find him vurry instructive, Mr.
CULCHARD, and I guess, if you want to disabuse him, you'd better do it
in Italian.

_Culch._ I think my Italian is equal to conveying an impression that
I can willingly dispense with his society. (_To the Cic._) Andate
via--do you understand? An-da-te _via_!

_The Cic._ (_hurt, and surprised_). Ah, Signore!

[_He breaks into a fervent vindication of his value as guide,
philosopher, and friend._

_Miss T._ I guess he's endeavouring to intimate that his wounded
self-respect isn't going to be healed under haff a dollar. And every
red cent I had went on that old pot! Mr. CULCHARD, will you give him a
couple of francs for me?

_Culch._ I--er--really see no necessity. He's done nothing whatever to
deserve it!

_Bob P._ (_eagerly_). May _I_. Miss TROTTER? (_Producing a ten-lire
note_.) This is the smallest change I've got.

_Miss T._ No. I guess ten francs would start him with more
self-respect than he's got any use for. Mr. CULCHARD will give him
three--that's one apiece--to punish him for being so real mean!

_Culch._ (_indignantly_). Mean? because I--! (_He pays and dismisses
the Cic._) Now we can examine these monuments in peace--they are
really--er--unique examples of the sepulchral pomp of Italian
mediaevalism.

_Miss T._ They're handsome tombs enough--but considerable cramped. I
should have thought these old Scallywags would have looked around
for a roomier burying lot. (_To CULCHARD, who shivers_.) You aren't
feeling sick any?

_Cu