Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

CARMELA.
V
165
changed his habits in a singular manner. During the first few
days he had had certain huge books sent him from Naples, and
during the evenings of several weeks he had done nothing but
read and make notes and indulge
in long and abstruse discussions
with the doctor, always -ending with the remark :
"
Well,
enough of it. I fancy that physicians can do little or nothing
"
in those cases ! "We will see how you succeed," the doctor
would reply ;
and they parted with these words, only to resume
the discussion from the beginning the following day.
One day, after having asked certain questions of the syndic,
the officer had sent for the only tailor in the town, then had
betaken himself to the shop of the sole hatter, and from thence
to the only haberdasher's establishment. Four
days thereafter
he went out to walk on the sea-shore all dressed in Russian
linen, with a broad straw hat and a sky-blue cravat. The doctor
in meeting him the same " "
evening had asked : Well ?
" "
Nothing." Not even a sign " " ? Nothing, nothing."
" " "
No matter, persevere." Oh, never fear !
The receiver of the town had been a singer for many years
and knew how to play on several instruments. One day the
officer went to him, and without any preamble, said :
" Will you
do me the favor to teach me to play the "
guitar ? And the receiver,
beginning that very day, gave lessons on the guitar, morning
and evening, to the lieutenant, who learned with wonderful
quickness, and in a short time was able to accompany himself
in singing. "You must have a beautiful voice," the master
said to him one day. And in truth his voice was lovely. Then
he began to learn to sing, and at the end of a month he sang to
the guitar the little Sicilian songs with such taste and feeling
that it was a pleasure to hear him.
"
We had another officer