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

1
78 MILITARY LIFE.
" the greatest part of the work is
accomplished." Then they
sent for Carmela's mother, to whom it was far easier to give
an explanation of the affair, than to the syndic and other
magnates ;
all of them most excellent people, to be sure, in
whom one could confide, but a little dull of comprehension
in matters of that
description.
Carmela had not been feeling well for some days, and had
remained at home almost all the time. The officei and the
doctor went to look for her. She was seated on the ground
outside the door, with her back leaning against the wall. As
soon as she saw them she rose, and moving a trifle more slowly
than usual, went toward the lieutenant and tried, as was her
habit, to embrace him, murmuring, in a feeble voice, her customary
words.
"
"Carmela ! said the lieutenant, " we have a piece of news
for you."
"
A piece of news, a piece of news, a piece of news," repeated
Carmela, gently passing the palm
times over the officer's cheek.
" To-morrow I am going away."
" To-morrow I am going away
? "
"
of her hand three
I, I am going away.
I am going away from here. I am
going to leave this place. I am going to leave with all my soldiers.
I shall go on to the steamer, and the steamer will carry
me far,
far away."
Saying which he rased his arm as if to indicate a great distance.
"
Far, far away," murmured Carmela, looking in the direction
the officer had pointed. She seemed to be thinking
for an instant, and then said, vaguely, in quite an indifferent
tone " : The steamship
. . . which smokes/'