"
"Most willingly, Excellenza."
CHAPTER XLIX.
AN EMISSARY.
One warm, still afternoon Calabressa was walking quickly along the
crowded quays of Naples, when he was beset by a more than usually
importunate beggar--a youth of about twelve, almost naked.
"Something for bread, signore--for the love of God--my father taken to
heaven, my mother starving--bread, signore--"
"To the devil with you!" said Calabressa.
"May you burst!" replied the polite youth, and he tried to kick
Calabressa's legs and make off at the same time.
This feat he failed in, so that, as he was departing, Calabressa hit him
a cuff on the side of the head which sent him rolling. Then there was a
howl, and presently there was a universal tumult of women, calling out,
"Ah, the German! ah, the foreigner!" and so forth, and drawing
threateningly near. Calabressa sought in his pockets for a handful of
small copper coins, turned, threw them high in the air, and did not stay
to watch the effect of the shower on the heads of the women, but walked
quietly away.
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