Then, one morning, San Miniato found Ruggiero waiting outside his door
when he came out. The sailor grew leaner and more silent every day, but
San Miniato seemed to grow stouter and more talkative.
"If you would like to go after crabs this evening, Excellency," said the
former, "the weather is good and they are swarming on the rocks
everywhere."
"What does one do with them?" asked San Miniato. "Are they good to eat?"
"One knows that, Excellency. We put them into a kettle with milk, and
they drink all the milk in the night and the next day they are good to
cook."
"Can we take the ladies, Ruggiero?"
"In the sail boat, Excellency, and then, if you like, you and the
Signorina can go with me in the little one with my brother, and I will
pull while Bastianello and your Excellency take the crabs."
"Very well. Then get a small boat ready for to-night, Ruggiero."
"I have one of my own, Excellency."
"So much the better. If the ladies will not go, you and I can go alone."
"Yes, Excellency."
San Miniato wondered why Ruggiero was so pale.
CHAPTER XI.
Again the mother and daughter were together in the cool shade of their
terrace.
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