She now smiled sadly without
answering.
Tea was served by the Professor and his sister, and put an end to
conversation for a few moments. It soon burst forth again, however, the
topic being Benedetto's discourse. There ensued such a confusion of
senseless remarks, of worthless opinions, of would-be wise sayings
devoid of wisdom that the lady in black proposed to Signora Albacina, in
whose company she had come, that they should take their departure. But
at that point the Marchesa Fermi, having discovered a small bell on the
mantel-shelf, began ringing it, to obtain silence. "I should like to
hear about this garden," she said.
The Friends and the middle-aged spinster, engaged in a warm discussion
of Benedetto's Catholic orthodoxy, would not have left off for ten
bells, had not the spinster's curiosity been roused by the word
"garden." It now burst forth unchecked! Garden indeed! The Professor
must tell them all he knew about this Father Hecker, who was an
Italian and a layman. Partly to display her knowledge, partly from
thoughtlessness, she had already bestowed this title upon Benedetto.
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