a better price. Besides Morano had an honest face, or a face at
least that seemed honest in such an inn: and while these thoughts
were passing through his mind Morano spoke again: "Good hams,"
said Morano. He had already eaten one and was starting upon the
next. Perhaps he spoke out of gratitude for the honour and
physical advantage of being permitted to sit there and eat those
hams, perhaps tentatively, to find out whether he might consume
the second, perhaps merely to start a conversation, being
attracted by the honest looks of Rodriguez.

"You are hungry," said Rodriguez.

"Praise God I am always hungry," answered Morano. "If I were not
hungry I should starve."

"Is it so?" said Rodriguez.

"You see," said Morano, "the manner of it is this: my master gives
me no food, and it is only when I am hungry that I dare to rob him
by breaking in, as you saw me, upon his viands; were I not hungry
I should not dare to do so, and so ..." He made a sad and
expressive movement with both his hands suggestive of autumn
leaves blown hence to die.

"He gives you no food?" said Rodriguez.

"It is the way of many men with their dog," said Morano. "They
give him no food," and then he rubbed his hands cheerfully, "and
yet the dog does not die."