"No, he never married; he was long in foreign parts, and many a good
piastre he has laid together. He is going to set up a great fishing
business, and set me over it, to see the rights of it."

"Why, then you are a made man, Tonino!"

The young boatman shrugged his shoulders.

"Every man has his own burden," said he, starting up again to have
another look at the weather, turning his eyes right and left,
although he must have known that there can be no weather side but
one.

"Let me fetch you another bottle," said the hostess; "your uncle can
well afford to pay for it."

"Not more than one glass; it is a fiery wine you have in Capri, and
my head is hot already."

"It does not heat the blood; you may drink as much of it as you
like. And here is my husband coming; so you must sit a while, and
talk to him."

And in fact, with his nets over his shoulder, and his red cap upon
his curly head, down came the comely padrone of the osteria. He had
been taking a dish of fish to that great lady, to set before the
little curato. As soon as he caught sight of the young boatman, he
began waving him a most cordial welcome; and he came to sit beside
him on the bench, chattering and asking questions. Just as his wife