The men upon the quay had dropped their work to see their pastor
off, who bowed and nodded kindly, right and left.

"What for must he go to Capri, granny?" asked the child. "Have the
people there no priest of their own, that they must borrow ours?"

"Silly thing!" returned the granny. "Priests they have in plenty--
and the most beautiful of churches, and a hermit too, which is more
than we have. But there lives a great signora, who once lived here;
she was so very ill! Many's the time our padre had to go and take
the Most Holy to her, when they thought she could not live the
night. But with the Blessed Virgin's help she got strong and well,
and was able to bathe every day in the sea. When she went away, she
left a fine heap of ducats behind her for our church, and for the
poor; and she would not go, they say, until our padre promised to go
and see her over there, that she might confess to him as before. It
is quite wonderful, the store she lays by him! Indeed, and we have
cause to bless ourselves for having a curato who has gifts enough
for an archbishop, and is in such request with all the great folks.
The Madonna be with him!" she cried, and waved her hand again, as
the boat was about to put from shore.

"Are we to have fair weather, my son?" inquired the little priest,
with an anxious look toward Naples.

"The sun is not yet up," the young man answered; "when he comes, he
will easily do for that small trifle of mist."

"Off with you, then! that we may arrive before the heat."