"Fa niente," he instructed her. "Cows and Englishmen, and all
such sentimental cattle, including Germans, are Germanic.
Italians are Latin--with a touch of the Goth and Vandal. Lions
and tigers growl and fight because they're Mohammedans. Dogs
still bear without abuse the grand old name of Sycophant. Cats
are of the princely line of Persia, and worship fire, fish, and
flattery--as you may have noticed. Geese belong indifferently
to any race you like--they are cosmopolitans; and I've known
here and there a person who, without distinction of
nationality, was a duck. In fact, you're rather by way of
being a duck yourself: And now," he perorated, "never deny
again that I can talk nonsense with an aching heart."

"All the same," insisted Marietta, "it is very comical to see a
cow weep."

"At any rate," retorted Peter, "it is not in the least comical
to hear a hyaena laugh."

"I have never heard one," said she.

"Pray that you never may. The sound would make an old woman of
you. It's quite blood-curdling."

"Davvero?" said Marietta.

"Davvero," he assured her.

And meanwhile the cow stood there, with her head on his