"Let us make haste and get home quickly."

But Carlino, hearing the sound of dance-music issuing from the Hotel de
Flandre, ordered them to stop and began writing in his note-book. Noemi
was saying something about the Hotel de Flandre, where she had stayed
some years before, when Jeanne suddenly interrupted her:

"Did Maria write you that long story?"

Noemi answered, apprehensive rather than surprised.

"Yes, it was Maria."

"I do not understand," replied Jeanne, "why she should have taken all
that trouble."

Noemi did not answer. Jeanne shook her arm which she still held. "Will
you not speak? What do you think?"

Although both now were silent, they did not hear Carlino call to them to
turn to the left. He came up angrily, and taking them by the shoulders,
turned them, fuming the while, in another direction. They obeyed without
noticing his voice or manner.

"Will you not answer?" Jeanne repeated, half aggrieved and half amazed.

Noemi in her turn pressed her friend's arm.

"Wait until we get home," she said.