OLIVE ... |
| By MORAY DALTON |
 |
| London T. FISHER UNWIN MCMIX |
[All Rights Reserved]
“For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,and the wine is red; it is full mixed, and Hepoureth out of the same. As for the dregsthereof: all the ungodly of the earth shall drinkthem....”
CONTENTS
| BOOK I. | |
| PAGE | |
| Siena | 17 |
| BOOK II. | |
| Florence | 115 |
| BOOK III. | |
| Rome | 213 |
OLIVE IN ITALY
BOOK I.—SIENA
CHAPTER I
“I believe that Olive Agar is going to tellyou that she can’t pay her bill,” said the landlady’sdaughter as she set the breakfast traydown on the kitchen table.
“Good gracious, Gwen, how you do startleone! Why?”
“She began again about the toast, and Itold her straight that you always set yourselfagainst any unnecessary cooking. Meat andvegetables must be done, I said, but thosewho can’t relish bread as it comes from thebaker’s, and plain boiled potatoes, can gowithout, I said. Then she says, of courseI must do as my mother tells me, and would Iask you to step up and see her presently.”
“Perhaps you were a bit too sharp withher.”
The girl sniffed resentfully. “Good riddanceif she goes,” she called after her mother.
Mrs Simons knocked perfunctorily at thedining-room door.
[18]A young voice bade her come in. “Iwanted to tell you that I heard from mycousins in Italy this morning. I am going tostay with them for a little, so I shall be leavingyou at the end of the week.”
The landlady’s cold stare was disconcerting.There was a distinct note of disapproval in hervoice as she answered, “I do not know muchabout Italy.” She seemed to think it notquite a seemly subject, yet she pursued it.“I should have thought it was better for ayoung lady without parents or friends to findsome occupation in her own country.”
Olive smiled. “Ah, but I hate boiledpotatoes, and I think I shall love Italy andItalian cooking. You remember the Athenianswho were always