[025]
This story, so congruous, so consistent in every detail, came trippingly
and without the least hesitancy from her tongue. Andreuccio
remembered that his father had indeed lived at Palermo; he knew by
his own experience the ways of young folk, how prone they are to
love; he saw her melt into tears, he felt her embraces and sisterly
kisses; and he took all she said for gospel. So, when she had done,
he answered:
[026]
"Madam, it should not surprise you that I marvel,
seeing that, in sooth, my father, for whatever cause, said never a word
of you and your mother, or, if he did so, it came not to my knowledge,
so that I knew no more of you than if you had not been;
wherefore, the lonelier I am here, and the less hope I had of such
good luck, the better pleased I am to have found here my sister.
[027]
And indeed, I know not any man, however exalted his station, who
ought not to be well pleased to have such a sister; much more, then,
I, who am but a petty merchant; but, I pray you, resolve me of one
thing: how came you to know that I was here?"
[028]
Then answered
she: "'Twas told me this morning by a poor woman who is much
about the house, because, as she tells me, she was long in the service
of our father both at Palermo and at Perugia; and, but that it seemed
more fitting that thou shouldst come to see me at home than that I
should visit thee at an inn, I had long ago sought thee out."
[029]
She
then began to inquire particularly after all his kinsfolk by name, and
Andreuccio, becoming ever more firmly persuaded of that which it
was least for his good to believe, answered all her questions.
[030]
Their
conversation being thus prolonged and the heat great, she had Greek
wine and sweetmeats brought in, and gave Andreuccio to drink;
and when towards supper-time he made as if he would leave, she
would in no wise suffer it; but, feigning to be very much vexed, she
embraced him, saying:
[031]"Alas! now 'tis plain how little thou carest
for me: to think that thou art with thy sister, whom thou seest for
the first time, and in her own house, where thou shouldst have
alighted on thine arrival, and thou wouldst fain depart hence to go
sup at an inn! Nay but, for certain, thou shalt sup with me; and
albeit, to my great regret, my husband is not here, thou shalt see that
I can do a lady's part in shewing thee honour."
[032]
Andreuccio, not
knowing what else to say, replied: "Sister, I care for you with all
a brother's affection; but if I go not, supper will await me all the
evening at the inn, and I shall justly be taxed with discourtesy."
[033]
Then said she: "Blessed be God, there is even now in the house
one by whom I can send word that they are not to expect thee at the
inn, albeit thou wouldst far better discharge the debt of courtesy by
sending word to thy friends, that they come here to sup; and then,
if go thou must, you might all go in a body."
[034]
Andreuccio replied,
that he would have none of his friends that evening, but since she
would have him stay, he would even do her the pleasure. She then
made a shew of sending word to the inn that they should not expect
him at dinner. Much more talk followed; and then they sate down
to a supper of many courses splendidly served, which she cunningly
protracted until nightfall; nor, when they were risen from table, and
Andreuccio was about to take his departure, would she by any means
suffer it, saying, that Naples was no place to walk about in after
dark, least of all for a stranger, and that, as she had sent word to the
inn that they were not to expect him at supper, so she had done the
like in regard of his bed.
[035]
Believing what she said, and being (in his
false confidence) overjoyed to be with her, he stayed.
[036]
After supper
there was matter enough for talk both various and prolonged; and,
when the night was in a measure spent, she gave up her own chamber
to Andreuccio, leaving him with a small boy to shew him aught that
he might have need of, while she retired with her women to another
chamber.
