bade him, collectedly. "I
am listening, and learning a lot."

As they passed under the great arch of the Roman Gate, Gerald was saying
modestly:

"I don't know anything about them, really. I've just been impressed by a
thing or two. This Lorenzetti, for instance--" And so on up the
_viale_ to the house.

In the drawing-room they found Mrs. Foss and Leslie, who, just home from
town, tired and thirsty, had had tea brought to them, and were
strengthening themselves before even taking off their hats.

Their welcome to Gerald was mingled with reproaches of the sort that
flatters more than it hurts.

"It's perfect ages since we saw you. We thought you had forgotten us.
What have you been doing this long, long time?"

"It is you, who are never at home, my dear friends," Gerald took his
turn. "I was here a fortnight or so ago. Didn't Lily tell you? Of course
she told you, and you have forgotten, so it's I, properly, who should be
calling names."

"Have you been quite well, Gerald?" Mrs. Foss asked in her maternal
voice, after a more careful look at him.

"Certainly."

"I am glad you have come. I have been on the point more than once of
sending for you, but the days fly so! We have been busy, too."

She had poured cups of tea for Gerald and Brenda. All four were seated
and refreshing themselves.

It was a very large room, but a corner had been so arranged as to look
shut in and cozy. There stood the tea-table convenient to the sofa and,
surrounding it, a few chosen chairs in which one could sink and lean
back and be comfortable.

"Have you had a tiring day?" Brenda asked her mother, somewhat as if she
were tired herself at the mere thought of such a day as she supposed her
mother to have had.

"No," Mrs. Foss answered briskly; "it's rather fun. I don't mean that
one doesn't get tired after a fashion. Has Brenda told you, Gerald, how
we have lately been occupied?"

"Some new people, I think she said."

"Yes, some nice, funny Americans."

"Funny, you say?"

"I say it fondly, Gerald. Let me tell you a little about them, and you
will see what I mean. They are going to spend the winter here and wanted
a house. What house do you think they selected?"

"You really mustn't set me riddles, Mrs. Foss."

"For years we have seen it every time we drive to the Cascine, and seen
it with a certain curiosity--always deserted, always with closed blinds,
in its way the most beautiful house in Florence."

"The most--I c