The humour of Italy; . tro Peppe de Sieri has summonedyou here. . A movement of astonishment at this strange preamblepassed round the circle, and the joy at the promised winegave place to uneasy expectations of various kinds. Theorator continued— But, as something disagreeable might happen, and youmight afterwards complain of me, I will tell you what it isall about before we make the experiment. The listeners looked into one anothers eyes with a MASTRO PEPPES MAGIC. I65 bewildered air, and then cast curious and uncertain glancesat the little box which the orator held in his hand. One ofthem, a
The humour of Italy; . tro Peppe de Sieri has summonedyou here. . A movement of astonishment at this strange preamblepassed round the circle, and the joy at the promised winegave place to uneasy expectations of various kinds. Theorator continued— But, as something disagreeable might happen, and youmight afterwards complain of me, I will tell you what it isall about before we make the experiment. The listeners looked into one anothers eyes with a MASTRO PEPPES MAGIC. I65 bewildered air, and then cast curious and uncertain glancesat the little box which the orator held in his hand. One ofthem, as Ristabilito paused to consider the effect of hiswords, exclaimed impatiently— Well? Presently, presently, neighbours. Last night there wasstolen from Mastro Peppe a fine pig which was going to besalted down. No one knows who the thief is; but it isquite certain that he will be found among you, because noone would come from India to steal Mastro Peppes pig. Whether it was a happy effect of the strange argument. from India, or the action of the mild winter sun, La Bravetta began to sneeze. The rustics took a step backward, the whole flock of geese scattered in terror, and seven consecutive sneezes resounded freely in the air, disturbing the rural stillness of the spot. The noise restored some cheerfulness to the minds of the assembly, who in a little while regained their composure, and Ristabilito continued as gravely as ever— To find out the thief Mastro Peppe intends to give youto eat of certain good confetti, and to drink of a certain oldMontepulciano, which he has tapped to-day on purpose. 166 ITALIAN HUMOUR. But I must tell you one thing first. The thief, as soon ashe puts the sweets into his mouth, will find them bitter—sobitter that he will be forced to spit them out. Now, are youwilling to try ? Or perhaps the thief, rather than be foundout in this way, would like to go and confess himself to thepriest? Answer, neighbours. We are willing to eat and drink, replie
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