human
I called at this early hour, tesoro mio, said Ludovico,
gpt
Oh, I shan't be a bit afraid. I am so accustomed to work all by myself.
human
No, there is nothing to be afraid of! Do you think I should let you go there alone, if there were? You will find the scaffolding all ready for you.
gpt
Thanks, dearest, I am so much obliged to you; I should never have been able to get my task done without your help. Ah, how strange things are! To think, that that Englishman, in sending me here, should have been--
human
Should have been sending me my destined wife. Who ever in the world did me so great a service as this Signor Vilobe, who never had a thought of me in his mind.
gpt
And if I had chanced not to be in the gallery at the Belle Arti that day,
human
You will have the great church entirely to yourself, anima mia, said Ludovico;
gpt
Oh, I don't mind that much! What is more important, is to get the job done before the hot weather comes on. They say it is so unhealthy out there, when the heat comes. What is the old frate like?
human
He is a very old, old man, and he looks as if fever and ague every summer and autumn had pretty nearly made an end of him. He seemed quite inclined to be civil and obliging. If he were not, you could knock him down with a tap of your maulstick, I should think, though it be wielded by such a tiny, dainty little bit of a hand, said Ludovico, lifting it to his lips between both his as he spoke.
gpt
And now tell me, he continued;
human
Superbly,--certainly the finest singing I heard. But--
gpt
What is the 'but,' anima mia? I confess I thought it perfect.