Carmella Commands
meant nothing at all. She had thought to say “Holy smoke!” but the literal translation did not correspond in idea. Tommaso was growing impatient with senseless exclamations.
“What is it that you say?” he demanded.
“Mio Dio! So I meant, father. But land in Greendale. Us?”
“Si!”
“What are you doing with land in Greendale, dad?”
“It is good land. They want to buy it. We have two lots, side by side, which they would buy.”
“How much are they worth?”
“I shall talk, and you shall only translate,” said Tommaso ponderously.
“Oh, all right! But do we get motored out, or do we have to take the street car?”
“They bring an auto here at ten o’clock. We go that way. Before that you shall go downtown and pay for the victrola.”
“I’ll do that, father. I’m glad we’re going to motor. And no flivver, I hope.”
She slid from the arm of the Morris chair, content with the interview. She was glad of the day, for it had brought her much knowledge.
It had taught her that Mrs. Barrington, whose husband owned real estate, could be worried by trifling matters. It had taught her that her own father also owned land. Not as much as Mr. Barrington, of
[38]
