aria called the family to supper, all but baby Enrico, who had been put to bed. Tommaso and his wife rarely talked at meals. Tonight Carmella also was silent, as she reflected on the glories of being a landowner’s daughter. The other children chattered among themselves in whatever language suited them.
Tommaso drank more of Maria’s good grape wine than usual, but otherwise showed no sign of mental unrest. Suddenly Carmella turned to him and asked:
“Who are the men tomorrow, dad? Who wants to buy your land?”
“Men that I have met,” he answered shortly. Then, turning to Maria, he explained:
“Mr. Hastings and Mr. Richmond, she means. These two want to buy land on which I have an option. Carmella goes with me tomorrow to talk to them.”
“An option you have? Is that land?” asked Maria.
Not often was she thus taken into her lord and master’s confidence, and she was elated.
“An option it is a chance to buy. I have made one
[40]
