Carmella Commands
the King? What a country! If only people here spoke a real language! Like Italian, for example.
“Very well!” she said. “Va bene! You shall wear what you choose. Qualche giorno you shall know that your mother was right.”
As in a daze she helped Carmella dress in her school frock, with her Sunday shoes and stockings. She was beaten. But she believed that Carmella’s adventures of the day would vindicate her.
In the light of the forenoon’s program, it seemed foolish to have awakened Carmella early. There was nothing to do, after the dishes were washed and wiped, and the beds made. Carmella wandered outside, only to find Nicolo waiting for her.
“Say, kid! he said. “Let’s get going somewhere! What do you say to a movie?”
“What’s on?” asked Carmella.
“There’s a feature film at the Gaiety. We’ll catch the eleven o’clock show.”
“Nothing doing!” said Carmella. “I got to be back here by half-past twelve. Got a date.”
“A date! Who’s it with?” asked Nicolo, aggressively suspicious.
“Only just one of my high-hat friends,” said Carmella demurely.
“This Mrs. Real Estate?” demanded Nicolo.
“Maybe no and maybe yes, you can use your head and guess,” answered Carmella, using one of the formulas popular in her school just then.
[73]
