Page:De Amicis - Heart, translation Hapgood, 1922.djvu/37

 “could buy a jacket as soon as he landed in Genoa, after having gone about clad in rags for two years; and he could also, by carrying it home, insure for himself from his father and mother a kinder greeting than would fall to his lot if he arrived with empty pockets. This money was a little fortune for him; and he was taking comfort out of the thought behind the curtain of his berth, while the three travelers chatted away, as they sat around the dining-table in the second-class salon.

“They were drinking and discussing their travels and the countries which they had seen; and from one topic to another they began to discuss Italy. One of them began to complain of the inns, another of the railways, and then, growing warmer, they all began to speak evil of everything. One would have preferred a trip in Lapland; another declared that he had found nothing but robbers and brigands in Italy; the third said that Italian officials do not know how to read.

“‘It's an ignorant nation,’ continued the first.

“‘A filthy nation,’ added the second.

“‘Rob—’ exclaimed the third, meaning to say ‘robbers’; but he was not allowed to finish the word: a tempest of small coin came down upon their heads and shoulders, fell over the table and the floor with a great clatter. All three sprang up in a rage, looked up, and received another handful of coppers in their faces.

“‘Take back your money!’ said the lad, disdainfully, thrusting his head between the curtains of his berth; ‘I do not accept alms from those who insult my country!’”