There followed no ill result
that I know of, but the paper packet lay thenceforth untouched, and,
on leaving, I made a present of it to my landlady.
To complete the domestic group, I must make mention of the
"chambermaid." This was a lively little fellow of about twelve years
old, son of the landlady, who gave me much amusement. I don't know
whether he performed chambermaid duty in all the rooms; probably the
fierce-eyed cook did the heavier work elsewhere, but upon me his
attendance was constant. At an uncertain hour of the evening he
entered (of course, without knocking), doffed his cap in salutation,
and began by asking how I found myself. The question could not have
been more deliberately and thoughtfully put by the Doctor himself.
When I replied that I was better, the little man expressed his
satisfaction, and went on to make a few remarks about the pessimo
_tempo_. Finally, with a gesture of politeness, he inquired whether
I would permit him "_di fare un po' di pulizia_"--to clean up a
little, and this he proceeded to do with much briskness.
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