TWO PROSTITUTES
439
come over here with a face like that on him. Isn't that so, Mr.? ...
What is your name, anyhow? Yesterday we didn't ask, and you see
what's happened. . .."
"My name is Giacomo," said the young man, half amused and
half put out by the girl's words. Then he added with an effort:
"Yes, I did come over with such a thought in mind, but I may
have been mistaken...."
"Oh no, you were not mistaken at all!" And she gave a hearty
laugh.
"And what's your name?"
"My name's Rina," the older woman interposed, "and my sister's
IS
Lori."
Her sister laughed again.
"Your name isn't Rina at all; it's Teresa. And mine
IS
not
Lori but Giovanna."
"I like Rina and Lori better, because they're short. That's enough
now, Lori. . . ."
"Can't anyone laugh?"
"It's all right to laugh, but you 're loud and vulgar."
"I'm nothing of the sort," said Lori, but she grew serious, as if
her sister's last remark had struck home.
"What's your last name?" Giacomo asked.
"Panigatti," said Rina, modestly lowering her eyes.
"There's a town in Sicily called Canicatti," said Giacomo, en-
joying her discomfiture.
"No, it's Panigatti, and we are not Sicilians...."
"Where do you come from?"
"We come from Verona," she answered, but her younger sister
winked and interposed:
"We really come from Meolo, but she doesn't like the sound
of that because it reminds her of a cat's meowing."
"Will you have something to drink?" Giacomo asked.
"Yes, champagne, champagne!" said the younger sister with
mock enthusiasm.
"I suggest we go to some other place. What do you say?" And
the older woman picked her gloves up from the table and began to
slip them on.
"What about your friend Meluschi?" asked Giacomo.
