Aaron wrote to Novara, and asked if he should come to Italy, having no money to speak of.

"Come if you want to.

Bring your flute.

And if you've no money, put on a good suit of clothes and a big black hat, and play outside the best cafe in any Italian town, and you'll collect enough to get on with." It was a sporting chance.

Aaron packed his bag and got a passport, and wrote to Lilly to say he would join him, as invited, at Sir William Franks'.