On the last occasion when the Count had called she had managed to find half a dozen eggs.

This time she said she would go to see, but could promise nothing, for the hens laid here and there all over the place, and she could never tell what eggs there might be.
"All right!" Prada answered, "go and look; and meantime we will have a _caraffa_ of white wine." The three men entered the common room, which was already quite dark.
Although the hot weather was now over, one heard the buzzing of innumerable flies immediately one reached the threshold, and a pungent odour of acidulous wine and rancid oil caught one at the throat.

As soon as their eyes became accustomed to the dimness they were able to distinguish the spacious, blackened, malodorous chamber, whose only furniture consisted of some roughly made tables and benches.

It seemed to be quite empty, so complete was the silence, apart from the buzz of the flies.

However, two men were seated there, two wayfarers who remained mute and motionless before their untouched, brimming glasses.