Then Nino came out.
"Now, then," said he, preparing for a tussle, "what is the matter, my dear maestro ?" but Ercole had expended most of his fury already.
"The matter!" he grumbled.

"The matter is that I have lost an excellent pupil through you.

Count Lira says he does not require my services any longer, and the man who brought the note says they are going away." "Diavolo!" said Nino, running his fingers through his curly black hair, "it is indeed serious.

Where are they going ?" "How should I know ?" asked De Pretis angrily.

"I care much more about losing the lesson than about where they are going.