"I suppose you would tell me that you will make advantages for yourself which you will abuse against me?
What do you mean ?" "I do not mean that.

I mean only that I may not wish to give lessons to the contessina much longer." By this time the baroness had recovered her equanimity; and as she would have been sorry to lose Nino, who was a source of infinite pleasure and amusement to her, she decided to pacify him instead of teasing him any more.
"Is it not very foolish for us to quarrel about your curly hair ?" said she.

"We have been such good friends always." It might have been three weeks, her "always." "I think it is," answered Nino, gravely.

"But do not stroke my hair again, Signora Baronessa, or I shall be angry." He was quite serious, if you believe it, though he was only twenty.

He forthwith sat down to the piano again and sang on.