He had scarcely heard what Corbario said, but the elder man's careless chatter had put him at his ease.
"Folco," he said quietly, "I want to ask you a question, and I want you to answer me seriously.

Will you ?" "As well as I can," answered Corbario, instantly changing his tone and growing earnest.
"Don't be surprised," Marcello said, half apologetically, as if he were already weakening.

"I shall never do anything without your advice.

Of course you know how I feel about all this, that I am leading a disorderly life, and--well, you understand!" "Perfectly, my dear boy.

I only wish to help you out of it as soon as possible, if you want to be helped.