And that is the truth, Excellency." "What a strange tale!" exclaimed the young girl.

"But to-day is Tuesday, Ruggiero.

Why do you say it is Saturday ?" "I beg pardon of your Excellency, it is a silly custom and means nothing.

But when a man says he is well, or that there is a west wind, or that his boat is sound, he says 'to-day is Saturday,' because it might be Friday and he might have forgotten that.

It is a silly custom, Excellency." "Do not call me excellency, Ruggiero," said Beatrice.