"We have produced here six popes.

It is the fame of Bologna." "You seem to think a great deal of producing popes in Italy," momma replied coldly.

"I should consider it a terrible responsibility." "Now do you suppose," said poppa confidentially, "that the idea of trichinosis had anything to do with slackening the demand ?" Mr.Bellini threw his head back, and passionately replaced a section of biscuit and cheese in the middle of his plate.
"I know nossing, any more than you! Why you speak me always that Bologna sausage! _Pazienza!_ What is it that sausage to make the agreeable conversation!" "Sir," exclaimed the Senator with astonishment and equal heat, "you don't seem to be aware of it, but at one time the Bologna sausage ruled the world!" Mr.Bellini, however, could evidently not trust himself to discuss the matter further.

He rose precipitately with an outraged, impersonal bow, and left the table, abandoning his biscuit and cheese, his half finished bottle of Rudesheimer and the figs that were to follow, with the indifference of a lofty nature.
"I'm sorry I spoiled his dinner," said poppa with concern, "but if a Bologna man can't talk about Bologna sausages, what can he talk about ?" It made the Senator reticent, though, as to sausages of any kind, with the other commercial traveller--the hotel was full of them, and we found it very entertaining after the barren dining rooms of southern Italy--with whom we breakfasted.

He spoke to this one exclusively about the architectural and historic features of the city, in a manner which forbade any approach to gastronomic themes, and while the second commercial traveller regarded him with great respect, it must be confessed that the conversation languished.