_Assunta._ Smile at! I could find in my heart to laugh outright, if I only were certain that nobody had seen your Reverence in such a funny trim. Riverenza! put on these. _Frate._ Not I indeed. _Assunta._ Allow me then? _Frate._ No, nor you. _Assunta._ Then let me stand upon yours, to push down the points. ... Frate Biagio now began to relent a little, when Assunta, who had made one step toward the project, bethought herself suddenly, and said: 'No; I might miss my footing. But, mercy upon us! what made you cramp your Reverence with those ox-yoke shoes? and strangle your Reverence with that hangdog collar?' 'If you must know,' answered the Frate, reddening, 'it was because I am making a visit to the Canonico of Parma. I should like to know something about him: perhaps you could tell me?' _Assunta._ Ever so much. _Frate._ I thought no less: indeed I knew it. Which goes to bed first? _Assunta._ Both together. _Frate._ Demonio! what dost mean? _Assunta._ He tells me never to sit up waiting, but to say my prayers and dream of the Virgin. _Frate._ As if it was any business of his! Does he put out his lamp himself? _Assunta._ To be sure he does: why should not he? what should he be afraid of? It is not winter: and beside, there is a mat upon the floor, all round the bed, excepting the top and bottom. _Frate._ I am quite convinced he never said anything to make you blush. Why are you silent? _Assunta._ I have a right. _Frate._ He did then? ay? Do not nod your head: that will never do. Discreet girls speak plainly. _Assunta._ What would you have? _Frate._ The truth; the truth; again, I say, the truth. _Assunta._ He _did_ then. _Frate._ I knew it! The most dangerous man living! _Assunta._ Ah! indeed he is! Signor Padrone said so. _Frate._ He knows him of old: he warned you, it seems. _Assunta._ Me! He never said it was I who was in danger. _Frate._ He might: it was his duty. _Assunta._ Am I so fat? Lord! you may feel every rib. Girls who run about as I do, slip away from apoplexy. _Frate._ Ho! ho! that is all, is it? _Assunta._ And bad enough too! that such good-natured men should ever grow so bulky; and stand in danger, as Padrone said they both do, of such a seizure? _Frate._ What? and art ready to cry about it? Old folks cannot die easier: and there are always plenty of younger to run quick enough for a confessor. But I must not trifle in this manner. It is my duty to set your feet in the right way: it is my bounden duty to report to Ser Giovanni all irregularities I know of, committed in his domicile. I could indeed, and would, remit a trifle, on hearing the worst. Tell me now, Assunta! tell me, you little angel! did you ... we all may, the very best of us may, and do ... sin, my sweet? _Assunta._ You may be sure I did not: for whenever I sin I run into church directly, although it snows or thunders: else I never could see again Padrone's face, or any one's. _Frate._ You do not come to me.