"But yes, thousands of times," said Assunta in a stage whisper.
"See, he comes. I thought it best to say that he would find the
Signorina in the garden. And the Signorina must pardon me for
the card: I dropped it into the tea-kettle and it is wet, quite
wet."

Assunta had time to note with astonishment before she left that
hostess and caller met as old friends, for the Signorina held out
her hand in greeting before a word of introduction had been said.

"I am told that your shepherd life is ended," remarked Daphne, as
she filled the cup just brought. Neither her surprise nor her
joy in his coming showed in her face.

"For the present, yes."

"You have won great devotion," said Daphne, smiling. "Only, they
all mistake you for a Christian saint."

"What does it matter?" said Apollo. "The feeling is the
same."

"Assunta knew you at once as one of those in her calendar," the
girl went on, "but she seems to recognize your supernatural
qualities only by lamplight. I am a little bit proud that I can
detect them by day as well."

Her gayety met no response from him, and there was a long pause.
To the girl it seemed that the enveloping sunshine of the garden