"I don't want you to go away."
"I won't go then."
"Yes.
Go.
It's only for a little while and then you'll come back."
"We'll have dinner up here."
"Hurry and come back."
I found the Count Greffi in the billiard-room.
He was practising strokes, looking very fragile under the light that came down above the billiard table.
On a card table a little way beyond the light was a silver icing-bucket with the necks and corks of two champagne bottles showing above the ice.
The Count Greffi straightened up when I came toward the table and walked toward me.
He put out his hand,
"It is such a great pleasure that you are here.
You were very kind to come to play with me."
"It was very nice of you to ask me."
"Are you quite well?
They told me you were wounded on the Isonzo.
I hope you are well again."
"I'm very well.
Have you been well?"
"Oh, I am always well.
But I am getting old.
I detect signs of age now."
"I can't believe it."
"Yes.
Do you want to know one?
It is easier for me to talk Italian.
I discipline myself but I find when I am tired that it is so much easier to talk Italian.
So I know I must be getting old."
"We could talk Italian.
I am a little tired, too."
"Oh, but when you are tired it will be easier for you to talk English."
"American."
"Yes.
American.
You will please talk American.
It is a delightful language."
"I hardly ever see Americans."
"You must miss them.
One misses one's countrymen and especially one's countrywomen.
I know that experience.
Should we play or are you too tired?"
"I'm not really tired.
I said that for a joke.
What handicap will you give me?"
"Have you been playing very much?"
"None at all."
"You play very well.
Ten points in a hundred?"
"You flatter me."