Still the innumerable jokes this furnished, amply compensated for its
partial failure; the young barrister told them it was exactly like the
plum-broth served out at Christmas at St Cross's Hospital, one of the
most famous institutions in England, he asserted, for good cheer, and
incited every one by example as well as precept to do justice to Father
O'Grady's culinary achievements. Though he had already shown himself
emulous of a boa constrictor's capacity, he now sent his plate for a
second supply, compelling Padre Fiorenzo, as a tribute to friendship,
to do the same.

At the conclusion of the banquet, Fra Carmelo, the old cook of whom
we had heard so much, and who was declared to have acquitted himself
right manfully, was summoned to receive the thanks of the company. The
messenger found him playing the guitar, with which he was wont daily
to solace himself at the completion of his duties in the kitchen,
and triumphantly led him forward. In his brown Carmelite dress, he
certainly looked a most interesting cook. Though past eighty, his tall
spare figure was only slightly bowed; and there was a vivacity in his
light-blue eyes and ruddy complexion which led to the conclusion that
his alleged occasional shortcomings in his art were more the result of
inattention than incapacity.

On rising from table, the provincial offered to _fare due passi_,
a great distinction, which was of course accepted. Again the whole
party sallied forth, he and my uncle—who won golden opinions, though
suffering martyrdom throughout the day—leading the van. We went to see
two or three churches, and then, at Father O'Grady's suggestion, were
taken to a nunnery, which he knew would be a treat for us. All the
sisters crowded to the _parlatorio_ to see the strangers. It was not a
grating, as in the stricter orders, but simply a large aperture like a
wide unglazed window, at which they clustered, talking eagerly to the
monks, asking questions about the little world of Jesi, and gazing with
unrestrained and delighted curiosity upon us.

Amo