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As they got into a taxi Mr. Nosby broke the silence.

“You’d better pack immediately,” he said. “We’re leaving by motor for Palermo right after dinner.”

“We can’t make it tonight,” objected Hallie.

“We’ll stop at Cosenza. That’s halfway.”

It was plain that he wanted to bring the trip to an end at the first possible moment. After dinner he asked Corcoran to come to the hotel garage with him while he engaged an automobile for the trip, and Corcoran understood that this was because Hallie and he were not to be left together. Nosby, in an ill humor, insisted that the garage price was too high; finally he walked out and up to a dilapidated taxi in the street. The taxi agreed to make the trip to Palermo for twenty-five dollars.

“I don’t believe this old thing will make the grade,” ventured Corcoran. “Don’t you think it would be wiser to pay the difference and take the other car?”

Nosby stared at him, his anger just under the surface.

“We’re not all like you,” he said dryly. “We can’t all afford to throw it away.”