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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad"

Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad

I hate to

trouble you; but we'd like to know."

The man waved an arm upward, and following the motion with their eyes

they saw a line of precipitous cliffs that seemed impossible to scale.

"Do you desire to go to the Grand Hotel Castello-a-Mare?" enquired the

driver, politely.

"Is it in Taormina?"

"Most certainly, signore."

"And you will take us?"

"With pleasure, signore."

"Oh; I didn't know. I supposed you were going to sleep again."

The man looked at him reproachfully.

"It is my business, signore. I am very attentive to my duties. If you

permit me to drive you to our splendide--our magnifico hotel--you will

confer a favor."

"How about the baggage?"

"The trunks, signor, we will send for later. There is really no hurry

about them. The small baggage will accompany us. You will remark how

excellent is my English. I am Frascatti Vietri; perhaps you have heard

of me in America?"

"If I have it has escaped my memory," said Uncle John, gravely.

"Have you been to America?" asked Beth.

"Surely, signorina. I lived in Chicago, which, as you are aware, is

America. My uncle had a fruit shop in South Water, a via which is

Chicago. Is it not so? You will find few in Taormina who can the English

speak, and none at all who can so perfectly speak it as Frascatti

Vietri."

"You are wonderful," said Patsy, delighted with him. But Uncle John

grew impatient to be off.

"I hate to interrupt you, Mr. Vietri," he hinted; "but if you can spare

the time we may as well make a start."

The driver consented. He gracefully swung the suit-cases and travelling

bags to the top of the vehicle and held the door open while his fares

entered. Then he mounted to his seat, took the reins, and spoke to the

horses. Some of the other drivers nodded at him cheerfully, but more as

if they were sorry he must exert himself than with any resentment at his

success in getting the only tourists who had alighted from the train.

As they moved away Uncle John said: "Observe the difference between the

cab-drivers here and those at home.

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