Arrived at the inn with her first installment of guests, Robin found Signor Baretti a most sympathetic listener to the report of the calamity which had overtaken the off-campus girls. Mindful of the fact that the nationality of the two warring garage proprietors was the same as Baretti’s she made her report a strictly impersonal one.
“This is no way for Mariani an’ Sabani to do. Verra bad,” was the little proprietor’s wrathful criticism of his countrymen. “I know these verra well. They are the Italianos. But they are not much good. They are too craza get the money. Each steal the business of the other. To get mad at the people; that is the verra bad business. The people don’t ride, Sabani an’ Mariani get no mona.”
“It was very bad business for us,” Robin assured him with a rueful smile. “I think now that we’ll be able to bring the girls to the inn almost on time. We can’t avoid being a little late.”
“You don’t speak of that. It is the all right,” protested Baretti.
“Thank you so much, Signor Baretti. But we _must not_ delay your Thanksgiving arrangements.” Robin made a movement as though about to depart.
“You listen one minute.” Up went one of the Italian’s hands for attention. “You don’t worry about nothin’, Miss Page. Your frien’s come pretty soon in the cars with the dorm girls. The dinner is a little late, I don’t care. These frien’s who have the cars take the dorm girls to town, to the campus, all the day when they need to go?”
“Yes, the same girls will help us if they haven’t any special engagements for the afternoon and evening. The dormitory girls are to see the basket ball game in the gym this afternoon. Then they have to go to town to get ready for a dance in the gym this evening. After the dance they must be taken back to town again. We don’t wish to disappoint them if we can help it.” A worried pucker appeared on Robin’s white forehead.
“I know what I do.” Baretti treated Robin to a brilliantly encouraging smile. She had never before seen him look so utterly genial. “You wait—you see.” He nodded at her mysteriously.
“You’ve done so much for us already,” she demurred, answering the smile with her own charming one.
“I do more,” he promised heartily. He trotted along at her side as she hurried to the door, repeatedly assuring her of his help.