Pagina 169 di 1118

Whilst Renzo was exchanging salutations with the family, Tony

poured out the pudding on the pewter trencher prepared for its

reception, and it appeared like a little moon within a large

circumference of vapour. Nevertheless, the wife of Tony said

courteously to Renzo, "Will you be helped to something?" This was

a compliment that the peasants of Lombardy, however poor, paid to

those who were, from any accident, present at their meals.