Page:Undset - Jenny (1921).djvu/19

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JENNY
17

you be kind enough to tell me where to find a car? My name is Gram," he added, raising his hat again.

"Where do you live?" asked the taller girl.

"At a place called the Albergo Torino, close to the station," he explained.

"He should take the Trastevere tram at San Carlo ai Catenari," said the other.

"No; better take a No. 1 at the new Corso."

"But those cars don't go to the Termini," answered the little one.

"Yes, they do. Those that have San Pietro, stazione Termini, written on them," she explained to Helge.

"Oh, that one! It runs past Capo le Case and Ludovisi and an awful long way about first—it will take an hour at least to the station with that one."

"No, dear; it goes direct—straight along Via Nazionale."

"It does not," insisted the other; "it goes to the Lateran first."

The taller girl turned to Helge: "The first turning right will take you into a sort of market. From there you go along the Cancellaria on your left to the new Corso. If I remember rightly, the tram stops at the Cancellaria—somewhere near it anyway—you will see the sign. But be sure to take the tram marked San Pietro, stazione Termini, No. 1."

Helge stood somewhat crestfallen, listening to the foreign names which the girls used with such easy familiarity, and, shaking his head, said: "I am afraid I shall never be able to find it—perhaps I had better walk till I find a cab."

"We might go with you to the stop," said the tall one.

The little one whispered peevishly something in Italian, but the other answered her decisively. Helge felt still more confused at these asides, which he did not understand.