In a comment below, TSO, well, comments on Michael’s remark elsewhere of his experience of always being taken for…an American (or at least an English speaker) in Rome, even before he had ever opened his mouth. This had become somewhat of a running joke with him over the week, but I never really saw it in such stark relief as on the last Saturday we were there, and we were riding the train back from St. Paul St. Paul Outside the Walls. As I told you before, (really) traveling musicians, an adult male and two boys, hopped on board, set up shop, feverishly played, and then collected.

The little boy went around with his cup. "Grazie" he said to every one of the five or six people who gave to him.

To Michael: "Thank you."