I did not catch what was going on at first, and was, therefore, extremely surprised at noticing George hurriedly smooth out his trousers, ruffle up his hair, and stick his cap on in a rakish manner at the back of his head, and then, assuming an expression of mingled affability and sadness, sit down in a graceful attitude, and try to hide his feet.
In principio non compresi ciò che accadeva, e fui, perciò, straordinariamente sorpreso nell’osservar che Giorgio si stirava in fretta i calzoni, si ravviava i capelli, e si metteva il berretto sulle ventitrè, e poi, assumendo una espressione di affabilità mista a tristezza, pigliava un atteggiamento grazioso, tentando di nascondere i piedi.