 10. Of After the Divorce by Grazia de Leda translated by Maria Horner Lansdale This LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Tom Denham The next morning just as on that day so long before Giovanna was the first to stir while Aunt Paquicia who like most elderly people usually lay awake until late into the night still slept though lightly and with labored breath the light of the early winter morning cold but clear shone through the curtain window panes Giovanna had fallen asleep the night before feeling sad though Aunt Pareda's outbreak had annoyed rather than distressed her but now as she looked out and saw the promise of a bright day for the journey she felt a sensation of joyous anticipation Yes she had felt quite melancholy on the previous evening before falling asleep thinking of Constantino and Eternity and her dead child and all sorts of depressing things I have not had a bad heart she had reflected and God looks into our hearts and judges more by our intentions than by our actions I have considered everything everything I was very fond of Constantino and I cried just as long as I had any tears to shed Now I have no more I don't believe he will ever come back and if he does it will not be until we are both old I can't go on crying forever why should it be my fault if I can't cry now when I think of him and then after all I am just a creature of flesh and blood like everyone else I am poor and exposed to sin and temptation and in order to save myself from these I am taking the position which God has provided for me Yes my dear Aunt Pareda I do remember eternity and it is to save my soul that I am doing what I am doing No I am not bad I have not a bad heart And so she very nearly persuaded herself that her heart not only was not bad but that it was quite good and noble at least if this was not the conviction of that innermost depth of conscience that depth which refused to lie and from whence had issued the disturbing veil of sadness that hung over her it was of her outer and more practical mind and at last quite comforted she fell asleep and now the frosty daybreak was striking with its diaphanous wings cold and pure as whore frost against the window panes of the strangers room and Giovanna thought of the sun and her spirits rose the older woman presently awoke as well and she too turned at once to the window ah she exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction it is going to be fine they dressed and went down Aunt Pareda polite and attentive as usual was already in the kitchen she served her guests with coffee and helped them to saddle the horse to all appearances she had quite forgotten the discussion of the previous evening but no sooner had the two women passed out the door than she made the sign of the cross as though to exorcise the mortal sin as well very good she said to herself closing the door after them a pleasant journey to you and may the lord of mercy on your souls through the crystalline stillness of the morning came the sound of shrill cock growing close at hand further away and further still but the little town still slept beneath its canopy of china blue this time the eras were to make the journey alone they had to descend into the valley, cross it then climb the mountain range which they could see beyond showing grey in the early light its snow-capped peaks standing out boldly against the horizon it was very cold there was no wind but the air cut keenly as they descended into the wild valley the intense stillness seemed only to be intensified by the monotonous murmur of a mountain stream the short winter grass bright green in colour and shining with hawfrost showed here and there in vivid patches along the edges of the winding path from the rocks came a smell of damp moss and the green copses sparkled with a glittering layer of frost the whole valley was radiantly fresh and sweet and wild but here and there gnarled outlines of solitary trees stood out like hermits penitentially exposing their bent and naked forms to the cold brilliance of the winter's morning in the fields the earth showed black and damp and long lines of dilapidated wall climbing the hillsides and descending into the hollows looked with their coating of green moss like huge green worms on and on and on journeyed the two women their hands and feet and faces numb and stiff with cold they crossed the stream at a ford where the water ran broad and shallow and quiet then they re-ascended the valley and began to climb the mountain at its further end the sun now well above the horizon was shining with a cold clear radiance and the mountains of the distant coast range blew against the gold of the sky the wind had risen as well and laden with the odour of damp rocks and earth was stirring among the shrubs and bushes the two women proceeded silently on their way each buried in her own thoughts in the middle of a small defile overhung by rocks and shadowed by the lofty snow-capped summits of the mountains they met a man of bity journeying on foot the travellers exchanged greetings although unknown to one another and passed on their respective ways as the women mounted higher and higher the sun enveloped and warmed them more and more and they thought of the half of the journey already accomplished of the purchases they were carrying back in the wallet of what they would do when they got home and Aunt Bakysia thought of Aunt Martina's amazement when she should see Giovanna's outfit while Giovanna thought of Bronto and of the queer things he would sometimes say when he was drunk preoccupied as they were however when they caught sight of the white walls of the church of San Francisco glistening among the green bushes halfway up the mountainside each thought of Constantino and said an ave Maria for him shortly after midday they reached home Ole set in its circle of damp fields and blown upon by the frozen breath of the mighty Sphinxers whose heads were now reathed in bounds of snow was far colder than Duoro and the sun could barely warm life into the scanty herbage in its narrow melancholy streets the roofs were covered with rust and mildew some of them overgrown with dog grass the walls were black with damp the trees nude and brown here and there a thin line of smoke could be seen curling upwards into the limitless space above but as usual the village appeared to be utterly silent and deserted in the crevices of the walls the little purple and green cups of the venus's looking glass bloomed chillily speckled lizards crawled into the sun and snails and shining beetles mounted patiently from stone to stone Aunt Martina seated on her portico spinning in the sun saw the arrival of the travellers and was instantly devoured by curiosity to know what they had in their wallet she controlled herself however and returned their greeting with courteous composure towards evening Bronto arrived he visited his betrothed every three days and this evening his mother decided to accompany him in order to see the purchases made by her neighbours in Duoro a sparse little fire of juniper wood was burning on Aunt Paquicia's hearth throwing out fitful gleams of light across the paved flooring and lighting up the earthen walls of the kitchen with a faint rosy glow Giovanna wanted to bring a candle but the visitors prevented her Aunt Martina from an instinct of economy and Bronto because in the dim firelight he felt freer to gaze at his betrothed the attitude of the latter towards her future mother-in-law and towards Bronto himself was quite perfect she had a gentle subdued manner and spoke in childlike tones albeit expressing sentiments of profound wisdom she gave shy glances from beneath her long thick lashes and might have been a girl of fifteen so guileless and innocent was her bearing she was not in truth consciously acting apart what she did was purely instinctive Bronto was madly in love with her and now when he had been drinking he would run to her and throwing himself on his knees repeat certain purile prayers learned in infancy then he would begin to cry because he realised that he was tipsy and would swear that never, never again would he touch a drop this evening however he was entirely himself and sat talking quietly and folding Giovanna all the while in a passionate gaze and smiling and displaying his teeth which gleamed in the firelight Aunt Parquicia began to tell about their trip she spoke of the great coat worn by the young lawyer and of the wings in fashion among the new orese ladies then she described the poor whose kitchen and told of their meeting a man on the road but of the discussion started by Aunt Poredda at the supper table and of the purchases she and Giovanna had made she said never a word she knew however very well that Aunt Martina could hardly wait to see the new possessions she herself no less anxious to display them and what have you to say about it all Giovanna said Brontoo stirring the fire with the end of his stick you are very quiet tonight what is the matter I am tired she replied and then suddenly asked about Jacoby Dijath that crazy man he torments the life out of me I shall end some day by kicking him out he does not need to work now for a living anyhow I don't know how it is said Aunt Parquicia he used to be such a cheerful soul and now when he has a house and cattle and they even say he is going to be married his temper is something you knew didn't you that he threatened to beat us did he ever come back no never since that time nor is it Oropane either said Giovanna in a dull voice I thought I saw him go by here yesterday evening said Aunt Martina Giovanna raised her head quickly but she did not speak and Brontoo laughingly remarked that he suppose she did not stand in any particular need of leeches just at present well said Aunt Martina at length didn't you bring me anything from Duoro you keep one a long time in suspense they had in fact brought her an apron but Aunt Parquicia feined surprise and mortification of course said she we had forgotten for the moment and she gave a shrill laugh but sobered down instantly on observing the Giovanna took no part in these pleasantries seemed unable to shake off her melancholy no no we never thought about it but Giovanna will show you a few trifles that we bought Giovanna got up lighted a candle and went into the adjoining room Brontoo's ardent gaze following her and Martina started waiting for her present several moments passed and Giovanna did not return what is she doing in there? asked Brontoo who knows another minute elapsed I am going to see he said jumping up and walking towards the door no no what are you thinking of said Aunt Parquicia but so faint heartedly that Aunt Martina scandalised call to her son to come back with energetic Brontoo however paying no attention tiptoed to the door Giovanna was standing before an open drawer rereading a letter which she had found slipped underneath the door when they got home that day it was a heartbroken appeal from Constantino in his round unformed characters he implored her for the last time not to do this thing that she was about to do he reminded her of the far away time of their early love he promised to come back he assured her solemnly of his innocence if you have no pity for me the letter concluded at least have some for yourself for your own soul remember the mortal sin remember eternity ah the same words that Aunt Pereda had used the very same the very same Uncle Isidoro must have slipped the letter in while they were away how long had it been since they had had any direct news of the prisoner the tears rushed to her eyes but what moved her were probably more the memories of the past than any thoughts of that eternal future suddenly she heard the door being pushed softly open and someone stealing in behind her leaning quickly over she began to rummage in the drawer with trembling hands and misty eyes Bronto stood directly behind her with outstretched arms he clasped her around the shoulders and she pretending to be frightened began to tremble what is it? what are you doing? he asked in a low broken voice oh I am looking looking the apron we got for your mother I don't know what I've done with it let me go, let me go she said trying to free herself from his embrace close to her face she saw his white teeth gleaming between the full smiling lips as red and lustrous as two ripe cherries then suddenly she felt his hand behind her head and those two burning lips were pressed close to her own in a kiss that was like the blast from a fiery furnace ah! she panted we have forgotten eternity a little later she was seated once more in her place by the fire laughing with all the abandonment of a happy child while Bronto regarded her with the same look in his eyes that he had when he had been drinking the winter passed by Constantino's friends never abandoned their efforts to break off the accursed march but in vain the Dejasas and Eras were like people bewitched and remained deaf alike to prayers, threats and innuendos the syndic, even the syndic a pale and haughty personage who resembled Napoleon I was against this devil's marriage and when Bronto and Giovanna came to him in great secrecy to have it published he treated them with the utmost contempt spitting on the ground all the time they were there when the question of the divorce had first been mooted people talked and wondered but nothing more then when it was said that Bronto and Giovanna were in love with each other there was general disapproval yet at bottom the community was not ill-pleased to have such a fruitful theme to gossip about but when there was talk of a marriage then everyone said it was simply and purely an impossibility the neighbours laughed and rather hoped that Bronto was amusing himself at the expense of the Eras after that had the young people merely lived together in mortal sin probably nothing more would have been said and people would have ceased to laugh and thought no more about it it would not have been the first time that such a thing had occurred nor was it likely to be the last and Giovanna could cite her youth and poverty by way of excuse marry a woman who had already had a husband marry her? that was a thing not to be stood what would you have? people are made that way and then the disgrace and scandal of it why it was a sin, a horrible sin and it was feared that God might punish the entire community for the fault of these two there were even threats of making a demonstration on the marriage day on throwing and beating the bride and bridegroom when rumours of these things reached their ears Bronto became very angry Aunt Paquicia said leave them to me and Aunt Martina threw up her head with the movement of a warhorse when it sensed the smell of the first volley ah, she would rather like to fight and win she was beginning to feel old she was tired of work and well pleased at the prospect of having a strong servant in the house without wages moreover she liked Giovanna and Bronto wanted her and so people might burst with envy if they chose on the evening of the day when the marriage was published Uncle Isidoro Panne was working hard in his miserable hut by the brilliant, ruddy light of a large fire this was the one luxury which Uncle Isidoro was able to allow himself a good fire since he collected his wood from the fields, the river banks and the forests during the winter his chief occupation was weaving cord out of horsehair he knew in fact how to do a little of almost everything spin, sew, cook when there was anything to cook patch shoes and yet he had never been able to escape from dire poverty suddenly the door was thrown open there was a momentary glimpse of the March sky not stormy but overcast and Jacoby de Jas silently seated himself beside the fire the fisherman's kitchen looked like one of those pictures of Flemish interiors where the figures are thrown out in a ruddy glow against a dark background by the uncertain light a grey spider web could be dimly discerned with the spider in the middle in the corner near the hearth a glass jug filled to the brim with water in which black leeches swam about a yellow basket against the wall and finally the figures of the two men and the black hair cord its loose ends held between the bony red fingers of the old fisherman and how goes it now? asked Jacoby how goes it now? how goes it now? repeated the old man I don't know well its been published said Jacoby more as though he were talking to himself the thing is actually done the drunkard never even came near the pastures today so I just took myself off as well they may steal as sheep if they want to I don't care what I am and something has got to be done is a door of panne hi is a door of panne leave that cord alone and listen to me something has got to be done do you hear me? yes I hear you but what is there to do we have all done what we can implored, expostulated, threatened the syndic has interfered, the clark priest Elias what did he do? talked to them with sugar in his mouth he should have threatened them he should have said I'll take the holy books and I'll curse you I'll excommunicate you you shall never be able to satisfy your hunger not to quench your thirst, not have any peace you shall live in a hell upon earth and then you would have seen some result but no, he is a dunce a warm milk priest and he has not done his duty don't speak of him to me it makes me angry is a doro laid down the cord it's of no use to get angry said he, priest Elias has no business with threats and he has not used them but never fear excommunication will fall on that house all the same well I am going to leave them yes I am going away I'll eat no more of there a cursed bread said Jacobi with a look expressive of his loathing and disgust but before going I should like to have the pleasure of administering a sound thrashing to those favourites of the devil your crazy little spring bird said Isidoro with a melancholy smile imitating Jacobi yes I am I'm crazy but even so what do you care anything I let us stop this sacrilege oh it's disgraceful I've lost all my good spirits it has made me ten years older all my good spirits and I keep thinking all the time of what Constantino will say to us for not being able to put a stop to it is it true that he is ill not now he was ill but now he is only desperate said uncle Isidoro shaking his head then he picked up the cord and began platting it again murmuring below his breath excommunicate excommunicate I get so furious that I foam at the mouth the way a dog does said Jacobi raising his voice just exactly like a dog no after all I don't think I'll quit that house I'll stay there if I burst and see them when the blast of excommunication strikes them yes if there is one thing that is sure it is that God punishes both in this life and the other two and I want to be on hand when it comes what is it that you are making Uncle Isidoro a horsehair cord there was a short silence Jacobi sat staring at the cord his eyes dim with grief and anger his eyes dim with grief and anger his eyes dim with grief and anger his eyes dim with grief and anger what are you going to do with it when it is done sell it over in Nuoro I sell them here too sometimes the peasants use them to tie their cows what makes you look at it like that you are not thinking of hanging yourself are you no little spring bird you can do that for yourself if it is God's will yes he continued again raising his voice they have actually published the notice another silence then Isidoro said who knows I can't help hoping yet that that marriage may never come off I have faith in God and I believe that San Constantino may still perform some miracle to stop it why certainly why not a miracle by all means to be scornfully yes why not replied Isidoro calmly the real murder of Basilio Leda might die now for instance and confess in that case the divorce could not hold good of course died just at this precise time said the other in the same tone as before you were as innocent as a three year old child Isidoro with your Christian faith well who knows or he might be found out why to be sure he might be found out just in the nick of time only what has anyone ever known about it and who is to find him out who why you I anyone there you go again just like a three year old child or rather a snail before it's out of the shell and how pray are we to find him out are we even certain that Constantino did not do it himself yes we are certain entirely so said Isidoro it might have been any one of us but never him I might have done it or you Jacob he got up well suggest to do if there is anything to be done tell me anyone but him repeated Isidoro without raising his head yes there is one thing to do commit ourselves into the hands of God oh you make me so angry cried the other stamping about the forlorn little room like an imprisoned bull I ask if there are any steps to be taken in you answer like a fool I'll go and choke bachisia era that will be really something to do and he marched off as he had come without greeting or salutation of any kind angry this time in earnest uncle Isidoro likewise did not so much as raise his head but noticing presently that his visitor left the door open he got up to close it and stood for some moments looking out it was a mild march night moonlit but overcast already one got faint damp whiffs suggestive of the first stirrings of vegetation all about the old man's hovel the hedges and wild shrubs seem to lie sleeping in the faint mysterious light of the veiled moon far away just above the horizon a streak of clear sky wound and zigzagged its way among the vaporous clouds like a deep blue river on whose banks a fire burned Isidoro shot the door and with a heavy sigh resumed his work end of chapter 10 recording by Tom Denham chapter 11 of After the Divorce by Grazia de Leda translated by Maria Horner Lansdale recording by Tom Denham it was the vigil of the assumption a hot cloudy Wednesday and Martina sat on the portico spinning while Giovanna who was pregnant sifted grain nearby usually two women perform this task but Giovanna was doing it alone first she stirred the grain around in the sieve and extracted all bits of stone then she sifted it carefully into a piece of cloth placed in a large basket that stood before her she was seated on the ground and beside her was another basket heaped with grain that looked as though piled with gold dust instead of growing fat the wife with two husbands as she was called in the neighbourhood had become much thinner her nose was red and somewhat puffed there were dark circles around her eyes and her lower lip was drawn down with an expression of discontent some disheveled looking roosters which now and again fell to fighting and stood the floor with feathers were laying siege to the basket from time to time one of them would succeed in thrusting his bill inside then Giovanna with loud cries and threats would drive him off but only to stand watchful and alert ready to return to the charge the moment her attention wandered her attention wandered frequently her expression was sad or rather indifferent that of a self-centred person dwelling continually on her individual walls the skies might fall but she would consider only how the event might be expected to affect her personally she was barefoot and quite dirty as Aunt Martina hated to have her soap used the two women worked on in silence but the older one watched her companion out of the corner of her eye and whenever she was slack about driving off the chickens she screamed at them herself at length one bolder than the rest jumped on the edge of the basket and began greedily pecking within shrieked Aunt Martina Giovanna turned with a sudden movement and the rooster spreading its wings flew off leaving a trail of yellow grains behind it which in dread lest her mother-in-law should scold her she was always in dread of that she hastily began to gather up what a nuisance they are she exclaimed peevishly ah I should say they were but downright nuisance said the other mildly no don't lean over like that my daughter you'll hurt yourself let me do it and leaving her spindle she stooped down and picked up the grains one at a time while a hen seized the opportunity to pull at the bunch of fflacks on her distaf ah are you a wing you neck for you shrieked Aunt Martina suddenly turning and aspiring it and as she drove it off the others all instantly fell to gobbling up the grain the younger woman went on with her task bending over the sieve silent and abstracted from the portico could be seen the deserted common Aunt Bakysia's bare little cottage in the sultry noontide glare a burning stretch of road yellow deserted fields and a horizon like metal the clouds banked high one upon another seemed to rain heat and the stillness was almost oppressive the tall barefooted boy passed by leading a couple of small black cows then came a young woman likewise barefoot who stared at Giovanna with two round eyes then a fat white dog with its nose to the ground but that was all no other incident broke the monotony of the sultry noontide Giovanna sifted and stirred evermore and more languidly she was weary she was hungry but not for food she was thirsty but not for drink through her whole physical nature she was conscious of a need of something hopelessly lost her task finished she leaned over and began pouring the grain back from one basket to another let it be, let it be said Aunt Martina solicitously you will do yourself some harm Giovanna starting presently to carry the grain to the mill a grindstone turned by a small donkey which grinds a hundred litres of grain in four days her mother-in-law prevented her and took it herself left alone Giovanna went into the kitchen looked cautiously around and then began to search through the cupboards nothing anywhere not a piece of fruit, no wine not so much as a drop of liquor wherewith to quench the intolerable thirst that tormented her she did at last find a little coffee which she heated and sweetened with a bit of sugar from her pocket carefully recovering the fire when she had done the mouthful of warm liquid seemed, however, the rather to augment her thirst Giovanna felt that what she wanted was some soft, delicious drink something that she had never tasted in all her life and never would a dull anger took possession of her and her eyes grew bitter walking over to the door of the storeroom she shook it although knowing perfectly well that it was locked her lips grew white and she murmured a curse below her breath then barefoot as she was she went out and noiselessly crossed the common and called her mother come in answered the latter from the kitchen I can't, there's no one in the house Aunt Bacchysia came and stood in the doorway glancing up at the sky she remarked that it looked threatening and that there would probably be a storm that night well I don't care said Giovanna sullenly it may rain every bolt out of heaven then she added more gently but may that which I bear be saved from harm upon my soul you are in a bad humour what has become of the old witch I saw you sifting grain she has taken it to the mill she was afraid to let me go for fear I might steal some patience my daughter it will not always be like this but it is like this and like this and I can't stand it any longer what sort of a life is it she has honey on her lips and a gold in her hand work work work she drives me like a beast of burden and gives me barley bread and water and no light at night and bare feet oh as much of all that as I ever want Aunt Bacchysia listened unable to offer any consolation she was indeed accustomed to hear these planes poured into her ears daily oh Aunt Bacchysia had been fooled as well and had to work harder than ever before though for that she cared little it was Giovanna's really wretched condition that gave her the most concern patience patience better times are coming no one can rob you of the future bam what does that amount to I shall be an old woman by that time if I haven't died already of rage what good will it do to be well off when you're old you can't enjoy anything then yes you can upon my soul said the other her green eyes gleaming like a couple of fireflies I could enjoy a great many things well enough hey hey to have nothing to do all day and roast me to eat and soft bread and trout and eels and to drink white wine and the roselies and chocolate stop cry Giovanna with a groan and she told how she had been unable to find anything wherewith to quench her burning thirst you must have patience repeated the mother that comes from your condition if you had the most delicious things in the world to choose from lickers from the king's own table you would still be thirsty Giovanna kept gazing up at the house with the portico her eyes weary and hopeless and her mouth drawn down sullenly yes we will have rain tonight said the other again it can rain as much as it wants to is Bronto coming home? yes he is and I'm going to tell him about everything tonight yes I shall speak to him about it this very night my soul you are and what is it that you're going to speak to him about? why I am going to tell him that I can't stand it any longer and if he only wanted me so as to have a servant and nothing else he will find that he has made a mistake and and you will tell him nothing of the sort said the old woman energetically let him alone doesn't he have to work and live like a servant himself what is the use of bothering him he might send you packing and marry someone else in church Giovanna began to tremble violently her expression softened and her eyes filled he's not bad she said but he gets tipsy all the time and smells as strong of brandy as a still it makes me sick sometimes then he gets so angry about nothing at all ugh he's unbearable it was better it was far far better well demanded what was better nothing this was the kind of thing that went on all the time Giovanna did nothing but brood over memories of Constantino how good he had been how handsome and clean and gentle a deep melancholy possessed her far more bitter than any sorrow one feels for the dead while her approaching maternity instead of bringing consolation the rather increased her despair the afternoon war on grey and leaden not a breath of air relieved the suffocating stillness Giovanna established herself on the tumble down wall beneath the almond tree and her mother came and sat beside her for a while neither of them spoke then Giovanna said as though continuing a conversation that had been interrupted yes it is just the way it used to be at first after the sentence I dream every night that he has come back and it is curious but you know I am never frightened though Jacoby de Jas declares that if Constantino ever did come back he would kill me I don't know but I somehow feel in my heart that he is coming back I never used to think so but I do now oh there is no use in looking at me like that am I reproaching you for anything I should say not you would have had a better right to reproach me what good has it all done you none at all you can't even come to see me anymore up there she thrust out her lip in the direction of the white house my mother-in-law is afraid you might carry some dust off on your feet and I can't give you anything not a thing do you understand not even my work everything is kept locked up and I am treated exactly like a servant but I don't want anything my heart don't make yourself miserable over such trifles I am not in need of anything said Aunt Bacchysia very gently you must not worry about me all I care about is that money I borrowed from Anna de Jas I don't see how I am ever to pay her but she will wait Giovanna reddened angrily and wrung her hands exclaming in a high-pitched voice well anyhow I shall certainly speak to him about that tonight the nasty beast I am going to tell him that at least he might pay for the rags I have on my back pay for them pay for them may you be shot don't speak so loud I am excited my soul there is no use I tell you in losing your temper what good will getting angry do you suppose he would turn you out well he may if he wants to it would be better if he did at least I could work for myself then instead of slaving for those accursed people ah there she is coming back she added in a lower tone as the black-robed figure of Aunt Martina appeared in the glare of the common now I'll get a scolding for leaving the house empty she's afraid someone will steal her money she has heaps of it and she doesn't even know about it she can't tell one note from another nor the coins either she has ten thousand lira yes a thousand scuddy no my soul two thousand well two thousand hidden away and I am not allowed a drop of anything to refresh me or to slake this burning thirst inside me it will all be yours said Aunt Paquicia if you will only be patient and bide your time when the angels come someday and carry her off to paradise it will all belong to you Giovanna cleared her throat and rubbed it with one hand then she resumed hotly they may drive me out if they want to it makes no difference to me listen the communal clock says I am Bronto's wife but it seems to me as though I were just living with him in mortal sin do you remember what sort of a marriage it was done secretly in the dark almost without as much as a dog present no confections nothing and then Jacoby Dijas choked him laughing and yelling out here he comes the beauty and then the beauty came now you listen to me said Aunt Paquicia in a low penetrating voice you are simply a fool upon my word you always were and you always will be why do you give up so and for such trifles too I tell you every poor daughter in law has got to live just as you are living your harvest time will come only be patient and obedient and you will see it will all come out right moreover just as soon as the baby is born I believe you will find that things are very different no nothing will be different and then if there were no children they will only chain me plaster to that stone that is dragging me down and trampling on me would you like to know something well my real husband is Constantino Leda and I stop your mouth you are beside yourself my soul be quiet and if he comes back Giovanna went on I will not be able to return to him on account of having children I will stop your mouth repeated Aunt Paquicia trembling and rising to her feet with a movement as though she were about to put her threat into execution there was no need however for Giovanna saw her mother-in-law coming across the common and broke off Aunt Martina spinning as she walked slowly approached the two women taking the air she inquired without raising her eyes from the whirling spindle fine air the heat is suffocating ah tonight we may get some rain replied Aunt Paquicia it undoubtedly is going to rain let us hope there will be no thunder I am so afraid of thunder the devil empties out his bag of nuts then I hope and trust Bronto will be in before evening what shall we have for supper Giovanna whatever you like are you going to stay out there don't run any risks it might be bad for you what will be bad for me why the evening air it is always a little damp it is safer to stay inside and you might be getting supper ready there are some eggs my daughter eggs and tomatoes prepare them for yourself and your husband I am not hungry really do you know she continued turning to Aunt Paquicia I have no appetite at all these days perhaps it is the weather perhaps it is the devil perched on your croup and your own stinginess thought the other Giovanna neither spoke nor moved she seemed completely immersed in her own dismal thoughts the panagyric is to be at 11 tomorrow such an inconvenient hour shall you go Giovanna it has always been at 10 o'clock in other years no I shall not go replied Giovanna in a dull tone she was ashamed now to be seen in church yes at that time it is up to be warm it is just as well that you should not go but it seems to be raining she added holding out her hand a big drop fell and spread among the hairs on its back tick tick tick other great drops came splashing down a motionless almond tree and on the ground boring little holes in the sand of the common at the same time the sky appeared to be lightening there was a vivid gleam and a great yellow cloud with markings of a darker shade sailed slowly across the bronze background of the sky the women took refuge in their houses and immediately afterwards the rain began to fall in earnest a heavy steady downpour with neither wind nor thunder but almost frightening in its violence in ten minutes it was all over but enough had fallen to soak the ground God oh God oh San Constantino oh Holy Assumption moaned Aunt Martina if Bronto is out in this he'll be like a drowned chicken and she studied the heavens anxiously though never for a moment ceasing to spin while Giovanna began to prepare the supper listening to the clatter of the rain she too felt a vague uneasiness not indeed on her husband's account but in dread of some unknown indefinable evil all at once the yellow light that had accompanied the downpour melted in the west into a clear pale blue sky the rain stopped suddenly the clouds opened and parted scurrying off under one another on top of one another like a great crowd of people dispersing after a reunion the light was sea green the air was fresh and reviving filled with the odour of damp earth and of dried grass that has had a thorough soaking and with the sound of shrill fullish crowings of roosters mistaking this pale clear twilight for the dawn then silence Aunt Martina's black figure eternally spinning on the portico made a dark splotch against the green sky Giovanna was lighting the fire bending over the hearth when a long tremulous ney broke on her ears the tremor in the sound seemed to communicate itself to her and she straightened herself up trembling as well and looked out Bronto was arriving and she was frightened about everything and nothing at all a tiny gleam flashed out from Aunt Bakisi's cottage by its light the old woman was endeavouring with the aid of a rough broom to sweep out the water the threshold the sky beyond the yellow fields looked like a stretch of still green water and in the foreground the almond tree, glossy and dripping dominated everything around it beneath the almond tree in the last gleam of daylight Bronto appeared on horseback horse and rider alike black and steaming and lagging along as though sodden and weighted by the deluge that had poured over them the two women came running out to meet him uttering many expressions of horror possibly a trifle exaggerated in tone but he paid no attention to them the devil, the devil, the devil the devil he muttered drawing his feet heavily out of the stirrups and lifting first one and then the other go to the devil who sent you Jews or waterlogged why don't you get to work he added crossly marching off to the kitchen the two women began at once to unload the horse and when Giovanna followed him a little later he at once demanded something to drink to dry him change your clothes she told him but no he did not want to change his clothes he only wanted something to drink to dry him he repeated and grew angry when Giovanna would not get it for him he ended however by doing precisely as she said changed his clothes took nothing to drink and while waiting for supper sat carefully rubbing his wet hair on a towel and combing it out what a deluge what a deluge he said a regular sea pouring straight out of heaven ah I got my crust well softened this time he gave a little laugh how are you Giovanna all right eh Jacoby Dishas sent all kinds of messages you act like smoking his eyes you ought to stop his tongue said Aunt Martina he's only a dirty serving man if you didn't let him take such liberties he would respect you more I stopped more than his tongue he wanted me to let him come in tonight no I said you'll stay where you are and split he's coming in tomorrow though tomorrow and why tomorrow ah my son you let yourself be robbed quite openly you don't amount to anything well after all tomorrow is the assumption said he raising his voice and putting the finishing touches to his hairdressing and Jacoby is a relation so let it rest there Giovanna see how handsome I am he smiled at her showing his splendid teeth he did in truth look so handsome and clean and radiant with his shining locks and fresh colour the Giovanna felt a momentary softening presently he began to hum a foolish little song that children sing when it rains rain rain rain rain ripe grapes and figs and so they all sat down to the evening meal in high good humour and contentment Aunt Martina excusing herself on the plea of having no appetite ate nothing but bread onions and cheese articles of diet however of which she happened to be particularly fond but this in no wise interfered with the general harmony of the supper after they had finished Bronto asked Giovanna to go out with him for a little walk just to ramble about with no particular object among the paths and deserted lanes of the village the sky had completely cleared a few flickering stars glimmered faintly from out its pelucid depths and the air was full of the odour of dead grass and wet stones quantities of sand and mud had been washed over the paths but Giovanna wore her skirts very short and such heavy nailed shoes that they struck against the stones with a sound like metal Bronto took hold of her arm and began to invent wonderful pieces of news as his custom was when he wanted to interest her Zangini said he naming one of the men has found something what do you suppose it is a baby when why today I think Zangini was digging up a lentisk when he heard a wow wow he looked and there was a baby only a few days old well that wasn't so wonderful but now comes the queer part a little cloud suddenly came flying through the air and swooped down on Zangini and seized the baby it was an eagle who had evidently stolen the baby somewhere and hidden it among the bushes and when he saw Zangini looking at it he shot down it get out said Giovanna I don't believe a single word you say make me rich if it's not true get out get out said Giovanna again impatiently and bronto seeing that instead of being amused she was out of humour asked her if she had had a bad dream she remembered the one she had told her mother of and made no reply in this way they came to the other side of the village that is to the part where Isidoropane lived a spectacle of indescribable loveliness lay spread before them the moon like a great golden face gazed down from the silver blue west and the black earth the wet trees the slate stone houses the clumps of bushes and the wild stretch of upland everything as far as the eye could reach to the very utmost confines of the horizon seemed bathed in a tender half tearful smile the two young people passed close by the fisherman's hut and they could hear him singing bronto stopped come on said Giovanna dragging him by the arm wait a moment I want to knock on the thing he calls his door oh she said trembling come away come on I tell you if you don't come I'll leave you by yourself oh yes that's true you and he have had a quarrel I haven't though I'm going to knock on his door I'm going on then he was singing the lords of San Constantino said bronto as he rejoined her a few moments later the one the saint gave him on the riverbank that time that old man is stark mad end of chapter 11 recording by Tom Denham chapter 12 of After the Divorce by Grazia de Lleda translated by Maria Horner Lansdale this Librivox recording is in the public domain recording by Tom Denham on the following morning at about 11 o'clock the religious services began in the church they were set for this late hour so as to allow for the arrival of a young priest from Nuoro a friend of priest Eliasus who was to give a panagiric gratis to the people of Olay this panagiric was a great event and in consequence by 10 o'clock the church overflowed with a gaily dressed throne of persons the building itself was painted in the most vivid colours pink walls relieved by stripes of bright blue a yellow wooden pulpit and rows of lust he saints with red cheeks and blonde hair simpering from their pink niches like so many teutonic worthy San Constantino however the patron saint was clad in armour and his face looked dark and stern this ancient statue was believed to perform miracles and according to local tradition had been carved by San Nicodemus himself through the wide open door came a flood of sunshine which pouring over the congregation enveloped them in a cloud of golden dust at the other end of the church where the altar stood it seemed quite dark not withstanding the large M of lighted tapers looking with their motionless flames like so many arrowheads stuck on shafts of white wood Priest Elias was celebrated mass and close by stood his friend wearing a lace alb and with a small dark face like that of a shrewd child he was singing away at the top of his voice and all wondered to hear the little priest sing so loud knowing that he was to preach as well most of the people had indeed come expressly to hear this sermon and were paying scant attention to the mass being taken up with whispering and staring about them true the heat was suffocating and clouds of insects made devotion difficult even for the most pious at last Priest Elias having finished chanting the gospel turned his pale ascetic face towards the people and his lips were seen to move just then the figure of Jacoby de Jas appeared in the doorway silwetted against the vivid blue background of the sky his usual mocking expression was changed to one of self-satisfaction aware that the priest was speaking he paused on the threshold to listen holding his long black cap in his hand then finding that he could distinguish nothing he stepped inside and whispered to an old man with a long yellow beard who stood near the door to know what had been said I don't know I couldn't hear him they make as much racket as if they were out in a square said the old man quarrelously at all fresh complexioned youth with black hair and an aquiline nose turned instead at Jacoby noting his unusual cleanliness his new clothes and general air of complacency he grinned ill-naturedly I think said he that Priest Elias said the other priest was going to begin the panagyric now did you hear him say it asked the old man crossly I didn't hear him say anything at all replied the youth Jacoby worked his way towards the front of the church pushing in and out among the men who turned to look at him as he pressed against them suddenly a silence fell on the crowd the men all drew back against the walls and the women sat on the floor in the centre of the church where a stream of sunshine fell was a sort of wooden bedstead painted blue and watched over by four little pink cheeked cherubs whose green outstretched wings gave them the appearance of four emerald butterflies on the bed reposing with closed eyes upon brocade cushions was a tiny Madonna she was dressed entirely in white with rings, necklaces and earrings of gold it was the assumption the dark shrewd face of the little priest now appeared above the edge of the pulpit Jacoby regarded him fixedly for a moment and then turned his right ear towards him so as to hear better people of Orlais brothers, sisters said the priest in a clear childish treble asked to preach you a little sermon on this solemn day Jacoby liked the opening but finding that he could hear very well without paying strict attention he turned and began to observe the people talking all the while to himself though without losing any of the discourse there is a doropani that devil take him if he hasn't got on new clothes too I wonder if he's also thinking of getting married he he that fresh looking fellow down there by the door was laughing at me he saw how happy and prosperous I looked and thought of course that I must be going to get married well and what if I am is it any business of yours you puppy can't I get married if I want to I have a house of my own and cattle too he he my sister will die without airs God bless her there she is looking like a pink shiny little wax doll who would ever suppose that she is older than I she wants me to get a wife well I am perfectly willing but whom shall I get I am not so easy to please and then I'm afraid I'm afraid I'm afraid with this new law the devil roast all the lawyers who in the world is one ever to trust there's that precious young master of mine there he is at this very minute with the stamp of mortal sin on him what is he doing here why don't they horse whip him why don't they drive him out like a dog and his old bird of prey mother too the old jade there she is why don't they drive both of them out ah he thought presently that is true though if they turned everyone out who did wrong the church would soon be empty but those two people I hate them I'd like to flog them till the blood came I'm not bad though didn't I stay up at the folds only today working to repair the damage made by yesterday's storm then when I came down there was Giovanna getting dinner all by herself she was dirty and ill and unhappy no holiday for her the mother and son go off together and she the maid servant stays at home and does the work well it serves her right a bad woman and yet I do feel sorry for her sometimes there God help me I do feel sorry for her when I said something ugly to her just now she never answered a word after all when you come to think of it she's the mistress and I'm the servant but is it my fault if I can't help pitching into you sometimes little spring bird I can't bear the sight of you and all the same I'm sorry for you and that's the way it is now we must listen to what the priest has to tell us he's just like a sparrow that's it a sparrow singing in its nest brothers sisters beloved cried the little preacher in the soft logarith dialect which sounds almost like Spanish and waving his small white hands in the air the faith of our lady is the most ideal the most sublime of all faiths she the gentle woman daughter wife and mother of our lord mounted to heaven all radiant and fragrant as a chocolate of roses and took her seat in glory amongst the angels and seraphim there's priest Elias thought Jacobi turning his little squint eyes which shone like metal in the bright light towards the altar with his hands folded together a boiled milk priest who can't preach anything except goodness and forgiveness and all the time he has the holy books and could strike right and left among the people if he chose to ah if he had only threatened Giovanna era he always looks as if he were in a dream anyhow no one continued the little preacher having erect in the yellow pulpit no one has ever been able to say that he failed to get anything he asked in true faith from our most holy lady she the lily of the valley the mystical rose of Jericho but the audience was growing weary the women seated on the floor like beds of ranun clilises and poppies were beginning to stir uneasily and had ceased to listen the young priest understood and brought his discourse to a close with a general benediction which included the entire gathering of persons who while ostensibly listening to the word of God were for the most part wholly taken up with their own and their neighbour's affairs priest Elias arousing from his dream resumed the celebration of the mass he alone with possibly Isidoro Pane had listened to the sermon and the latter so soon as the mass was concluded began to sing the lords his clear sweet voice flowing out like a stream of limpid water rippling among rocks and flowering moss the young stranger listened with ecstasy to those liquid tomes the old fisherman's venerable figure his long flowing beard and gentle eyes and the bone rosary clasped between his knotted fingers recalling certain pilgrims he had seen in Rome he wanted to meet the old man and priest Elias accordingly stopped him at the church door Jacoby who was watching was almost consumed with envy at the sight of the fisherman standing in friendly conversation with the two priests what the thunder were they saying to you he demanded as the other came up they wanted me to dine with them said Isidoro with some show of importance oh they wanted you to dine with them did they so my little spring bird you are getting to be somebody it seems well you come along with me to the Dejasus not I exclaimed Isidoro in a tone of horror no no I'm not going to eat with those children of the devil today I'm going home so come along it was past midday as the two men set off for Aunt Ana Rosa's house the sun pouring down on the narrow streets had dried the mud and the moisture on the trees in all directions people could be seen dispersing to their homes and the heavy tread of the shepherds resounded on the stone pavements children dressed in their Sunday best peeped from over tumble down walls and through open doors glimpses could be caught of dark interiors with here and there a copper saucepan shining from a wall like some huge medals suspended there thin curls of smoke floated up through the clear atmosphere and the music of a mouth organ issuing from a usually deserted courtyard sounded as though it were coming from the bowels of the earth where some melancholy old fate was solacing herself the entire village wore an unaccustomed air of gaiety and yet this very festal look the wide open doors, the wreaths of smoke children so ill at ease at their holiday attire the sound of the mouth organ the bare unshaded houses exposed to the full glare of the noontide sun all combined to produce an effect of profound melancholy Jacoby led the way to his sister's house and they all three dined together the little woman herself widowed and childless adored her brother and still referred to him as my little brother but then she loved all her kind without distinction and her eyes slightly crossed of no colour in particular and as pure and liquid as two tiny lakes illuminated by the moon were as innocent as the eyes of a nursing child she knew that evil existed but was frightened merely at the thought of men committing sin one of the great sorrows of her life had been Giovanna's divorce and remarriage her own foster child as it were and to think that she had actually lent them the money for the wedding outfit Jacoby dearly loved to tease her here's our friend Isidoro he cried as the party seated themselves at table he is thinking of getting married and has come to consult you bless me Isidoro Panni and are you really going to be married? oh go along, go along said the fisherman good-humidly so you don't care about marrying? cried Jacoby holding a piece of roast meat in both hands and tearing it apart with teeth it was still sound and strong well you're a dirty beast do you know sister? he has lovers all the same I don't believe that it's true though take me to heaven if it's not yes he has lovers who suck his blood the others laughed like two children at this humorous allusion to Isidoro's leeches Jacoby began to cut his meat with a sharp knife holding it between his teeth and left hand and muttering that it was as tough as the devil's ear while his sister and the guest having once begun were ready to laugh at everything Jacoby's mood however suddenly changed and for some reason which he himself was at a loss to explain his good spirits of a few hours before deserted him when we are finished I'll take you to see my palace he said it will be done in a few days now and if I wanted to I could rent it right away but I don't want to I intend to live in it myself then you're not going to hire out anymore no not after a little while I have worked enough I have been working for 40 years do you take that in? yes it's 40 years no one can say I stole the money I have laid away for my old age and you are going to marry? pooo who is there to marry me I should despise any young woman who is willing to and I won't have an old one, not I take something more to drink is adoro panne you must want to make me tipsy well as it's a holiday here's to the bride and groom what bride and groom Jacobie de Jas yn bachisia era said the fisherman who was waxing Mary Jacobie made a quick movement as though to throw himself upon him ah knock out your brains he cried his eyes flashing with anger ah you murderer laughed the other hush hush one should not say such things said Aunt Anna Rosa Jacobie drank off a couple of glasses of wine and then laughed in rather a forced way looking sideways at his sister and the fisherman see here he said suddenly why don't you two get married is adoro panne my sister is rich and you see how fresh she is just like the hip of a wild rose you'd think she had found some magic herb and made anointment to preserve her skin God bless you how queer you are sometimes exclaimed the little woman yes you two had better marry I wish it my sister is rich all my property will go to her because I am going to die first somehow I don't quite know why but I feel as though I were going to die soon I feel as though I were going to be killed oh nonsense if it happens today it will come from drinking too much dear little brother what on earth are you talking about in the name of the wretched souls in purgatory don't say such things said his sister greatly distressed you have no enemies said is adoro and besides only those perished by the sword who have used the sword well I have slaughtered many and many an innocent unoffending fellow creature replied a Jacobi seriously burying his mouth in a slice of watermelon you don't believe me sheep and lambs without number and he lifted his face streaming with the pink juice and laughed dinner over the two men went off to look at the new house it's two stories one on the ground floor and one above it were divided into four large bedrooms a kitchen and a stable these accommodations being deemed sufficient to earn for it the title of palace not alone from Jacobi but from the entire neighbourhood as well do you see this have you noticed that Jacobi kept calling out drawing attention to every detail and corner of his property his clean shaven face devoid even of eyebrows growing meanwhile almost youthful in its enthusiasm you had better marry my sister he said presently this house will be hers someday you're making fun of me replied the other because I am poor you think you can laugh at me as much as you like the wooden floors filled the simple soul with awe and he hardly dared to walk on them Jacobi on the contrary seemed to enjoy stamping about in his great hobnail boots and making as much noise as he could in the big empty rooms all redolent of fresh plaster the two men paused for a moment at an open window whose stone sill baked by the sun felt hot to the touch the house stood high and below them in black shadow lay the village looking like a heap of charcoal beneath the green veil of trees all about stretched the yellow plain and beyond the great violet grey sphinxes reared themselves against a cloudless sky the bell of the little church clamouring insistently broke in on the noontide heat and stillness and the sound was like metal moving against stone as though far off in the rocky heart of those huge sphinxes a drowsy giant were wielding his pick why don't you want to marry my sister said Jacobi again this house will belong to her and this will be her bedroom here at this very window you could smoke your pipe I never smoke do let me be said the fisherman impatiently the others talk began to annoy him I'm not joking you old lizard retorted Jacobi only you are such a dull beggar that you can't even tell that I'm not listen said Isidoro you have given me my dinner today and so you think you have a right to make game of me now I tell you this if you want me to be grateful for it you had better leave me alone Jacobi Jacobi stayed at him for a moment then he burst into a loud laugh come on he cried let's have something to drink they went out and Jacobi led the way to the tavern but the other refused to enter saying that it was time for him to be getting back to the church in the tavern Jacobi found Bronto in a number of others playing morra their arms flung out in tense attitudes and all shouting the numbers at the tops of their lungs before five o'clock the hour set for the procession they were all quite tipsy Jacobi more so than anyone notwithstanding which fact he insisted upon grasping his master by the arm being firmly under the impression that without his aid the other would not be able to walk he then invited the whole company to adjourn to his palace to view the procession a little later accordingly the big empty rooms echoed to the sound of horse voices bursts of aimless laughter and uncertain footsteps the windows were all thrown wide open and quickly filled with wild bearded faces Jacobi and Bronto were standing at the same window where the old fisherman had been shortly before by this time the sun had left it but the civil was still warm while below them and beyond the village and the plain and the mountains were striped with long bars of ever-lengthening shadows cuckoo shouted Bronto staring out with round eyes this was so intensely humorous that the others all began imitating him each one making as much noise as possible the house resounded with the uproar a crowd gathered in the street below and presently the drunkards within and those without began to exchange abusive epithets followed by spitting and stone-throwing on a sudden however pleat silence fell a sound of low mournful chanting was heard approaching and immediately after a double line of white phantom-like figures appeared at the end of the street preceded by a silver cross held aloft against the blue background of the sky the men in the street fell back against the walls the heads at the windows were lowered and everyone uncovered one of the white-robed brotherhood boys for the most part who, when the ceremonies were over would receive three saldi each and a slice of watermelon knocked at the door of the new house as he passed and the others followed his example curse you yelled Jacobi furiously leaning far out of the window boors walking in the procession are you and he was about to spit on them but Bronto prevented him telling him it would not do now came the green brocade standard with its hundred verigated ribbons and gilded staff and next the Madonna of the Assumption extended with closed eyes on her portable couch covered with necklaces and rings that look like relics of the bronze age and watched over by the four green cherubs on each of the four sides walking beside the bearers was a man wearing a white tunic and carrying in his arms a child dressed as an angel they were charming little creatures too blonde and too brunette and they chattered gaily with one another shouting to make themselves heard one of them tickled under the knee by the man who carried him squirmed and wriggled on each of the four sides squirmed and wriggled one wing hanging limply down the sight of these children touched some finer emotion in Bronto, Jacoby and the others and bending their knees they crossed themselves devoutly the children for their part gazed up at the windows and one of them recognising an uncle in the group flung a red confetto at him which missing fire fell back into the road priest Elias and the little stranger from Nuoro came next wearing brocade and lace robes pale and handsome in their bravery they walked with clasped hands and wrapped faces chanting in Latin the devil exclaimed Jacoby suddenly if there isn't that dirty old disadorabane you'd suppose he was running the whole procession I'm going to spit on him no you're not commanded Bronto Jacoby coughed to attract the fisherman's attention but the other did not so much as raise his eyes continuing to intone the prayers to which the people responded as with a single voice the surging very coloured crowd had flowed together behind the procession and above the sea of heads could still be seen the swaying silver cross the men had all uncovered bald heads shining with perspiration mops of thick black hair rough curly pates and then the gay headkerchiefs of the women some with black grounds and yellow squares others striped with red or covered with green spots all surmounting flushed faces flashing eyes white bodysus crossed on the breast red gesticulating hands gradually the crowd thinned an old cripple came limping along then a woman with two children hanging to her skirts then three old women a child with a yellow flower in its mouth the street grew empty and silent the noise and movement and colour receding in waves and growing ever fain as the low melancholy cadence of the chandded invocations died away in the distance as the last sounds ceased two cats' paws appeared on the wall opposite Jack of his house followed by a little white face with wide startled eyes then the animal leaped on the wall and sat staring intently down the street followed by a little white face with wide startled eyes staring intently down the street too late cried Bronto waving a salute the others shouted with laughter and when Jack of his presently told them it was time to be off they refused to go the host thereupon seizing a laugh covered with plaster tried to drive them out and the entire troop of rough bearded men began to run from room to room pushing one another by the shoulders yelling, tumbling over each other and shrieking with laughter like so many school boys driven forth at length they continued their horseplay in the street until Jack obey having locked the door and put the key in his pocket led the way back to the tavern a dusk Bronto and the herdsman supporting one another appeared at the White House and Martina was sitting on the portico with her hands beneath her apron reciting the rosary when her eyes fell on the two men she remained perfectly still and silent but her lips tightened and she shook her head ever so slightly as though to say truly a fine sight where is Giovanna demanded Bronto she went to her mother's oh she went to her mother's the old harpies well she's always going there curser don't shout so my son I will I'll shout as much as I like I'm in my own house and turning towards the common he began to call at the top of his voice Giovanna Giovanna Giovanna appeared at the door of the cottage and started to cross the common hastily on the alarmed air as she drew near however her expression changed to one of annoyance and disgust pausing in front of the two men she regarded them with a look of undisguised scorn Giaco be laughed but Bronto read into the tips of his ears with anger well she demanded what is the matter? have you got the colic? got it pretty soon if you hadn't come said Giaco be Bronto opened his mouth and his lips moved but no sounds came forth and his anger presently died away as senselessly as it had come well he stammered I wanted you we have hardly seen each other all day what were you doing at your mother's who was there she repeated in a tone of intense bitterness why no one who would you expect to find at our house why San Constantino might come to give you a poem San Giaco be thickly have you ever seen San Constantino well there's Isidoro Pane he's perfectly crazy he doesn't like you he doesn't and then shut up hold your tongue said Aunt Martina and the sheepfolds left all this time to take care of themselves that's the way you attend your master's business you're all alike the cursed thieves Giaco be sprang forward erect and livid and Giovanna fearing that he was really going to strike the old woman he left quickly between them he turned however without saying a word and sat down but with so lowering an expression that Giovanna remained near her mother-in-law in an attitude of protection Bronto on the contrary was struck with the idea that his mother deserved a rebuke what sort of manners are these he demanded in a tone that was intended to be severe why you treat people as though as though they were beasts everybody today today no yesterday was a holiday if he chose to get drunk what business was that of yours I got drunk on poison remark Giaco be yes poison agreed Bronto and I did too and there's another thing I'm tired of all this mother and wife and the old business so there I'm going away I'm going to spend the night with him in his palace after all we are relations and say it right out shouted Giaco be you may be my heir that's what you mean ha ha ha ha he laughed boisterously emitting sounds there were more like the howls of a wild beast than human laughter Bronto trying to imitate him only succeeded in producing a noise like the cry of some happy animal in the springtime Giovanna felt herself grow sick with dread she was afraid of the rapidly approaching darkness of the solitude that enwrapped the common of the presence of these two men whom wine had turned into quarrelsome beasts the excommunication she thought has fallen on us all on this servant who dares to defy his master on the son who braves his mother on me Giovanna who loathed despise them one and all and Martina arose of the solitude and Martina arose went into the kitchen and lit the candle Giovanna followed her and set about preparing the supper when it was ready they all sat down together and for a little while everything went well presently Bronto began to tell of how they had watched the procession from the windows of Jacob's palace his account of their foolish doings bringing a smile to his mother's lips then he tried to put his arm around his wife but Giovanna's heart was full of gall for her the holiday had been if anything, sadder than an ordinary day she had worked hard she had not been to church she had not so much just changed her dress and yet the moment she had allowed herself to go for a little recreation to the cottage the scene alike of her greatest misery and of her most intense happiness she had been ordered back as peremptorily as a dog is told to return to its kennel consequently she was in no mood for endearments and repulsed Bronto's prophet Cares telling him he was drunk Jacobi there upon laughed delightedly which irritated Giovanna much as it angered Bronto what are you laughing at your mangy cur demanded the latter I might say I am not as mangy as you are yourself but then I want to say that well I'm laughing because I choose to hey I can laugh too fools said Giovanna scornfully you make me sick both of you at this Bronto quite beside himself suddenly turned on her what is the matter with you anyhow he demanded in a hard voice one would really like to know here you are living on me and when I offered to kiss you you fly out at me you ought to be thankful to kiss the very ground under my feet do you hear me Giovanna grew livid what? she hissed am I treated any better than a servant in this house well a servant all right you can just stay one where else should you be woman Jacobi's squint eyes sparkled at this but Giovanna rising to her feet proceeded to pour out all the concentrated bitterness of the past months addressing her husband and mother-in-law she called them slave drivers and tyrants threatened to go away to kill herself cursed the hour she had entered that house and in the transport of her rage even revealed the debt to Jacobi's sister at this the herdsman fell to laughing softly to himself murmuring words of half-mocking reproach addressed to and Anna Rosa on a sudden however his face grew black the somber figure of Aunt Bakysia appeared in the doorway she had heard her daughter's angry voice resounding through the stillness of the evening and had come at once here said Aunt Martina perfectly unmoved is your daughter gone mad to all appearances gone mad to all appearances Bronto completely sobered was signing urgently to his mother-in-law to come forward and try to calm the furious woman and Aunt Bakysia was about to do so when Jacobi suddenly lept to his feet and threw himself in front of her with an ugly scowl get out of here he ordered pointing to the door and are you the master asked Aunt Bakysia ironically get out I tell you he repeated and as she continued to advance he laid hold of her she shook him off and he went out himself instead and sitting down on the portico tried to laugh but odd to relate instead of laughter he presently found himself shaking all over with dry convulsive sobs end of chapter 12 recording by Tom Denham