forefinger. Giambattista decides to put an end to all uncertainty by
an immediate visit to the Pietà. ‘Come on, Antonio. Let’s go and
find out what the game is.’
‘But you haven’t finished your breakfast,’ protests his
mother. ‘Later,’ barks Giambattista, throwing on his cloak. Antonio
is reluctant to move. He knows this is no gossip but longs with all
his being to avoid hearing it confirmed. ‘I’m not feeling so well,
father,’ he complains with an expression of pain and rubbing his
chest, where indeed he feels the cramp returning. ‘Too bad,’ returns
his father. ‘It’s your job and your future. GET GOING!’ The threat
in his voice tells Antonio there is no point in arguing. He gets to
his feet with a sigh and just has time to put on the tabarro thrown at
him by his father. His mother says nothing more, but wipes a tear
from the corner of her eye. Running a damp cloth swiftly over the
table, she prays to Mother Mary. But in her heart she fears the
worst.
‘What is said cannot be unsaid and I am the last person who can
do anything about this!’ Unmoved, the governor of the Ospedale della
Pietà stands behind the door, holding it open just a crack. ‘But
why?’ shouts an enraged Giambattista. ‘You can at least give us a
reason!’
‘There’s a letter on its way and if you disagree with the
decision you’d better lodge an objection with the chairman of the
Congregazione.’ The man has hardly finished speaking before he
slams the heavy door in their faces. The bolts are shot, rendering
the institute as impregnable as one of the fortifications in the
lagoon. Stunned speechless, Giambattista hammers furiously with
his fist upon the wooden door whilst the desolate Antonio stands
watching. He knew it would turn out like this. Finito. The end of
everything. Now he will be a laughing stock. Everyone will treat
him with contempt. But why have they thrust him aside so savagely?
Utterly humiliated, he prays, ‘My God, my God, help me find my
way through this’.
On the other side of the door, a little way up the staircase,
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