Адриана Трижиани – The Shoemaker's Wife / Жена башмачника. Книга для чтения на английском языке (страница 22)
The mahogany dining room table, which seated twenty, was polished to a mirror shine. The nuns had embroidered the seats of the chairs by hand in a pattern of lilies of the valley[128], surrounded by ivy vines, on a field of navy blue.
The nuns worked silently and swiftly, setting a place for Don Gregorio.
Sister Ercolina entered the dining room, checking her watch. «May I call Don Gregorio to supper?»
«Yes, Sister.» Sister Domenica folded her arms into her habit sleeves, took her place by the sideboard, and looked straight ahead.
Sister Teresa entered the dining room with Don Gregorio’s meal, warm under its silver dome. She positioned it on the starched linen place mat and took her place next to Sister Domenica.
Sister Ercolina entered the dining room and stood on the opposite wall, facing Teresa and Domenica.
Don Gregorio entered. «Let us pray,» he said without looking at the nuns. He made a sweeping sign of the cross, his hands cutting a swath through the air as he said,
The nuns made the sign of the cross with him, and Don Gregorio took his seat as Sister Teresa moved forward to serve him. She lifted the silver dome off the plate, and Sister Domenica took it from her. They returned to their stations by the server.
«What a beautiful cut of veal,» Don Gregorio said.
«Thank you, Don Gregorio,» Sister Teresa said.
«Why am I deserving of such an opulent meal in the midst of Lent[129]?»
«Don Gregorio, you must keep your strength up during Easter week.»
«Have you set the schedule for the house blessings, Sister Ercolina?»
«Yes, Father. We have the LaPenna and Baratta boys accompanying you. We thought you should begin in Vilminore Alta this year and work your way down the mountain. Ignazio will drive you in the carriage. We have the silver polished, and the urns ready for your blessing of the holy water.»
«Have the palms arrived?»
«They were shipped from Greece, and we expect them any day now,» Sister assured him.
«And the linens for Good Friday?»
«They are pressed and stored in the sacristy.»
«And my vestments?»
«Hanging in the chifforobe in the sacristy.» Sister Ercolina cleared her throat. «Are you expecting any visitors during Holy Week, Father?»
«I’ve sent a letter to the priest in Azzone to concelebrate Easter mass with me. I understand the choir has been practicing.»
«Yes, they sound wonderful.» Sister Ercolina motioned to Sister Teresa to refill Don Gregorio’s wineglass.
«Sisters, I’d like to speak to Sister Ercolina alone, please.»
Sister Domenica and Sister Teresa nodded and left quietly through the door to the kitchen, closing the door behind them.
«You may sit, Sister Ercolina.»
Sister Ercolina pulled a chair out from the table and sat on the edge of it.
«Have you taken care of the Lazzari boy?» he asked.
«Which one?» Sister Ercolina said innocently.
«Eduardo.» The priest was impatient.
«I sent the letter to the seminary weeks ago. They are willing to take him now. Eduardo is a very pious young man,» Sister Ercolina said.
«I can see that. I believe he’ll do very well there.»
«He has been a great help to us at the convent.» She added, «And I know you will miss his expert planning of the liturgy and music for Sunday mass. He really is quite talented.»
«I agree with you. That’s why I recommended him,» Don Gregorio said.
On the other side of the door, Sister Teresa and Sister Domenica listened to the conversation.
«What are they saying?» Domenica asked.
«They’re talking about Eduardo. Don Gregorio is taking full credit for Eduardo’s admission into the seminary.»
«Really? He applied months ago with Sister Ercolina’s recommendation.»
Sister Ercolina folded her hands on her lap. Don Gregorio tore a bit of bread from the loaf and sopped up gravy, made with butter, red wine, and mushrooms.
«And the other one?» He bit the bread and chewed.
«They are willing to take Ciro at the workhouse in Parma.»
«Good.»
«But we need a little help from you.»
«What do you need?» he asked grudgingly. He picked up his glass of wine and sipped it.
«We need one hundred lire.»
«What!» Don Gregorio placed his wineglass on the table.
«There is usually a waiting period at the workhouse, and they are willing to waive it, but we have to pay them for the privilege. Itold them the matter was urgent, and that you want Ciro off the mountain as soon as possible—»
«I do,» Don Gregorio said defiantly.
«They won’t take him without it. I need the money tonight.»
Don Gregorio eyed her suspiciously.
«Father, you asked me to make the arrangements quickly, and I was not to question you,» Sister Ercolina pressed. «I have done as you have asked.»
«Yes, of course, we must do what’s right for San Nicola.»
Sister Teresa and Sister Domenica entered to clear the plates. Sister Domenica carried a silver tray with a dish of baked custard for dessert.
«If you don’t mind, I am going to skip dessert tonight,» he said. «Sister Teresa, I need to speak to you alone.»
Sister Teresa looked at Sister Ercolina nervously.
The older nuns nodded and retreated into the kitchen, closing the door behind them.
«Did you get the money?» Sister Domenica whispered frantically.
Sister Ercolina nodded. «He said he would give it to me. I hope that Sister Teresa corroborates what I’ve told him.»
«Don’t worry about her. She’s as smooth as custard.» Sister Domenica lifted a spoon and ate Don Gregorio’s dessert.
In the dining room, Sister Teresa stood in front of Don Gregorio. She folded her hands and stared straight ahead.
«Sister Teresa, I would like to know why you went to Signora Martocci about their daughter.»
«I was concerned, Father.»