Chapter 33

           IdroppedoffthetraininMilanasitslowedtocomeintothestationearlyinthemorningbeforeitwaslight.Icrossedthetrackandcameoutbetweensomebuildingsanddownontothestreet.AwineshopwasopenandIwentinforsomecoffee.Itsmelledofearlymorning,ofsweptdust,spoonsincoffee-glassesandthewetcirclesleftbywine-glasses.Theproprietorwasbehindthebar.Twosoldierssatatatable.Istoodatthebaranddrankaglassofcoffeeandateapieceofbread.Thecoffeewasgraywithmilk,andIskimmedthemilkscumoffthetopwithapieceofbread.Theproprietorlookedatme.

           "Youwantaglassofgrappa?"

           "Nothanks."

           "Onme,"hesaidandpouredasmallglassandpushedittowardme."What’shappeningatthefront?"

           "Iwouldnotknow."

           "Theyaredrunk,"hesaid,movinghishandtowardthetwosoldiers.Icouldbelievehim.Theylookeddrunk.

           "Tellme,"hesaid,"whatishappeningatthefront?"

           "Iwouldnotknowaboutthefront."

           "Isawyoucomedownthewall.Youcameoffthetrain."

           "Thereisabigretreat."

           "Ireadthepapers.Whathappens?Isitover?"

           "Idon’tthinkso."

           Hefilledtheglasswithgrappafromashortbottle."Ifyouareintrouble,"hesaid,"Icankeepyou."

           "Iamnotintrouble."

           "Ifyouareintroublestayherewithme."

           "Wheredoesonestay?"

           "Inthebuilding.Manystayhere.Anywhoareintroublestayhere."

           "Aremanyintrouble?"

           "Itdependsonthetrouble.YouareaSouthAmerican?"

           "No."

           "SpeakSpanish?"

           "Alittle."