Крестный отец

           InreturnVitogaveTessioafreehandinBrooklynwhilehekeptClemenza’sBronxlifeverymuchunderhisthumb.Clemenzawasthebraver,morereckless,thecruelermandespitehisoutwardjollity,andneededatighterrein.

           TheGreatDepressionincreasedthepowerofVitoCorleone.AndindeeditwasaboutthattimehecametobecalledDonCorleone.Everywhereinthecity,honestmenbeggedforhonestworkinvain.Proudmendemeanedthemselvesandtheirfamiliestoacceptofficialcharityfromacontemptuousofficialdom.ButthemenofDonCorleonewalkedthestreetswiththeirheadsheldhigh,theirpocketsstuffedwithsilverandpapermoney.Withnofearoflosingtheirjobs.AndevenDonCorleone,thatmgtmodestofmen,couldnothelpfeelingasenseofpride.Hewastakingcareofhisworld,hispeople.Hehadnotfailedthosewhodependedonhimandgavehimthesweatoftheirbrows,riskedtheirfreedomandtheirlivesinhisservice.Andwhenanemployeeofhiswasarrestedandsenttoprisonbysomemischance,thatunfortunateman’sfamilyreceivedalivingallowance;andnotamiserly,beggarly,begrudgingpittancebutthesameamountthemanearnedwhenfree.

           ThisofcoursewasnotpureChristiancharity.NothisbestfriendswouldhavecalledDonCorleoneasaintfromheaven.Therewassomeself-interestinthisgenerosity.Anemployeesenttoprisonknewhehadonlytokeephismouthshutandhiswifeandchildrenwouldbecaredfor.Heknewthatifhedidnotinformtothepoliceawarmwelcomewouldbehiswhenheleftprison.