Крестный отец

           TheDon,stillsittingatHagen’sdesk,inclinedhisbodytowardtheundertaker.Bonaserahesitated,thenbentdownandputhislipssoclosetotheDon’shairyearthattheytouched.DonCorleonelistenedlikeapriestintheconfessional,gazingawayintothedistance,impassive,remote.TheystoodsoforalongmomentuntilBonaserafinishedwhisperingandstraightenedtohisfullheight.TheDonlookedupgravelyatBonasera.Bonasera,hisfaceflushed,returnedthestareunflinchingly.

           FinallytheDonspoke."ThatIcannotdo.Youarebeingcarriedaway."

           Bonaserasaidloudly,clearly,"Iwillpayyouanythingyouask."Onhearingthis,Hagenflinched,anervousflickofhishead.SonnyCorleonefoldedhisarms,smiledsardonicallyasheturnedfromthewindowtowatchthesceneintheroomforthefirsttime.

           DonCorleonerosefrombehindthedesk.Hisfacewasstillimpassivebuthisvoiceranglikecolddeath."Wehaveknowneachothermanyyears,youandI,"hesaidtotheundertaker,"butuntilthisdayyounevercametomeforcounselorhelp.Ican’trememberthelasttimeyouinvitedmetoyourhouseforcoffeethoughmywifeisgodmothertoyouronlychild.Letusbefrank.Youspurnedmyfriendship.Youfearedtobeinmydebt."

           Bonaseramurmured,"Ididn’twanttogetintotrouble."

           TheDonhelduphishand."No.Don’tspeak.YoufoundAmericaaparadise.Youhadagoodtrade,youmadeagoodliving,youthoughttheworldaharmlessplacewhereyoucouldtakeyourpleasureasyouwilled.