Chapter 18

           AmerigoBonaseralivedonlyafewblocksfromhisundertakingestablishmentonMulberryStreetandsoalwayswenthomeforsupper.Eveningshereturnedtohisplaceofbusiness,dutifullyjoiningthosemournerspayingtheirrespectstothedeadwholayinstateinhissomberparlors.

           Healwaysresentedthejokesmadeabouthisprofession,themacabretechnicaldetailswhichweresounimportant.Ofcoursenoneofhisfriendsorfamilyorneighborswouldmakesuchjokes.Anyprofessionwasworthyofrespecttomenwhoforcenturiesearnedbreadbythesweatoftheirbrows.

           Nowatsupperwithhiswifeintheirsolidlyfurnishedapartment,giltstatuesoftheVirginMarywiththeirred-glassedcandlesflickeringonthesideboard,BonaseralitaCamelcigaretteandtookarelaxingglassofAmericanwhiskey.Hiswifebroughtsteamingplatesofsouptothetable.Thetwoofthemwerealonenow;hehadsenthisdaughtertoliveinBostonwithhermother’ssister,whereshecouldforgetherterribleexperienceandherinjuriesatthehandsofthetworuffiansDonCorleonehadpunished.

           Astheyatetheirsouphiswifeasked,"Areyougoingbacktoworktonight?"

           AmerigoBonaseranodded.Hiswiferespectedhisworkbutdidnotunderstandit.Shedidnotunderstandthatthetechnicalpartofhisprofessionwastheleastimportant.Shethought,likemostotherpeople,thathewaspaidforhisskillinmakingthedeadlooksolifelikeintheircoffins.Andindeedhisskillinthiswaslegendary.Butevenmoreimportant,evenmorenecessarywashisphysicalpresenceatthewake.