Крестный отец

           Whenthebereavedfamilycameatnighttoreceivetheirbloodrelativesandtheirfriendsbesidethecoffinoftheirlovedone,theyneededAmerigoBonaserawiththem.

           Forhewasastrictchaperonetodeath.Hisfacealwaysgrave,yetstrongandcomforting,hisvoiceunwavering,yetmutedtoalowregister,hecommandedthemourningritual.Hecouldquietgriefthatwastoounseemly,hecouldrebukeunrulychildrenwhoseparentshadnotthehearttochastise.Nevercloyinginthetenderofhiscondolences,yetneverwasheoffhand.OnceafamilyusedAmerigoBonaseratospeedalovedoneon,theycamebacktohimagainandagain.Andhenever,never,desertedoneofhisclientsonthatterriblelastnightaboveground.

           Usuallyheallowedhimselfalittlenapaftersupper.Thenhewashedandshavedafresh,talcumpowdergenerouslyusedtoshroudtheheavyblackbeard.Amouthwashalways.Herespectfullychangedintofreshlinen,whitegleamingshirt,theblacktie,afreshlypresseddarksuit,dullblackshoesandblacksocks.Andyettheeffectwascomfortinginsteadofsomber.Healsokepthishairdyedblack,anunheard-offrivolityinanItalianmaleofhisgeneration;butnotoutofvanity.Simplybecausehishairhadturnedalivelypepperandsalt,acolorwhichstruckhimasunseemlyforhisprofession.

           Afterhefinishedhissoup,hiswifeplacedasmallsteakbeforehimwithafewforkfulsofgreenspinachoozingyellowoil.Hewasalighteater.WhenhefinishedthishedrankacupofcoffeeandsmokedanotherCamelcigarette.