Крестный отец

           Michaelgavehimacoldstare.Uptonowhehadbeenaquiet,gentleyoungman,atypicalAmerican,exceptthatsincehewashidinginSicilyhemusthavedonesomethingmanly.ThiswasthefirsttimetheshepherdshadseentheCorleonestare.DonTommasino,knowingMichael’strueidentityanddeed,hadalwaysbeenwaryofhim,treatinghimasafellow"manofrespect."ButtheseunsophisticatedsheepherdershadcometotheirownopinionofMichael,andnotawiseone.Thecoldlook,Michael’srigidwhiteface,hisangerthatcameoffhimlikecoldsmokeoffice,soberedtheirlaughterandsnuffedouttheirfamiliarfriendliness.

           Whenhesawhehadtheirproper,respectfulattentionMichaelsaidtothem,"Getthatmanoutheretome."

           Theydidn’thesitate.Theyshoulderedtheirluparasandwentintothedarkcoolnessofthecafe.Afewsecondslatertheyreappearedwiththecafeownerbetweenthem.Thestubbymanlookedinnowayfrightenedbuthisangerhadacertainwarinessaboutit.

           Michaelleanedbackinhischairandstudiedthemanforamoment.Thenhesaidveryquietly,"IunderstandI’veoffendedyoubytalkingaboutyourdaughter.Iofferyoumyapologies,I’mastrangerinthiscountry,idon’tknowthecustomsthatwell.Letmesaythis.Imeantnodisrespecttoyouorher."

           Theshepherdbodyguardswereimpressed.Michael’svoicehadneversoundedlikethisbeforewhenspeakingtothem.Therewascommandandauthorityinitthoughhewasmakinganapology.