Крестный отец

           Aftertheintroductions,whichMichaeldidnotevenhear,theysatintheroomthatmightpossiblyhavebeenalivingroomorjustaseasilytheformaldiningroom.ItwasclutteredwithallkindsoffurnitureandnotverylargebutforSicilyitwasmiddle-classsplendor.

           MichaelgaveSignorVitelliandSignoraVitellitheirpresents.Forthefatheritwasagoldcigar-cutter,forthemotheraboltofthefinestclothpurchasableinPalermo.Hestillhadonepackageforthegirl.Hispresentswerereceivedwithreservedthanks.Thegiftswerealittletoopremature,heshouldnothavegivenanythinguntilhissecondvisit.

           Thefathersaidtohim,inman-to-mancountryfashion,"Don’tthinkwe’resoofnoaccounttowelcomestrangersintoourhousesoeasily.ButDonTommasinovouchedforyoupersonallyandnobodyinthisprovincewouldeverdoubtthewordofthatgoodman.Andsowemakeyouwelcome.ButImusttellyouthatifyourintentionsareseriousaboutmydaughter,wewillhavetoknowalittlemoreaboutyouandyourfamily.Youcanunderstand,yourfamilyisfromthiscountry."

           Michaelnoddedandsaidpolitely,"Iwilltellyouanythingyouwishtoknowanytime."

           SignorVitelliheldupahand."I’mnotanosyman.Let’sseeifit’snecessaryfirst.Rightnowyou’rewelcomeinmyhouseasafriendofDonTommasino."

           Despitethedrugpaintedinsidehisnose,Michaelactuallysmelledthegirl’spresenceintheroom.Heturnedandshewasstandinginthearcheddoorwaythatledtothebackofthehouse.