"No, nothing will be different. And then—if there were no children—they will only chain me faster to that stone that is dragging me down and trampling on me. Would you like to know something? Well, my real husband is Costantino Ledda, and——"
"And I'll stop your mouth! You are beside yourself, my soul; be quiet!"
"—and if he comes back," Giovanna went on, "I'll not be able to return to him on account of having children."
"I will stop your mouth," repeated Aunt Bachissia, trembling and rising to her feet with a movement as though she were about to put her threat into execution. There was no need, however, for Giovanna saw her mother-in-law coming across the common and broke off.
Aunt Martina, spinning as she walked, slowly approached the two women. "Taking the air?" she enquired, without raising her eyes from the whirling spindle.
"Fine air! The heat is suffocating. Ah, to-night we may get some rain," replied Aunt Bachissia.
"It undoubtedly is going to rain; let us hope there will be no thunder, I am so afraid of thunder. The devil empties out his bag of nuts then. I hope and trust Brontu will be in before evening. What shall we have for supper, Giovanna?"
"Whatever you like."
"Are you going to stay out here? Don't run any risks; it might be bad for you."
"What will be bad for me?"