"That was necessary twenty years ago, when one went to Cagliari on a horse and took three days over it. It's not the fashion now!"
"You bad child! don't you believe in God? Holy Saint Catharine, what will become of you at Cagliari? I hope you'll anyhow go to La Sea (the cathedral), where there's a picture that does miracles. Cagliari's a very pious place. You won't speak against religion, I hope?"
"Never mind Cagliari! Every one believes what he can and what he likes. I venerate God more in my heart than all the hypocrites."
These words were somewhat consolatory to the good woman. She told him the Bible story of Eli, and then let him continue the description of his visits.
The kitten had climbed on his shoulder and was licking his ear, tickling him in a way that somehow reminded him of Margherita. He was telling the vulgar joke about Carchide's engagement when Nanna came in, Aunt Tatàna having sent her to buy comfits for her sweetmeat. Her skirt was torn, and she looked even worse than usual, as she stood unrolling her package and trying to listen to the conversation.
"Did you hear," said simple Aunt Tatàna, "that horrid Franziscu Carchide wants to marry Margherita Carboni?"
"No, that's not what I said!" cried Anania.
"Oh, I know Franziscu," said Nanna, "he's mad. He asked first for the doctor's daughter. They chased him out with the broom handle, and now he thinks he'll get Margherita because he made her shoes too small."
"He wants a kick in the face!" cried Anania jumping up, the cat round his neck.
Nanna looked at him, her little eyes shining shrewdly.