I don’t know why, but on the spur of the moment, I put up a ridiculous bluff.
“I’m the boss of a company,” I said proudly.
It was true, but the truth was very near a falsehood. My “company” only consisted of Capi.
“Oh, will you…” began Mattia.
“What?”
“Take me in your company?”
Not wishing to deceive him, I smiled and pointed to Capi.
“But that is all the company I have,” I said.
“Well, what does that matter? I’ll be another. Oh, please don’t leave me; I shall die of hunger!”
Die of hunger! His words seemed to strike my very heart. I knew what it would be to die of hunger.