“It’s a long, long way to Vinci...and alone!”
“Salai is returning to Florence soon...”
“But I can’t...”
“You should see your family. People in Vinci would like to hear about us, how we’re getting along. We have money enough.”
Abruptly, hands to her face, she got up, and shuffled away. “I’m too old,” she said.
Cloux
As we rode along the Loire, following the river road, Francesco and I talked:
“So you received a letter from your mother yesterday? How are things at Vaprio?”
“Quiet...everyone is well. Papa has fully recovered. Mama says that conditions are very bad in Milan...fighting in the streets...hungry mobs...looting.”