“Where are you keeping yourself?” she asked.

“Here I am, reading a little.”

“But my dear man, we are waiting for you.”

“What for?”

“The idea, what for? To talk.”

“I don’t feel like talking. I am very tired.”

“But, bambino; Benedetto. Are you going to live your life avoiding everybody?”

“No; I will come out tomorrow.”

“What do you want to do tonight?”

“Tonight! Nothing.”