Hermione thought of the brown body she had seen falling through the shining air, of the gay splash as it entered the water.
“I know your son so well that I should like to know his mother,” she said.
Fabiano by this time had moved aside, and the two women were confronting each other in the doorway. Behind Maddalena the two other women stared and listened with all their might, giving their whole attention to this unexpected scene.
“Are you the Signora of the island?” asked Maddalena.
“Yes, I am.”
“Let the Signora in, Donna Maddalena,” said Fabiano. “She is tired and wants to rest.”
Without saying anything Maddalena moved her broad body from the doorway, leaving enough space for Hermione to enter.
“Thank you,” said Hermione to Fabiano, giving him a couple of lire.
“Grazie, Signora. I will wait down-stairs to take you back.”
He went off before she had time to tell him that was not necessary.