“Signora, did you see him?”
“Yes.”
“He is glad to be out of prison. He is gay, but he looks wicked.”
She did not understand what he meant. She walked on and came into the road that leads to the tunnel. She turned mechanically towards the tunnel, drawn by the darkness.
“But, Signora, this is not the way! This is the way to Fuorigrotta!”
“Oh!”
She went towards the sea. She was thinking of the green parrot expanding and contracting the pupils of its round, ironic eyes.
“Was Maddalena pleased to see him? Was Donna Teresa pleased?”
Hermione stood still.
“What are you talking about?”