Bell for Adano, A - John Hersey [104]
Between sobs, little Erba managed to say: “We were too late - for the feast - of the caramels.”
Little Cacopardo said: “Too late.” “For the what?”
Little Erba said: “For the picnic of caramels. We - we - are the only ones - who were left behind.”
Little Cacopardo said: “All the other children.” Major Joppolo remembered what he had told Gargano to do, and he said: “Well, never mind, we’ll take you instead to a grownup party. Come with us.”
So the Major and Tina walked on toward Quattrocchi’s house, each holding a little child by the hand. When they entered the house, the fat Craxi, who had a little too much wine in his belly, rushed forward in amazement. “Son of Mary!” he exclaimed. “He has a family! Two fine little boys” - he patted the youngsters on the head - “and a beautiful -”
He gulped when he saw that the “wife” was Tina. “Mister Major,” he said, “why did you not tell us?” But by this time the rest of the committee had come forward, and the confusion of their greetings overwhelmed Craxi’s confusion. Old Cacopardo took both his well-dressed little grandson and the ragged little Erba by their hands, and kept them with him all evening.
The party started out to be a success from everyone s point of view. The people of the town were immensely happy: they had not had such a time for years. Giuseppe, the organizer, basked in constant congratulations. There was enough champagne to suit Captain Purvis and too much to ermit him to molest any pretty girls. Craxi perpetuate his happy glow. The lazy Fatta had three drinks and then went into an empty room and fell asleep. Afronti Pietro, the loud-voiced cartman, was encouraged to shout a song for the entertainment of the guests. The maidenly Laura Sofia got Captain Purvis aside after he was fairly far along and smothered him with kisses. Nicolo and his sweetheart danced together. Sergeant Borth, who seemed to be in a terrible mood at the beginning of the party, did not move from the wine bowl, and gradually he mellowed and attached himself to the glowing Craxi.
And Major Joppolo and Tina managed quite early in the evening to slip out onto a balcony.
Tina said: “Are you happy?”
Major Joppolo said: “You asked me that the last time we were on a balcony together.”
Tina said: “I was just making conversation then.” “What are you doing now?”
“I’m asking you: are you happy?” The light place in the night that was Tina’s face turned up toward the Major’s.
“Of all the happy days I’ve had in Adano,” the Major said, “this has been - and still is - the nicest.”
“Then tell me what you promised the other day you would tell me.”
“Tell me first: have you decided what you felt about Giorgio?”
Tina said: “No.” Major Joppolo thought he detected a coquettish note in the way she said it, but then she added: “I’ll never know now.”
He said: “Why not?”
She drew away a little and said in. a very small voice: “Because I know how I feel about you.”
He went to her and without touching her said: “That was all I wanted to tell you, Tina. I know how I feel, too. I am very fond of you. I am only really happy when I am near you.”
He wanted to kiss her, but she said: “What’s that?”
He said: “What’s what?”
She said: “That noise, can’t you hear it?”
There was a murmur on the air. It had been there for some time, but the murmur of the party inside had swallowed it. Now the murmur outside seemed to be growing.
“What do you suppose it is?” he said.
“I’ve never heard anything like it,” she said.
He pointed off to the left and said: “It’s over there. What’s over in that direction?”
“Well,” she said, “there’s the Church of the Orphanage, and the house of Cacopardo, and Zapulla’s bakery, and the police station -”
“The police station!” Major Joppolo took Tina’s hand, and said: “Come with me.”
They walked to the police station, and all the way the murmur seemed to grow on the night air. By the time they got close, it had clarified into the wailing and shrieking of many children.
When the Major and Tina went in, they saw all the children