Magicians of Caprona - Diana Wynne Jones [65]
Tonino and Angelica were almost too surprised and grateful to speak. And while they were still trying to say thank you, the Duke jumped upright, staring pop-eyed.
“She’s coming! I’ve got an instinct. Quick! Get in my pockets!”
He turned around sideways to the desk and held one pocket of his coat stretched against it, between two fingers. Angelica hastily lifted the pocket flap and slid down between the two layers of cloth. The Duke stubbed out his cigar on the edge of the desk and popped it in after her. Then he turned around and held the other pocket open for Tonino. As Tonino crouched down in fuzzy darkness, he heard the door open and the voice of the Duchess.
“My lord, you’ve been smoking cigars in here again.”
Chapter 13
Paolo woke up that morning knowing that he was going to have to look for Tonino himself. If his father, and Rinaldo, and then Rosa and Marco, all refused to try, then there was no use asking anyone else.
He sat up and realized that the Casa was full of unusual noises. Below in the yard, the gate was open. He could hear the voices of Elizabeth, Aunt Anna, Aunt Maria and Cousin Claudia, who were bringing the day’s bread.
“Just look at the Angel!” he heard his mother say. “Now what did that?”
“It’s because we’ve stopped our spells,” said Cousin Claudia.
Following that came a single note of song from Aunt Anna, cut off short with a squeak. Aunt Maria said angrily, “No spells, Anna! Think of Tonino!”
This was intriguing, but what really interested Paolo were the noises behind the voices: marching feet, orders being shouted, a drum beating, horses’ hooves, heavy rumbling and some cursing. Paolo shot out of bed. It must be the army.
“Hundreds of them,” he heard Aunt Anna say.
“Most of them younger than my Domenico,” said Aunt Maria. “Claudia, take this basket while I shut the gate. All going to face three armies without a war-scrip between them. I could cry!”
Paolo shot along the gallery, pulling on his jacket, and hurried down the steps into the cold yellow sunlight. He was too late. The gate was barred and the war noises shut out. The ladies were crossing the yard with their baskets.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Elizabeth called to him. “No one’s going out today. There’s going to be fighting. The schools are all closed.”
They put down their baskets to open the kitchen door. Paolo saw them recoil, with cries of dismay.
“Good Lord!” said Elizabeth.
“Don’t anyone tell Gina!” said Aunt Maria.
At the same moment, someone knocked heavily at the Casa gate.
“See who that is, Paolo,” called Aunt Anna.
Paolo went under the archway and undid the flap of the peephole. He was pleased to have this chance to see the army, and pleased that the schools were shut. He had not intended to go to school today anyway.
There was a man in uniform outside, who shouted, “Open and receive this, in the name of the Duke!” Behind him, Paolo caught glimpses of shiny marching boots and more uniforms. He unbarred the gate.
Meanwhile, it became plain that Aunt Gina was not to be kept away from the kitchen. Her feet clattered on the stairs. There was a stunned pause. Then the whole Casa filled with her voice.
“Oh my God! Mother of God! Insects!” It even drowned the noise of the military band that was marching past as Paolo opened the gate.
The man outside thrust a sheet of paper at Paolo and darted off to hammer on the next door. Paolo looked at it. He had a mad idea that he had just been handed the words to the Angel. After that, he went on staring, oblivious alike of Aunt Gina—who was now screaming what she was going to do to Lucia—and of the great gun that went rumbling past, pulled by four straining horses.
State of Caprona, Paolo read, Form FR3 Call Up of Final Reservists. The following to report to the Arsenal for immediate duty at 03.00 hrs, January 14th, 1979: Antonio Montana, Lorenzo Montana, Piero Montana, Ricardo Montana, Arturo Montana (ne Notti), Carlo Montana, Luigi Montana, Angelo Montana, Luca Montana, Giovanni Montana, Piero Iacopo Montana, Rinaldo Montana,