XVII
The wrought-iron and skillfully worked balconies had been thoroughly cleaned by the house cleaners, just like every week. It was early afternoon on a Saturday and the colors of the trees and the chirping of the swallows seemed to celebrate the sun and the sea and the beginning of summer. The bell of the Mother Church had just signed two long chimes. The two-story building stood in front of the imposing Basilica of the village; and the adjacent building which housed the circle of nobles, after the restoration of the façade, showed less of its age. On the yard of the town hall, to the right of the large square, the flag of the Italian monarchy was waving in the lazy breeze.
Two girls came out. They had a small watering can each, and they fed the plants of geranium placed in the pot co
