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However, his patience ran out too quickly.
With her back turned towards him, the offended Giulia was sitting aloof and thoughtfully picking at the ground. After some reflection Ivan took the jacket and started walking towards her slowly. She heard his footsteps, shuddered, shot a furious look at him, and then jumped to her feet and beat a retreat. He slowly climbed the knoll and stopped. He had to wait or, maybe, go—he simply did not know what to do. Giulia ran farther down the meadow and, without looking back, hid behind a huge stone, whose massive top protruded over the grass.
He threw the jacket to the ground and lay down upon it on his stomach, determined to wait and see what would happen next.
The air grew hot. Heated by the sun and overgrown with grass that was as coarse as th
