“We love each other,” Chiarina said.
“Yes, always.”
A tap on the door and Anselmo came into the room. The dogs brushed against his legs as he approached the bed.
Anselmo had Chiarina sit up.
“I"m going to try to drain some of the mucus from your lungs, then change the poultices.”
“Will it hurt?
“No, but you"ll cough and spit for a while, and then you"ll feel better as you get rid of the phlegm.”
“Alright,” Chiarina said.
“Help me, Dante. Prop her up on the pillows. You"d better stay. Learn how it"s done.”
“Okay,” Dante said. “Where did you learn?
“In the army.
I still want the doctor to see you. I"ll go down to the village at dawn, and bring him next morning. It"s a good way down and there"s snow.”
“He"ll come?” Dante said.
“Yes,” Anselmo said. “Doctor Bartolemo Vico hates Fas
