One cold and rainy morning, after Holy Mass, the young man was hurrying down toward his house.
«Zanino!»
He immediately recognized the deep voice of the parish priest, and jumped with surprise and fear. The day before, he had let slip a certain lascivious compliment to a cousin. Had that traitor told on him? Now he would be subjected to a long lecture, and who knows what penance he would have to endure for forgiveness. Turning around, he lowered his head and awaited his reprimand in silence.
«Son, I'll be waiting for you this evening before dark, with your brother. See to it that you are punctual.»
As soon as he arrived home, he warned Bastiano.
«What have you done this time? Who were you rude to? You'd better make up your mind to watch your tongue, before someone cuts it off!»
The b
