39Every time he came to Messer Manisante’s house, Paolo would lose his smile and be overcome by a strange sense of subjection that prevented him from behaving freely. He preferred to meet his companion at the tavern, in absolute equality. But that evening he had insisted for him to go to his house.
He crossed the threshold determined not to be intimidated and assert his rights. The doctor could not afford to quit the game now at the best part. The ten-year break had been hard to bear. It is true though, that thanks to a pair of peasant girls and a couple of prostitutes, he had kept his hand in but it was really nothing compared to the pleasure he could experience working with this man. Eliminating low-class women was the same as pulling the necks of chickens or rabbits. No one would care
