They had taken to flying low over the ruins of the stable, twittering constantly like lost souls because their nests had been burnt along with the barn. They continued to soar around the ruin for hours, as if they couldn’t resign themselves to this disaster then, at dusk, they finally scattered. Fonso arrived in the Bruni courtyard two days after Maria had returned. He found her feeding the chickens. She was so shaken at seeing him after so long that she let go of the corner of her apron and let the corn scatter all over the ground. Then she ran towards him and threw her arms around his neck. Fonso was embarrassed, knowing well what her brother thought about him, and whispered into her ear: “Maria, if Floti sees us . . . ” “Floti won’t say anything. He knows what I’ve been through because he sent me away. This time I decide: you can come see me on even days, that’s in keeping with tradition, right? Until we get married. If you still want me, that is.”
