Why still, still within him, did the despairing cry
ofprotest sound: No, this is not it!
But do you know what the wordjustice means to the
peasants and sulphur workers of Sicily? And my father-in-law, for the sake of Italy,
letting theCarolino at Palermo go all to pot.
I,myself, for ten years and more, a star and a
slave.
Each of them formed the centre of one of the three
groups that hadcollected in the room.
Why still, still within him, did the despairing cry
ofprotest sound: No, this is not it! You are inflicting an inhuman torture on
me!
He looked Giulio in the face, as though he wereonly
now conscious of his presence in the room:What? Well then,gentlemen, what is to be
our conclusion? As those poor peasants knew only toowell who had been shot down at
Caltavuturo. How could anyone arrest three hundred thousand men? And with her
appearance, what more do you want? Bruno thumpedthe table with his fist to command
silence. Spiridione Covazza, his arms folded on his breast, shook his head
indissent. Guilty or innocent, replied Giulio, quivering with rage, that isnot the
point!
Covazza howhis members were counted and how many
there were.
The whole party turned as one man and moved towards
Lando Laurentanoas he hurried into the room. It is enough for me to know that he is
honest,in my own conscience!
Nothing, strictly speaking,ever comes to a
conclusion, because we are all part of eternal nature.
Ah,he travelled up with me, that
gentleman!
Giulio declined the offer, in a burst of scorn. She
held out her hand to Lando Laurentano and said:Excuse me. A furore, take myword for
it: shell create a furore!
Who ever believes in the defence, in thewords of a
man who has been in prison?
With tight shut eyes, set teeth and lips parted,
dry and bitter, herubbed his hands vigorously.
When I have told you all, will you give me your
help?
He appeared to befull of confidence and sure of a
triumph.
Who would believe in his honesty to-morrow, ifhe
were arrested today? Well then,gentlemen, what is to be our conclusion? The whole
socialcarcass was rotting, and with it his soul, all his thoughts, all
hisfeelings.
There are here to-day, in Rome, two generations,
face toface. It is enough for me to know that he is honest,in my own conscience! You
should be ashamed of youraccusations! A serious movement, such asyou have in mind,
is not yet possible in Sicily!
Anecessity to which one must turn a blind eye, or,
if one eye was notsufficient, both.
What guidance could such an uncle give
him?
They are empty shadows, gentlemen, merenames and
nothing more! Guilty or innocent, replied Giulio, quivering with rage, that isnot
the point! We are men, and we are methere for the purpose.