standing up, close to his motorcycle, pensive, confused, and incredulous; and every now and then, he would turn away abruptly and angrily, as if he didn't want to – or wasn't able to – take what he was hearing seriously. And every time that he reacted that way, the girl grew more excited and solemn, as if she were multiplying her efforts to be and to seem convincing. At times, the intensity and the agitation were such that it almost seemed that the two were fighting.

The round-shouldered old woman would have liked to hear what they were saying, but her curiosity, which was still lively, was not assisted by her hearing, which had worn out over the years; and the wind scattered the words of the two young people into the void, as they continued on like this, arguing in that way, for two full hours. Suddenly, however, they calmed down, as if they had reached some conclusion and were getting ready for something. The pious old woman saw the girl fasten a sort of watch or bracelet on her friend's wrist and maneuver the motorcycle for a moment. The young man seemed cross and annoyed. Then she turned toward him, and approaching him, she