Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

1
3 8 .MILl TAR Y LIFE.
" That is all," she said, turning around ;
and a moment later :
"You can close it."
She lowered the lid, pressed
it with her hand, but did not
succeed in closing it; she placed her knee upon it, pushing back
with her elbows those who tried to help ;
her foot slipped, she
tottered . . .
" Mother ! what are you doing " ? we all exclaimed, catching
hold of her.
A rap at the door ; it was the porter who had come to fetch
the trunk.
" Here " already
? exclaimed my mother, turning around
sharply, in a tone of disagreeable surprise. "Take it."
The porter placed the trunk on his shoulders.
" To the barracks of Porta Susa," I said.
" I know where it is," he replied in moving off.
" "
Stop
! exclaimed my mother suddenly ;
the latter turned.
" Be careful (she tried to think of something to say) be
"
careful not to let it fall !
"Don't be afraid."
Out he went ; my
watched him down the stairs. .
mother accompanied him to the door,
" He has disappeared
"
;
she
pressed her lip together violently, and conquered the rising
tears. She returned as impassible as before, and I began to
grow alarmed.
Here is the beneficent executioner.
"
Good-evening." No one
replied; he understood, looked me in the face, and I raised my
head. " That 's right ;
that 's not bad," he seemed to say ;
and
we all passed into the neighboring room, where we seat ourselves
in a circle. No one spoke. We heard the rustle of a dress,
the door opened, and the strong-minded lady appeared. All
rose to their feet.