Journal of Italian Translation - Brooklyn College - Academic Home ...

Blossom S. Kirschenbaum / Stefano Benni
plenty of women.
“But I was never so heroically impassioned and defeated,
never desired a woman with such great torment, to me nothing is
more dear and cruel than that memory.
“For this, today I yield my enterprise to you, buyer friends. I
yield it in an unforeseen and inexplicable way, someone has said.
But there is a motive in my haste, and in my desire to conclude
everything today.”
The old man closed his eyes and for a moment he seemed
oveRcome with emotion, then he resumed:
“For almost fifty years, every day of the year I sent a rose to
Florence. Without seeking to see her again, without a card, only
one anonymous and splendid rose, different every time. But I
won’t be sending them any more. Three days ago I learned that
she is dead. Nothing interests me any more in this world. The
flowers that I have developed, my business, my fortune, were born
and grew to heal the wound of that day. I know that many of you
consider me a cynical and unscrupulous operator. Maybe I am
that, or have been that. But even my thorns have a flower. The
flower is a memory. Now you know the truth. Pardon me, if I
have bored you with an old man’s sad story.”
A moment of silence passed. Then the leather chairs creaked,
a buzzing arose, and one of those present got to his feet. He was a
man with a leonine white mane, another boss, as was demonstrated
by the fact that he had been seated opposite the old man.
He spoke, and he was not ashamed that his eyes were full of tears.
“It’s a very lovely story, Commendatore. We are honored to
be acquiring your business and to be carrying forward your work,
born in a manner so unfortunate and noble. We will sign the contract
this very day.”
“Thank you,” said the old man, “and good luck.”
He went out leaning on his cane, accompanied by the secretary.
From all those around him he felt the commiserating and
admiring eyes.
He retired to his private office. His secretary served him a
cup of tea. He took a sip, then laughed.
“They lapped it up …”
“I think so,” said the secretary.
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