"FOUR STEPS IN THE CLOUDS" "Shut off the alarm." "It'll wake up the children." "I'm looking for that 'thing"!" "Ouch!" " You will wake everyone up." " Alright." "I have to get up, walk..." "When you go out, don't make the usual noise!" " Boil the milk for the kids." " Alright." " Softly, remember!" " Yes, yes." "I won't make noise." "You should respect who is sleeping!" "The lid was missing." "If there was some order here..." "Pots, stirring spoons and lids, are all together." "Always like this!" " I never find anything!" " Forget it." "I'll do it." "I have given up!" "Where is the milk?" " I always have to get up at 6!" " You could've slept more." "Slept?" "With all your commotion?" "First the alarm, then you start walking around..." "I have to get dressed!" "You're making the house fall apart!" "I don't have fun leaving every morning at this hour!" "Speak softly!" "Poor Teodoro got in very late!" "Poor thing!" "I don't feel sorry for your brother." " He's always at the cafe." " You never turn off the light!" "And in the morning he stays in bed until late!" "No." "He is looking for a job." "It's not his fault if he can't find one." "He's looking for a comfortable job." ""Little effort and lots of money. "" "He's been looking for 2 years." "He could find one if he wanted to." "Yeah, being a salesman like you!" "Great job!" "Working from morning till night to earn just enough to survive." "Leave me money." "You spent what I gave you the other day?" "How far can 500 Lira get me?" "I paid for gas, electricity, grocer and sewing machine instalment." "The shoemaker is to be paid." "He repaired the kids' shoes." " The baker, the rent!" " Now I can give you this." "We'll pay the bills at the end of the month with what I earn." " Where is the samples case?" " There, on the chair." "It must not be left around!" " The kids eat everything!" " They didn't touch it." " Give me the money." " Here." "Even if they eat a chocolate, it's no big deal!" "How can I tell you that the samples are not to be touched?" "If they eat the chocolates, what'll I show the customers?" "Don't exaggerate!" "Stop it." "I'm fed up with customers, and with my family!" "I can't stand it anymore!" "Wait!" "You're not having milk and coffee?" " I've no time." " When are you coming back?" "I don't know!" "Tomorrow, the next day..." "When I finish my round." "Sir, the paper!" " Yes, it's taken." " By who?" "The train left and nobody is here!" "What a guy!" " Hi, Magnaghi." " Hi, Bianchi!" " Here he is." "See?" " What?" "Your place!" " Okay." "Excuse me." " Come on, come on." " Come on." " You're always lucky!" "I haven't seen you in a long time." "Are you going to Santa Maura?" "Yes." "Do me a favour." "Sit over here." "If I sit in the opposite direction..." " This train is always crowded!" " Never seen anything like it." "Every morning the same thing." "I feel like doing something else!" "Like what?" "I've gotten used to it." "Passenger are really ugly people." "They seem like nice people, but they become animals on the train." "Excuse me." "And the women..." "To get a place they make weary and forlorn expressions." "Or they smile invitingly." "But when they sit down, they ignore you." "They don't fool me." "You still sell perfumes?" "No." "I changed." "Chocolate and candies." "A good article." "It's a bit capricious, but sells well during holidays!" " But it's dangerous." " How is that?" "At home, with the kids..." "I chose a sure item:" "Medicines." "Thank heavens people are sick all year round." "Miss, miss." " Excuse me." "That is my seat." " I thought it was vacant." " Nothing was left on it." " I left the timetable." " Here it is." " Sorry." "I didn't see it." " I'm very sorry, Miss." " It doesn't matter." "It is my place." "Right!" "Always a gentleman with pretty girls!" "Poor thing." "I felt sorry for her, standing up." "Thank God I don't feel sorry for anyone!" "I'll remain standing, but I won't give my seat to anyone!" "What if I want to sit later?" "I'm right, huh?" "Sure." " She is a pretty girl." " What girl?" "The one you gave your seat to." " I didn't even look at her." " Too bad." "Take a look." "She has pretty legs." "I don't feel like looking at her legs." "You don't like affairs on trains?" "I am an expert." "Every time I get on a train, I explore the situation." " When I find the right type..." " Ticket." "Subscriber." "Go on." "Tickets, please." " Excuse me." " One minute." "Ticket, miss." " Ticket." " Thanks." "I can't find it." "Find it?" "I don't understand." "I put it here." "Excuse me a minute." " Sure you bought one?" " Very sure." " I couldn't have lost it." " Then where is it?" "I don't know." "Where did I put it?" "Miss, I have no time to lose." "If you don't find it, you must buy another one." "Where are you going?" "Let her look for it calmly." "Maybe she will find it." "No "maybe"." "I can't spend the whole day here!" " I have other tickets to check." " Go, and then come back." "If the lady hasn't found it, she'll buy another one." "You don't have to tell me what to do!" "It's ridiculous to buy another ticket if she finds hers." "I'll show you if it's absurd!" "Where are you going?" "Here it is!" "See?" " Thanks." " Thank you." "You said you had a subscription." "Let me see." " You too." " Of course." "The subscription booklet." " Well?" " Relax." "It is inside." "No, don't move." " Give it to me." " Thanks." " Well?" "The booklet?" " Just a minute." "I can't find it." "Excuse me, Miss." "I don't understand." "It's not here either." " Give it to me." " Thanks." "I must have left it at home." "He knows I have a subscription." "Sure." "We've been riding this way a long time." "You mind your own business." "Do you have the booklet or not?" " I left it at home." " Then get off at the next stop." "Impossible." "I must go to Santa Maura for my work." "I don't care." "Get off at Volpiana." "I'll buy a ticket for Santa Maura." "No." "That is too easy." "Get ready." "There buses are leaving!" "I can't stay here all day." " Don't tell me about it." " Who should I tell?" "Here I am, Mr. Antonio!" " Go over there and help out." " Alright." " The buses are leaving." " Dead track!" " Excuse me." " Don't rush." "There's time." " If you rush..." " Sure!" " Will it take long?" " Two 3rd class tickets to Leonessa." "Okay." "It's useless to get upset." "When they say you are a subscriber at the central station..." " Two 3rd class tickets to Leonessa." " How is that possible?" " The harvest went well, huh?" " Yes." "I told you it would." " Mariuccia is fine?" " Yes." "The harvest is okay, and so is Mariuccia..." " What if they don't answer." " Who?" " At the central station." " You'll stay here." "Here?" "I already lost the train, and now you'll make me lose the bus!" " I don't get money off trees." " Calm down or you're in trouble." "I was kind enough to telephone!" "Hello?" "Who?" "Oh, yes?" "Are you sure?" "Just a minute." "Yes, okay." "Okay." "Goodbye." " Well?" " You can go." " One minute." "Your ID." " My ID card now?" "I'm sorry, but..." "Relax, relax." "You won't find anything if you hurry." "Here." "The bus, chief!" " Goodbye." " Hey, you!" "Your suitcase!" "See?" "If you hurry..." "Yeah, if I hurry..." "Stop!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Stop!" " Does this go to Castel Bianco?" " Yes." " Just in time!" " Don't get your hopes up." "Look what happened to me!" "This is the lady's place." "This one is vacant." "Thanks." "Hello." "Hey, conductor!" "We are already 13 minutes late!" "These things don't happen in northern Italy!" " Call him!" " Antonio!" "I'm coming!" "Just a minute!" "Meanwhile, check the water and oil and the tires!" "This is too much!" "We have to wait for his whims to leave!" " What's he doing in that house?" " He lives there." "It's his house." "He said he'd be right back!" "He'll make us lose our connection!" " It's 8:20." " We were to leave at 8:10." " Why doesn't it leave?" " There is no driver." "He's at home." "It is indecent!" "He doesn't give a darn about us!" " I've never seen anything like it." " Throw him out the window!" " Antonio!" " Antonio!" " Antonio, well?" " Antonio!" " Antonio!" " He came down." " Finally!" " Here I am!" "I'm here." " Shall we go." " Yes, let's go." " Damned job!" " We are late." " I know." "Check the oil." " It's been done." " The water." " That, too." "We can't stay here all day!" "No." "Let's go!" "It seems that the driver enjoys wasting time." "Does it take so long to put it in first gear?" "Why are we all here, waiting for him?" " Young man, are we leaving?" " Sure." "I'm ready!" " Oh!" " Watch out!" " Let's hope this time he leaves." " Where is he going?" "Driver!" " Driver!" " Are we going back?" "Antonio!" "It's a boy!" "It's a boy!" " It's a boy!" " A boy?" " Is he crazy?" " What is this?" "We must understand him." "He just had a little boy." "He was expecting him any minute." "Now we understand!" " That's why he wasn't leaving?" " Right." " What would you have done?" " He could've told us." "If transportation stops for every child that is born..." "Right." " Do you have children?" " Me?" "No!" " That's obvious." " What do you mean?" "I mean it's obvious." "I have four, and if I knew how to drive, I'd take over the wheel, so that young man could stay with his newborn son." "Yes." "There's nothing like a child." " A boy?" " Yes, a boy." "There he is!" "Excuse me, but I just had a son." "My first born!" "You could have told us you were having a baby!" "When a son is about to be born..." "Luckily, it's a son." "If it was a girl, we wouldn't leave." "He was to be born last night, but the hours went by and... nothing!" "I was afraid that rascal would be born after I'd left." "Instead, right at the last minute!" "You should hear how he screams!" "Have him become a tenor." "No." "I prefer if he becomes a lawyer." " What will you name him?" " Giuseppe, like my father!" "And like Garibaldi!" "He was right to make us wait." "It's nice to see him so happy about his little boy." "Miss." " Miss, are you sick?" " It's nothing." "Thank you." "Sorry if it's not my business, but you're crying." "Can I do something?" "Thanks." "You're very kind, but it's nothing." "I don't even know why." "I guess I was just touched." "Oh..." "You are a good child!" " You are touched for the baby." " Yes, but it's over now." "That good man's happiness is really touching." "Look at him." "He has gone crazy." "May the Lord help us!" " Watch out!" " Relax." "Just because he was born, don't make us die!" "Die?" "What's the fright?" "Where I from, buses speed twice as fast." "Oh, sure!" "Something to make life sweeter." "I'm sorry I was the cause of that accident." " What accident?" " The train conductor." "It doesn't matter." "It was my fault!" "Sometimes people get nervous and lose their patience..." " Here." " No, thanks." " They are good." " I'm sure they are." " Weren't you going to Santa Maura?" " I'm going to Castel Bianco now." "It's the same for my job." "Come on." "Pick one." "These liquorice ones are very good." "Thanks." "I'll eat it later." " You're going to Castel Bianco?" " No, to the Madonna intersection." "I see." "Giovanni, Francesca!" "Gas!" "Hurry up." "Open the hood." " Giovanni..." " Any news?" "Gas for the car and for the passengers!" "A boy!" " Boy?" " Boy!" "With these nice shoulders, he had to have been a boy!" "Good." "I am really happy!" "What're you doing here?" "Go get the flasks." "My friend is offering a glass to everyone." "We'll lose the connection!" "For 5 minutes?" "We'll make them up along the way." "My God!" "All we needed was Giovanni!" "This trip will never end." " Is your intersection far?" " Behind the hills, I think." "It seems like such a long time..." "With all his friends, you won't get there before tomorrow morning." "It doesn't matter." "I'd like to never get there." "I wish this bus would continue..." "until I don't know where." "Teacher, drink to my Giuseppe's health." "For the many times he will make you angry at school." "Thanks." " Don't bother." " Why not?" " It's bad for my stomach." "I can't." " Not even for me!" "If I drink just a little..." "I can't see anymore." "Too bad." "It's good." "You can!" "Drink to the health of my Giuseppe!" " Enough." "It's too much!" " Madam, it's not bad for you." "To the health of your children, or of those who will come." " Best wishes." " Cheers." "Best wishes and thanks." " Thank you." "How is it?" " Good." "Hear that?" "He thought we were husband and wife." "Right." "Francesco, get on!" "No, we're going to Campolo." "Tomorrow there's the fair." "You're walking?" "Our car doesn't need gas." " Yes, the 'footcar"." " Come with me, all of you!" "Today nobody will walk!" "The company is paying!" " Thanks." " Hop aboard, everyone." "All aboard!" " Congratulations!" " Bye, friend!" " What did I tell you?" " I knew it'd end up like this!" "It could have been worse." " Did you hurt yourself?" " No." "I was just frightened." "Darn it!" " What will we do?" " We can't go on." "We need a track to pull us out." "The axle is on the ground." "Do we have to wait for a truck?" "That's a disaster!" "Who was getting off at the Madonna intersection?" " Me." " Well, this is it." "You need a little patience." "Patience?" "These things don't happen where I come from!" " What a mess." " You're in commerce, too?" " Yes." " Do you buy?" " No, I sell." " What?" " Candies, chocolates." " What company?" "A big one." "You want to see the samples?" "Antonio, I found a truck." "It'll be here shortly." "Good!" "Meanwhile, they're giving a concert!" " Tasty." " They're milk chocolate." "There are ones with liqueur." " What do you think?" " Not bad." "They are the best." "If you take the whole package, it's a deal." " How many did you say?" " 2,500." " Including shipment." " Of course." "We northerners don't use many words." "It's a deal!" "Very good." "I'll have it shipped this week" " to the Campolo grocery store." " Right." " Would you sign here?" " Alright." "A gift to the Mrs." " What Mrs.?" " Your wife!" "Thanks." "Miss, are you leaving?" "I wanted to say goodbye, but you were busy and..." "Yes." "If I may, I will carry it." "We're not leaving yet." " You're very kind." "Thanks." " I must thank you." "What for?" "It is also thanks to you if I made that deal." " I also bring best wishes." " Best wishes?" "Yes, from the Campolo grocer." "He said best wishes to the Mrs." " What is wrong?" " Nothing, nothing." " Are you sick?" " No, no." "Yes, you are." "I've watched you all morning." "Your face..." "Earlier you said you hoped we would never arrive." "When you heard talk about the baby, you started crying." "Why?" "Why did you start crying when they talked about the baby?" "I am expecting one." "Well..." "You should be happy." "Why are you sad?" "It is wonderful for a woman to have a baby." "Yes, but..." "You're not married?" "I was employed, but had to leave my job or they would have noticed." "It is a difficult situation." "I realize that." "Your parents... don't know?" " They'd kick me out of the house." " Why do you think that?" "For heaven's sake!" "They will understand, forgive." "I can't count on that." "I know them." "They are country people and have their ideas." "Anyway, I have to try." "I must have a house until the baby is born." "After that, I don't care about anything." "But... him, the father..." "Didn't you try..." "I did." "I looked for him, wrote to him... uselessly." "Who knows where he is." "I just needed his help for a short while." "I didn't want anything." "Just to accompany me to my folks, tell them we were married..." "He didn't want to." "Maybe he didn't even receive my letters." "The truck that will pull the bus out, has come." "Soon, I will..." "I'll have to go." "You..." "Are you in a hurry to get there?" "Me..." "No." "Why?" "Nothing." "I was just wondering..." "Well..." "I don't know what to say." "Best wishes..." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Listen..." "Don't be surprised at what I'm about to tell you." "I don't know you." "I know nothing about you, but you were very kind with me." "No, please!" "They must be ready down there." "Just a few minutes is enough, only when I arrive." "I..." "Would you like me to..." "It's not that I want..." "I thought..." "It would be nothing for you." " Just so that they think..." " Sorry." "I understand..." "I think..." "Excuse me." "Your request is absurd." "I know it is, but it would be salvation for me." "Understand?" "If I show up like this, they will kick me out." "I am sure they will." "But if they think I am married..." "Don't be afraid." "Just accompany me." "I know what to say." "Just a minute, and then you can leave." "What you are asking, is enormous." "I know it is, but I am desperate." "Let me go on." "Don't interrupt me." "Then you can say no, if you want." "My folks believe me." "I'll tell them you accompanied me home, but that you must leave right away." "Then I'll say you can't come back because of your job." "I'll pretend to read your letters, and will continue lying until the baby is born." "Then I won't need anyone anymore." "How can you introduce me to people I don't know, and say I am your husband?" "Come on..." " You won't?" " Of course not!" "I think it is very strange that you could think that." "You are right." "I'm sorry." "I realize you're in a bad situation, and I'm sorry, but..." "Thanks." "You've been very kind." "It was foolish of me." "I'm sorry." "Good..." "Good luck." "Let's go." "Hurry up." "I have no time to lose." "Don't thank me or get emotional." "Let's hurry." "I have to catch the next bus." " Where is your house?" " There it is." " By the way, what's your name?" " Maria." " And yours?" " Paolo." "You make up the last name." " Maria!" " Mom!" "Maria!" " Maria!" " Mom!" "My child!" "Mariuccia, when did you arrive?" "Mr. Pasquale, Miss Maria is here!" " What did you say?" " Maria is here!" " Where is she?" " At home." "Mrs. Lisa said to call Mr. Luca." "Dad!" "Dad!" " Dad, Maria is here." " Maria came?" "When?" " Now, with the bus." " Hello." " Hello." "How is the harvest?" " Very good." " Are you sure?" " No." "Anna told me." "Come on." " Take it up." " See you at noon." "I am the granddad." " Her dad's father." " Oh, yes." " We'll put your hat here." " I'll do it." " Maria told you about me." " Of course." "Bad things, of course." "Maria, come." "Everyone says bad things about me, but they love me anyway." "Very good." "You made a good choice, but you made a good choice too." "Yes, yes, yes." "Even with this guy, your girlfriends will die of envy." "Don't just stand here!" "Thanks." "It doesn't matter." "You're not bashful, are you?" " No." " You like rosolio?" " No." "I don't..." " You must taste it!" "It's home made." "It's genuine." "Give me the keys." " Maria!" " Dad!" "Maria!" " Why didn't you tell us?" " We'd have picked you up." " I decided at the last minute." " You haven't written in 3 months." "You worried us, my child!" "Let's forget it." "You are here, and I am happy." "I knew you would show up one of these days." "Yes." "You're staying, huh?" "You won't do like the other time and leave right away." " Of course not." " No." "I want to stay." " Stay here?" " Yes, Dad, if you'll allow me." "If I allow you?" "I didn't want you to leave." " Luca." " What is it?" "Maria got married." "Married?" " When?" " I'll explain later." "Why later?" "Answer." " When did you get married?" " Three months ago." "Three months ago?" "When you stopped writing." "Why?" " You didn't want us to know?" " It's not that." "I wanted you to know right away, but..." "But what?" "Go on." "Speak up!" " Luca." " Be quiet." "I want an explanation." "My daughter comes home, married!" "Without asking for my consent, or telling me... with a postcard!" "I have a right to know!" "Here's the rosolio." "Come on!" "Answer!" "What is this all about?" " Luca." " I said to be quiet." " If I may, I will explain." " I am talking to my daughter." "She has nothing to do with it." "I didn't want her to write to you." "You?" "Why?" "We decided on the spot." "We wanted to come right after the wedding..." "We wanted..." "But then my business detained me... so we had to postpone, day after day..." " She has no blame." " What do you mean?" "What are you saying?" "You really believe that..." "Paolo is so good." "It is my fault." "Yours?" " I was afraid you would say no." " Why?" "You wanted me to marry a man from town." "So if I'd already married..." " You were afraid that..." " Yes, Dad." " That's all?" " Yes." "Alright." "You just had to tell me... you liked... that guy..." "yes, him." "I am not an ogre." " What do you do?" " Traveling salesman." "I work a lot and make a fair amount of money." "I am a gentleman." "A gentleman would have done his duty." "A gentleman would have asked for the family's consent." "That's how it was done in my days." "If I had dared not ask for the consent..." "You say it, Dad." "He's right." "It's true." "Parents come before anything!" "We made a mistake and apologize." "But we can't go back now." "He is right too." "They love each other and are married..." "That's all." "You don't want to kick them out?" "No, I won't, but we deserve some respect, too." "We aren't just dogs!" "Think of the bad impression we'll give!" "Bad impression?" "What do we care?" "Invite everyone for dinner tonight." "Father Saverio, the doctor..." "Francesco." "We'll open the Vin Santo bottle which has aged perfectly, and announce that Maria is married, and introduce her husband." "We'll drink up, and everything will be okay." " Maria." " Dad." "Come here." "You too..." "Come here." "Well..." "Now..." "As long as you're happy." " Congratulations to the newlyweds!" " I was feeling awful!" "Luca." " I am her brother, Pasquale." " My pleasure." "Make way, people!" "Shall we give him the rosolio?" "Yes or no?" "No." "We need wine here..." "Good wine!" " To our health!" " Lisa, go get the malvasia." "Thanks." "Pasquale, bring the animals back." "No working today." "It's a holiday." "I can't stay." "I have to leave." "Leave?" "Yes." "I have to catch the first bus." "I have urgent business." "She knows that." "Yes, Dad." "He just came to accompany me." "Are you kidding?" "Anna, get the glasses and bring them here." "I won't let you leave." "You just got here." "Forget it!" "I'll be back soon... in 2 or 3 days." "As soon as my business..." "Send your business to hell!" "My daughter comes home after two years and her husband leaves?" " People will gossip!" " Actually..." "Enough." "I am the boss here." "You must obey now too." "Dad, I suspended everything, even the thrashing, right?" "Yes." " Cheers to the newlyweds!" " Cheers!" "Mr. Luca, congratulations!" "It was really..." "It was really a big surprise." "Yes, a lovely surprise." "When they said your daughter was married, I didn't believe it." "Nobody would have imagined." "Congratulations." "You are a lucky man." " Why?" " Why?" "For Maria." "Right!" "Give me the bottle." " I should have been offended." " Why?" "I wanted to celebrate the marriage in our little church." "Everyone got married there." "Her father, her grandfather, and Maria was baptized there." "But... too bad." "Our patron saint will bless your marriage anyway." "Let's drink to that!" "Cheers to the newlyweds!" " What about the papers?" " What papers?" "The marriage papers." "Nobody asked me for them." "What?" "What did you do about the marriage papers?" " The papers?" " Right." "The papers..." "In fact." "You see, Father..." "Yes, the papers..." " Maria!" " Maria!" " She's not breathing." " Don't be silly!" "Get some vinegar." "Go call the doctor." " He must be home." " She doesn't need a doctor." "Don't worry..." "She's expecting a baby." "A baby!" "A baby?" "She doesn't need water, just a slight slap." "She is coming to." " A baby?" " Yes." "Maria, I am your mother." "How do you feel?" " Fine, fine." " Really?" " Excuse me..." " Excuse you?" "What are you saying?" "There's no need to be ashamed." "That's why people get married!" "Francesco's little girl!" "Don't all stand around her." "Let her breathe." "Move!" "Everybody around her!" "Maria, is it true?" "Yes, Dad." "Very good." "Well... very good, Paolo!" "Very good." "Congratulations." " Very good!" " Let's all go back to the table." "Father Saverio, sit back down." "Pasquale, call the goat tender and the bailiff to come drink." "Have them come with their women." "Now we're talking!" "We should get drunk." "Congratulations!" "He is so handsome." "How old is he now?" " You have been very kind." " I am happy for you." "It went well and now you don't need me anymore." "No." "There is a bus soon." "I swear I won't miss it." "Yes." "There is one tomorrow morning." " What?" " The next bus is tomorrow morning." "Paolo, Maria!" "Come!" "There's Vin Santo!" "Cheers to the newlyweds!" "10 o'clock at night and I am still here." "First lunch, then the friends, then the drinking..." "Francesco, the priest, Mr. Giovanni..." "You don't talk, and just look at me." "What can I say?" "I'm mortified, but it's not my fault." "One lost day." "Lost stupidly." "This episode..." "I am not a vagabond who can waste time." "For me, half a day means work, deals, money." "And it won't end here." "You'll see." "I am telling you." "Yes, in the middle." "Get the red quilt." "Mr. Luca went to get it." " Good." " Here is the red quilt." "I brought clean rugs too." "Put them on the side of the bed." " Is there water in the bottles?" " Everything is in order." "We must bring more candlesticks." "They are used to electric light." " I brought those too." " You brought these!" "They are different, but elegant." " Anna, this stuff is still here!" " I helped Mrs. Lisa." "Hurry up." "Call them and tell them it's ready here." "They can come up." " Don't forget the pipe." " He forgets it everywhere." " Where will we sleep?" " Upstairs." "Pasquale will sleep in the barn." "Tomorrow we'll arrange the room that looks out on the fruit orchard." "We'll use that one and leave this one to Maria." "When she has the baby..." "Well..." "This room... thirty years..." "Our children were born here." " We've never left it." " Yes, it's the first time." " Let's not waste time." "It's late." " Of course." "I'd love to know what I should do." "What should I do?" "Is there a hotel, an inn around here?" "I have to sleep somewhere." "If you want to go up, the room is ready!" "You're not going up?" "Mr. Luca and Mrs. Lisa are waiting for you." " Goodnight, Miss." " Goodnight." " Come, children." " All this bother..." "We gave you our room." "You'll have to make do." "The country doesn't have city commodities." " It's fine." " Go on in." " Actually..." " Don't be bashful." "You're family." "If you need anything, Anna and Pasquale are close by." " And we are upstairs." " Thanks, Mom." "Goodnight." "What about you?" "We'll organize ourselves." "You'll do it with your children, too." " Goodnight." " Goodnight." "Tell Pasquale not to make noise tomorrow morning." "Now... you tell me what we should do." "You don't know what to answer, huh?" " You see..." " Softly." "See what a mess we got ourselves into?" "We have to decide something." "We can't spend the whole night looking at each other." "Speak up!" "Say something!" "Your silence makes me nervous." "I don't know." "Excuse me, but I am nervous." "This affair..." "It's useless to think about it." "What's important is that when tomorrow morning comes, I leave!" " You tell your parents." " Yes, I will." "Okay." "I won't stay here one minute more." "You can't expect me..." "I think you are tired." "Lie on the bed." "I'll lie on the sofa, on an armchair." "A sofa, an armchair..." "There are only chairs!" " I'll spend the night on a chair!" " No!" "I'll stay on the chair." "Don't be silly." "We can put a mattress on the floor and we'll both be comfortable." " There is only one mattress." " Right." " Why didn't you say so?" " I didn't know." "Help me put it back." "What a funny situation!" "I didn't even know you a few hours ago!" "I knew nothing about you, and you knew nothing about me!" "Now we are closed in a bedroom acting like husband and wife." "I could be a scoundrel!" "Who says I'm not?" "Huh?" "You are the most generous man I have ever met." "For the love of God, don't talk about generosity!" "I am an imbecile." "That's what I am!" "I shouldn't have bothered with your problem and..." "Please, don't worry about me." "Lie down on the bed and rest." "I'll spend the night reading the paper." "I can't." "Why?" "Are you afraid I might..." "I am not afraid." "Please, you lie down." "I will sit here." "Alright." "We'll both just sit." "It'll be a lot of fun to spend the night like this." " Want one?" " No, thanks." " How was he?" " Who?" "Who... him, the other guy." " Please, let's not talk about him." " I was just curious." "Since I took his place..." "I didn't really take his place." "It would've been better for you if he had been here." "It would've been better for me too." "You must admit my situation is quite ridiculous." "If someone saw us, he would laugh his head off." "Anyone in my place..." "Honestly..." "What did you think?" "I don't understand." "Don't be naive." "You knew all this would happen." "He helped me fool my family, so I..." "Right?" "Look at me." "Say something!" "What?" "You didn't go to bed?" " Yes." " Well?" "Well..." "I'm not sleepy." "When you're not sleepy, you leave the room?" "Yes." " Why should I stay in there?" " After 3 months of marriage?" "I have to leave very early tomorrow morning." "Poor thing." "I can't wake her up at dawn." "What?" "Then what's a wife for?" "If the husband gets up early, his wife must be up a half hour before him." "A man must not light the fire, or heat the coffee up" " while his wife stays in bed." " Right." " You argued with Maria." " Why should I have?" "Paolo, woman are wonderful, but if they take advantage..." "that's the end of it." " Do you snore?" " What?" " Do you snore?" " No, why?" "I do." "As soon as I fall asleep, the snoring starts." "I can't hear myself, but they say I make a hell of a noise!" "I'm made that way." "What can I do?" "It was my wife's duty to put up with me." "But she didn't." "She shook me all night long, tossed in the bed, woke me up." "You know how it ended?" "I went to sleep in the barn." "Understand?" "And then they wonder why I only had two children." "It happens when the husband sleeps in the barn!" "And so, now that she is no longer here," "I've gotten used to sleeping during the day and not bothering anyone." " What do you do all night?" " See?" "I play checkers." "I play by myself, so I always win." "Old age is not nice!" "We are a nuisance to everyone." "One man once said something very true:" ""Old people should be killed when they are little. "" "Good joke, huh?" " Paolino." " Yes?" " Can I have a cigarette?" " Sure." "Thanks." " Don't tell anyone." " No." "They don't want me to smoke, they don't want me to drink." "They say it is bad for me." "Bad... at my age!" "Good." "The night is long." " Why don't you go to sleep?" " I'm not sleepy." " Is Maria sleeping?" " I think so." " Why?" "What do you mean?" " Nothing, nothing." "Want to play a game with me?" "I don't feel like it." "I have things to do." "If you're busy, too bad." " What are these things?" " Chocolates, candies." "Chocolates?" " Chocolates, to eat?" " Yes, but we can't eat them!" "I didn't mean that!" "Nice!" "These round ones look like pieces for playing checkers." "Yeah." " Can you lend them to me?" " Huh?" " To play." " To play?" "I won't ruin them." "12 of these white ones, and 12 black ones." "I'll give them back to you." " Yes." "Put them back, after." " Of course I will." "Now I can really play!" "You really don't want to play a game with me?" "I said no." "I'll play by myself." "And I'll take this one." " I hadn't noticed." " Can I have it?" "Sure." "What are you doing?" "I asked you if I could have it, and you said yes." "I didn't mean eat it." "Go ahead and eat it, but don't do it again." "The samples..." " Goodmorning, Mr. Paolo." " Goodmorning." " Goodmorning and congratulations." " Goodmorning." "Do you want this ricotta which was just made?" "No, thanks." "It is all yours." "Don't thank me." "Right." " What time does the bus leave?" " The bus?" "There's time!" " From the square, in one hour." " How long is it, to the square?" " Five minutes!" " Thanks." " Goodbye, Mr. Paolo." " Goodbye." "It doesn't matter." "Goodmorning." "Goodmorning." "Go upstairs if you need a comb or a brush." "No, thanks." "It doesn't matter." "I have everything." " Like this?" " Yes, thanks." " You slept down here?" " No, on a pile of hay." "I slept well." "I'm used to sleeping in train station waiting rooms." " Is everyone sleeping?" " No." "They left a long time ago." " Work begins at dawn here." " Then they must have seen me." "That's not possible." "They go out the back door." "I see." "Thanks." " I have to go now." " There's still time for the bus." "It doesn't matter." "I'll wait in the square." "Please, just one minute." "My jacket." " Want some fresh milk?" " Thanks." "Here." "It's chipped, but clean." "What a difference!" "There's a big difference with the milk we drink in the city." " Are you glad to be back?" " Glad?" "This morning, when I woke up, I looked all around." "I saw the old furniture of my home, my Dad's rifle hanging on the wall, and I found this old dress of mine." "And when I opened the window, I could smell the fields, again." "It must be wonderful to come back where you were born, raised." "I wasn't born here, and yet, I, too..." "You what?" "Nothing." "It's silly." "Maria, I have to go." "Kids!" "Get in." "We're going to Torraccia!" "I came back to get you." "We'll take a ride around the land." " Goodmorning, Dad." " Goodmorning." "Hurry up." "I have to load the fodder." " Is Torraccia far away?" " We'll be back in a half hour if you have to catch the bus." "Otherwise, I'll leave you there and you'll spend a lovely country day." "It was all weeds, and now it's a magnificent vineyard." "You must get to know the farm." "It'll all be yours, right?" " What time does the bus leave?" " In 2 hours." "Two hours!" "Well..." "If it leaves in 2 hours..." "I haven't spent a day like this in a long time." "I felt like a child." "I'm glad." "I can barely remember." "I was... 10 years old." "Someone had died in our family." "To avoid my staying at home, they sent me to the country." "They were the happiest days of my life!" "I rolled around in the grass, climbed trees, swam in the stream!" "And then it ended." "I went back." "The city, the house, the school." "Strange." "I was so furious at myself yesterday, at you." "Now I feel as if... as if you were not a stranger, met by chance." "But a friend I knew in the past." "Do you mind if I talk to you like this?" "No." "I feel the same way." "You too?" "Yes, since the moment I saw you, when you spoke to me." "When you asked me why I was crying." "I thought everyone was my enemy, but you..." "I will never forget it." "I think everything went well." "The baby will settle everything." "Just give him time to be born." "What are those fires on the hill?" "They are for the harvest feast." "They burn the stubbles." " Do you work in the farm?" " Yes." " How is the farm work going?" " Very well!" " Don't drink too much!" " Sure!" "What is this picture?" "You can see." "A woman with two children." "My relatives." "Nobody ever asked for Maria's papers at town hall." "You are not my daughter's husband." "You're right." "I am not Maria's husband." " I must explain." " No." "You tricked us!" " You both did!" " I didn't want to trick anyone." "No?" "I accepted you in my house, and you sat at my table." "My home is an honorable one!" " Who are you?" " Dad, it's useless to speak." "Be quiet!" "Who are you?" "Your daughter doesn't even know who I am." "We met yesterday on the train, for the first time." "I knew nothing about her, and she knew nothing about me." "There's another man, and I don't know who he is." "Another man who..." "He seemed good and generous." "I trusted him." "I believed him." "Instead, he disappeared without saying a word." "Mom, what desperate days!" "I walked the streets like a mad woman." "I wanted to die." "Maybe I should have!" "What are you saying, my child?" " My God." "What will we do now?" " I don't know." "I don't know!" "Mom, don't abandon me." "Have pity on me." "My child, your mother will not abandon you." "But you know your father." "If he finds out..." "And your brother..." "Oh, my God!" "I was so happy!" " Oh, Mom!" " No, don't cry, Maria." "We'll see." "We'll think of something." "The Lord will help us." "What if that poor girl does something rash, I thought." "Maybe I got emotional." "It was one of those strange moments that happen." "I took her suitcase and found myself here." "I didn't do it for myself." "My business hurt from this." "You covered me with insults, and I put up with them." "You made me spend the evening here, and I did." "Last night..." "I had a right to sleep." "No sir." "Thank God that Mr. Matteo knows it." "I paced about all night in here." "Then I lay down on the hay." "Alright..." "Enough now." "I am through minding other people's business." "Please give me back my picture." "Alright..." "You can go." "Thanks, and I am sorry." "A short while ago you said some big words." "I hope that..." "You are all good people." "What will you do about your daughter?" " It's not your business." " I know it isn't." "But since I met her, and she is really a good girl..." "Well, what will you do?" " She'll get what she deserves." " You'll kick her out?" "As you see, I am a father too." "Let me tell you that what you will do is terrible." "Terrible." "Where will she go?" "What will she do?" " She should have thought of it!" " Great words!" "They all say that." "Poor girl." "She believed him." "Why is she to blame if she met a scoundrel?" " And the baby?" " This is not your business." "I let you free to go." "I even thanked you." "What else do you want?" "You want me to tell you what an honorable family like ours, does?" "I'll tell you." "I'm kicking Maria out the door." "And the baby..." "I don't want to hear about that baby." "It will never exist for us." "He can't be gotten rid of, with talk." "Even if you don't want to hear it, he is of your own blood." "I don't care!" "My home is an honorable one." "There is no room for..." "shameful acts!" "I just can't believe..." "My opinion..." "I didn't ask for it!" "Okay." "Kick her out, save your honor." "I was a stranger, and could've cared less about her." "But I took pity." "You didn't." "You have to save your honor." "If one of your animals gets sick, you take care of it." "If you find a stray dog, you let him in the house." "But she goes out!" "Don't worry." "She'll find people who will take her in." "She is young, beautiful, unlucky." "She will easily find bread to eat." "The world is full of poor devils who made a mistake, and their honorable family threw them out." "There are many..." "one more makes no difference." "But the baby?" "I hope to God he is never born, because if one day you should face him..." "I am wasting time with you." "It's worse than talking to stones." "Well, I'm here now!" "Maria!" " Maria." " Dad." "Maria, your husband has to leave." "He wants to say goodbye." "He will be away a long time and doesn't know when he'll be back." " Yes, Dad." " You..." "You will stay with us." "Yes, Dad." "Pasquale, prepare the carriage." "Take him to the station." " Goodmorning." " Goodmorning." "Paolo?" "Paolo, are you back?" "Did you get the milk?" "Heat it up for the children." "Don't make noise!"