has the rice started to flower already, and has the dike in the west end of the farm been fixed?
Everything is all right, apo ludovico father smiled broadly but almost as precipitately as it came his grin vanished as he now spoke in low, evan tones. he had come to borrow money for afuneral. ludovico had died.
father went to the house, shaking his balding head. when he returned,he handed some bills to ludovico father who in his relief, pocketed them at once.
there will be the usual interest to that father reminded him.
ludovico father nodded and was all smiles. then his voice faltered. but apo i cannot return this after te harvest this year.
feliza my wife next harnvest time maybe
and why not may i know ? father demanded.
ludovico father explained hurriedly. at first father was unmoved. then he said, all right, next harvest time. but don't forget,the interest will then be twice.
i did not quite understand what it was all about so i tugged at father hand. he did not mind me-he went his way. i did not attend ludovico funeral, but sepa who was fond of him did, and she deescribed how ludovico was brought to church without the pealing of bells, wrapped in on old buri mat and slung on a pole carried by his father and a farmar neighbor.
and only afterward did i understand why there was not even a wooden coffin for ludovico, why the next harvest whch might be bountiful would be meaningless. i remembered ludovico cough her pale,tired face, and the ripening grain which she would neither harvest nor see.