But never, never would he have treated a person like that. Let alone his wife.
"Listen to me Daughter. I have great respect for your father, you know. They told me he was an exceptional person. However, as time passes we tend to idealize our dead more and more. And now maybe you remember him even more perfect, while I was on display in front of you today. And then there are some facts that you don't know..."
"And your children. You talk about them with love, but when Gig and Mousie came to visit in Venice I had the impression that they were crushed under the weight of your name. And now that Gig is about to arrive you are ready to attack him only because he has chosen a girl that you do not like. You are convinced that you are right only because you have managed to become a famous writer and instead..." I looked him in the eye: "... and instead you behave like a silly servant..."
He turned red. He stiffened, gritted his teeth. Then turned and hurried away against the light-filled sky.
"I hope you are proud of me, Black Horse. I have been a good boy" he smiled alternating his weight from one leg to the other. "I've been nice to Gig's girl. You may have noticed how trivial, trivial to make you cry. Yet I've been kind. And this morning I was going to get mad at Mary, but I was kind again."
"Oh yes, Papa. I'm proud of you. And tell me, aren't you happier?"
"Yes, also because I hope you are happy."
"I am, Papa. I am very, very happy."
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