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concentrate on the best and finish in time for the date set by New York. Suddenly a shiver runs through my back: what about lunch with V.?

I looked for my mother, but she was out. I just had to face the bull by the horns, that is, in this specific case, call Marcellina. Since she was not at home I asked the waiter to call me one of the daughters to whom I explained that - they understood and apologized - I would run away immediately after lunch, leaving Monique of course, to finish the drawings that had to leave for New York as soon as possible.

I was really lucky to have such an interesting job, she said. She thanked me for making the effort to come to lunch, I felt free to leave when I wanted, without remorse.

Without remorse, after the coffee, I slipped away. I was running up the staircase when Marcellina appeared in front of me, going up. Her gaze pierced me. I explained that I was going up. I explained that I had phoned without finding her, that lunch had been perfect, I thanked her, I had a lot of fun but I had to finish some drawings, I really had to finish them that same evening...

After the meeting, everything seemed gloomy: the black gondola leaning against the wall of the entrance, the dim light of the street lamp near the dark door and, when I left, even the twisted calli of Venice. Only when I saw the covers did my good humor return. I went to bed tired but satisfied and as soon as I woke up I ran to send the finished drawings completed during the night.

I was still on the stairs when Ofelio warned me that my mother had been looking for me. I went to her immediately. Mum had a dark face: "What have you done to me?" she said annoyed. "I'm ashamed for you. Running away immediately after lunch, a lunch given in honor of one of your guests, unheard of! Marcellina expects you to make your apologies, of course. This afternoon you will go to her."