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"I've never told anyone. Nobody would believe me. In fact they'd laugh at me." 

"I believe you, Daughter," said Papa. 

"Thank you, Papa." 

"Don't be afraid to tell. You could do some good." 

The man went back to his desk. I put the tub on the ground, took a fish and lifted it into the air. Now the man was no longer visible, only that fish glistening in the sun and, all around, the heads of the women looking up. One had white hair and a heavy black shawl with long fringes. Only the old women still wear the Venetian shawl now, I thought.