The Coming of Fabrizze: A Novel (Black Squirrel Books) Read Online Free PDF

Rumbone. “Tell me his name. The one with a face like a big potato.”
    â€œYou mean Gritti,” said Rossi.
    â€œSo it’s Gritti,” said Rumbone. “So it’s Gritti then.”
    â€œWhat about him?” said Rossi. “Tell me what happened. Why do you ask about Gritti?”
    â€œNever mind,” said Rumbone. “Let’s wait a little.”
    The supervisor warned Gritti to be careful.
    A few days later Rumbone was winking again.
    â€œI have news for you,” he said. “The pusher knows less than the men. And he works less.”
    â€œWhat pusher?” said Rossi. “There is no pusher here. Wait, Rumbone, wait. Which one said he was a pusher? Show me.”
    â€œI see,” said Rumbone. “The smoke is clearing.”
    â€œShow me this pusher!” cried Rossi.
    â€œIt’s for us to settle with him,” said Rumbone.
    Rossi carried the conversation for weeks. He went out of his way to find Rumbone. He listened and listened and heard nothing. One morning he called Rumbone into the tool shed.
    â€œI want you to tell me something,” said Rossi. “Let me warn you that everything depends on it. Yesterday my heart was pounding when I saw you. My blood came to a boil. My stomach was all upset when I left you. Now I want to know why. Do you understand me? Speak now or never!”
    â€œI have one more question,” said Rumbone. “Where is it you go in the day? Why are you never here?”
    â€œIt’s not for you to ask,” said Rossi. “I make no account to you, my friend.”
    â€œYou should stay here more,” said Rumbone, significantly. “I speak as a friend. Really now, where do you go?”
    â€œLeave me alone!” said Rossi. “There’s too much work these days. I have to be near the steel mill. A coke plant is going up. Switch crossings must be put in…. A friend, eh? I’m giving you a last chance. Come closer. Do these men talk about me? Do they mock me?”
    â€œThey have a little game,” said Rumbone. “They pretend you don’t exist…. My dear Rossi, it’s the mark of a leader that he knows how to pick a leader. Isn’t it so? Someone to give orders in his absence. Consider it. You take credit for the dance without piping the tune. These men are making a fool of you. I don’t like to see it.”
    â€œIs this the only gang I have?” said Rossi. “Can I be everywhere at once? The work is out of hand. We’re short of men. But who is this leader? Is it you? Are you the piper? Tell me, tell me! Let me laugh out loud in your face! Let me laugh a little!”
    â€œNo, my friend, no,” said Rumbone, with a sneer. “Your leader has iron in him. He understands the work here. He knows a bit of English and he can talk to important men when it’s necessary.”
    â€œBut who is this man? Must I send a ship for him? Speak up, Rumbone. Where is this giant? I’m sick of looking at you!”
    Rumbone made a strange little gesture. He drew his fingers up his neck and out under his chin, as if to say, “Not even another look are you worth.”
    â€œYou mustn’t do that to me,” said Rossi. “I’m the supervisor and I don’t like the look of it. Come closer. Tell me who it is you’re talking about.”
    â€œFind out yourself,” said Rumbone, making the gesture.
    â€œDon’t do that!”
    â€œAnd once more,” said Rumbone.
    A week later Rumbone cornered him again. He put his hand on Rossi and waited there in silence. He was listening for the leak in the supervisor that was the source of all the trouble. For a moment Rossi was listening.
    â€œBut what day is this?” said Rumbone.
    â€œThursday, Thursday,” said Rossi.
    â€œIt’s a holy day, eh?”
    â€œWhat holy day?” said Rossi. “What are you saying? Take your hand off me.”
    â€œI noticed the men