638
PARTISAN REVIEW
Somewhat consoled, Simona walked on, once more ahead
of
him,
beginning to recite:
«
'Per me si va nella
dtta
doLente,
per me
si
va nell'eterno doLore,
per me
si
va tra La perduta gente
.. .'
JJ
She recited mechanically and with as little expression as a school–
girl, breathing hard because of the double effort required of her.
As
she walked doggedly along, she paused at the end of every
line, without paying any attention to syntax or meaning, like a
schoolgirl endowed with zeal rather than intelligence. Every now
and then she turned appealingly around and shot him a fleeting
look, yes, exactly like a schoolgirl, with the blue and white cap
perched on her blond hair. After they had gone some way they
reached a wall built all around a large villa. The wall was covered
with ivy, and leafy oak branches grew out over it.
" 'E caddi come L'uom cui sonno piglia,'
JJ
Simona said, wind–
ing up the third canto; then she turned around and asked: "Whose
place is this?"
"It belonged to Axel Munthe," Giacomo answered, "but he's
dead now."
"And what sort of a fellow was he?"
"A very shrewd sort indeed," said Giacomo. And, in order to
amuse her, he added: "He was a doctor very fashionable in Rome
at the tum of the century.
If
you'd like to know more about him,
there's a story I've been told is absolutely true.... Would you like
to hear it?"
"Yes, do tell me."
"Once a beautiful and frivolous society woman came to
him
with all sorts of imaginary ailments. Munthe listened patiently, ex–
amined her and when he saw that there was nothing wrong said:
'I know a sure cure, but you must do exactly what I say.... Go look
out that open window and lean your elbows on the sill.' She obeyed,
and Munthe went .after her and gave her a terrific kick in the rear.
Then he escorted her to the door and said: 'Three times a week,
and in a few months you'll be quite all right.' "
Simona failed to laugh, and after a moment she said bitterly,
looking at the wall:
"That would be the cure for me."
