第30部分(第6/7 頁)

I　dropped　off　the　train　in　Milan　as　it　slowed　to　e　into　the　station　early　in　the　morning　before　it　was　light。　I　crossed　the　track　and　came　out　between　some　buildings　and　down　onto　the　street。　A　wine　shop　was　open　and　I　went　in　for　some　coffee。　It　smelled　of　early　morning；　of　swept　dust；　spoons　in　coffee…glasses　and　the　wet　circles　left　by　wine…glasses。　The　proprietor　was　behind　the　bar。　Two　soldiers　sat　at　a　table。　I　stood　at　the　bar　and　drank　a　glass　of　coffee　and　ate　a　piece　of　bread。　The　coffee　was　gray　with　milk；　and　I　skimmed　the　milk　scum　off　the　top　with　a　piece　of　bread。　The　proprietor　looked　at　me。

〃You　want　a　glass　of　grappa？〃

〃No　thanks。〃

〃On　me；〃　he　said　and　poured　a　small　glass　and　pushed　it　toward　me。　〃What's　happening　at　the　front？〃

〃I　would　not　know。〃

〃They　are　drunk；〃　he　said；　moving　his　hand　toward　the　two　soldiers。　I　could　believe　him。　They　looked　drunk。

〃Tell　me；〃　he　said；　〃what　is　happening　at　the　front？〃

〃I　would　not　know　about　the　front。〃

〃I　saw　you　e　down　the　wall。　You　came　off　the　train。〃

〃There　is　a　big　retreat。〃

〃I　read　the　papers。　What　happens？　Is　it　over？〃

〃I　don't　think　so。〃

He　filled　the　glass　with　grappa　from　a　short　bottle。　〃If　you　are　in　trouble；〃　he　said；　〃I　can　keep　you。〃

〃I　am　not　in　trouble。〃

〃If　you　are　in　trouble　stay　here　with　me。〃

〃Where　does　one　stay？〃

〃In　the　building。　Many　stay　here。　Any　who　are　in　trouble　stay　here。〃

〃Are　many　in　trouble？〃

〃It　depends　on　the　trouble。　You　are　a　South　American？〃

〃No。〃

〃Speak　Spanish？〃

〃A　little。〃

He　wiped　off　the　bar。

〃It　is　hard　now　to　leave　the　country　but　in　no　way　impossible。〃

〃I　have　no　wish　to　leave。〃

〃You　can