A Cadenza for Caruso
““Close your eyes.”
Caruso obeyed. His face was still pink from the medicated steam he’d been breathing that nevertheless had failed to relieve his headache. Martino dabbed the tenor’s forehead with the witch hazel, being careful not to let any drip on Caruso’s green-and-gold satin robe. The cool liquid evaporated almost immediately. “More,” said Caruso.
But Martino had to cease his ministrations momentarily; someone was at the door. It was Martino’s job to turn away, tactfully, the dozens of un...invited visitors who called on Caruso almost daily. In the next room the telephone was ringing; Caruso could hear Mario saying, “He is not well and cannot be disturbed.” The young valet’s mournful manner of speaking made it sound as if the tenor were on his deathbed.
Martino returned carrying an empty calling-card tray. “A man with a painting to sell—wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. He would not leave his name or identify the painting.”
“Ah, dio! It is probably stolen.”MoreLess
Caruso obeyed. His face was still pink from the medicated steam he’d been breathing that nevertheless had failed to relieve his headache. Martino dabbed the tenor’s forehead with the witch hazel, being careful not to let any drip on Caruso’s green-and-gold satin robe. The cool liquid evaporated almost immediately. “More,” said Caruso.
But Martino had to cease his ministrations momentarily; someone was at the door. It was Martino’s job to turn away, tactfully, the dozens of un...invited visitors who called on Caruso almost daily. In the next room the telephone was ringing; Caruso could hear Mario saying, “He is not well and cannot be disturbed.” The young valet’s mournful manner of speaking made it sound as if the tenor were on his deathbed.
Martino returned carrying an empty calling-card tray. “A man with a painting to sell—wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. He would not leave his name or identify the painting.”
“Ah, dio! It is probably stolen.”MoreLess
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