The following morning, the square was abuzz. You seen who’s back? they all said as they entered Michele’s café. Clara the baker had told the butcher, who had told the priest during confession. Gloria Cardinale who sold haberdashery was lighting a candle in the church and had overheard the butcher tell the priest. She couldn’t wait to tell her neighbor the tripe seller, who told Signor Malfatti who sold cheese. And of course, Signor Malfatti couldn’t wait to tell me, said the elderly contessa, who was having a very public spat with the man over the contested weight of a single ball of ricotta.
