We ate in the kitchen before we started. Aymo had a basin of spaghetti with onions and tinned meat chopped up in it. We sat around the table and drank two bottles of the wine that had been left in the cellar of the villa. It was dark outside and still raining. Piani sat at the table very sleepy.
“I like a retreat better than an advance,” Bonello said. “On a retreat we drink barbera.”
“We drink it now. Tomorrow maybe we drink rainwater,” Aymo said.
“Tomorrow we’ll be in Udine. We’ll drink champagne. That’s where the slackers live. Wake up, Piani! We’ll drink champagne tomorrow in Udine!”
“I’m awake,” Piani said. He filled his plate with the spaghetti and meat. “Couldn’t you find tomato sauce, Barto?”
“There wasn’t any,” Aymo said.
“We’ll drink champagne in Udine,” Bonello said. He filled his glass with the clear red barbera.
“We may drink ⸻ before Udine,” Piani said.
“Have you eaten enough, Tenente ?” Aymo asked.
“I’ve got plenty. Give me the bottle, Bartolomeo.”
“I have a bottle apiece to take in the cars,” Aymo said.
“Did you sleep at all?”
“I don’t need much sleep. I slept a little.”