So I went to the jail, now this is the point of the story, and I stood outside his cell and I said as though I were going to confession,
'Bless me, father, for you have sinned."
There was great laughter from everybody.
"And what did he say?" asked the priest.
Rocca ignored this and went on to explain the joke to me. "You see the point, don't you?" It seemed it was a very funny joke if you understood it properly.
They poured me more wine and I told the story about the English private soldier who was placed under the shower bath.
Then the major told the story of the eleven Czecho-slovaks and the Hungarian corporal.
After some more wine I told the story of the jockey who found the penny.
The major said there was an Italian story something like that about the duchess who could not sleep at night.
At this point the priest left and I told the story about the travelling salesman who arrived at five o'clock in the morning at Marseilles when the mistral was blowing.
The major said he had heard a report that I could drink.
I denied this.
He said it was true and by the corpse of Bacchus we would test whether it was true or not.
Not Bacchus, I said.
Not Baлchus.
Yes, Bacchus, he said.
I should drink cup for cup and glass for glass with Bassi, Fillipo Vincenza.
Bassi said no that was no test because he had already drunk twice as much as I.
I said that was a foul lie and, Bacchus or no Bacchus, Fillipo Vincenza Bassi or Bassi Fillippo Vicenza had never touched a drop all evening and what was his name anyway?
He said was my name Frederico Enrico or Enrico Federico?
I said let the best man win, Bacchus barred, and the major started us with red wine in mugs.
Half-way through the wine I did not want any more.
I remembered where I was going.
"Bassi wins," I said. "He's a better man than I am.
I have to go."
"He does really," said Rinaldi. "He has a rendezvous.
I know all about it."
"I have to go."
"Another night," said Bassi. "Another night when you feel stronger."
He slapped me on the shoulder.
There were lighted candles on the table.
All the officers were very happy.
"Good-night, gentlemen," I said.
Rinaldi went out with me.
We stood outside the door on the patch and he said,
"You better not go up there drunk."
"I'm not drunk, Rinin.
Really."
"You'd better chew some coffee."
"Nonsense."
"I'll get some, baby.
You walk up and down." He came back with a handful of roasted coffee beans. "Chew those, baby, and God be with you."
"Bacchus," I said.
"I'll walk down with you."
"I'm perfectly all right."
We walked along together through the town and I chewed the coffee.
At the gate of the driveway that led up to the British villa, Rinaldi said good-night.
"Good-night," I said. "Why don't you come in?"
He shook his head.
"No," he said. "I like the simpler pleasures."