TE17 Mysterious Montenegro

Jean Teulé

united in the same fatal destiny. But, after also having seen the dancing cooper, he jokes: “Well, that at least gives you two to gobble up!” He bursts out laughing at his own joke, then, peeking out at the dancers again, no longer laughs. His elbows suddenly jolt and his knees lead him toward Enneline and Jérôme.

“What’s with him?” Melchior asks the draper.

“Two sons who, in order to save their parents from the famine, went to fight as mercenaries for France in the war in Italy. They never came back. They must be rotting under some lemon trees in Tuscany…”

“Oh? What about you?”

“You know it quite well yourself. Too much debt which shoves me toward moneylenders, which leads to the confiscation of my possessions, my merchandise, and my wife found hanging from a beam.” Taken aback by all of the suffering and having nothing but his weak palms to cover his eyes that are filling with a sky of tears, the Troffea’s neighbor then sees more people leaving their stoops, pirouetting themselves into the rue du Jeu-des-Enfants to join the rounds in Enneline’s wake. The draper begins swaying and joins in as well. He marks the beat by clapping his hands.

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