If you say that I did wrong, I warn you that I shall not believe you." "Indeed..." began the friar with a faint smile of friendliness.

But my mother interrupted him, betwixt sorrow and anger.
"He lies, Gervasio.

He lies shamelessly.

O, into what a morass of sin has he not fallen, and every moment he goes deeper! Have I not said that he is possessed?
We shall need the exorcist." "We shall indeed, madam mother, to clear your mind of foolishness," I answered hotly, for it stung me to the soul to be branded thus a liar, to have my word discredited by that of a lout such as Rinolfo.
She rose a sombre pillar of indignation.

"Agostino, I am your mother," she reminded me.
"Let us thank God that for that, at least, you cannot blame me," answered I, utterly reckless now.
The answer crushed her back into her chair.