She said that she felt ill and tired, and did not like to go alone.

Gregorio said that he was too busy to accompany her, and it would not have been easy for Veronica to refuse.

While it was still early, they drove out, past Bianca Corleone's house, over the hill, and down to Posilippo, on the other side.

They talked very little, but Veronica enjoyed the bright afternoon air, after the long spell of bad weather.

There was no dust, for the road was not yet dry, and a gentle land breeze just roughed the surface of the calm sea to a deeper blue.
When they turned to drive home, there was already a purple mist about Vesuvius, and the great Sant' Angelo's crest was black against the sky, for these were the shortest days, and the sun set far to southward.