The porter unbarred the door and looked out.

It was nearly noon and the southerly breeze was blowing.

The footway was almost deserted.

On the other side of the canal, in the shadow of the Beroviero house, an old man who sold melons in slices had gone to sleep under a bit of ragged awning, and the flies had their will of him and his wares.

A small boy simply dressed in a shirt, and nothing else, stood at a little distance, looking at the fruit and listening attentively to the voice of the tempter that bade him help himself.
Pasquale looked at the house opposite.