Don Camillo and the Devil by Giovanni Guareschi

Author:Giovanni Guareschi
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780140018004
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 1962-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

The ‘Bridge’ church was in a sorry state. The walls were sturdy enough, but the ceiling looked like a sieve; the plaster was in tatters, the floor uneven, and the pews cracked or cracking. Even a minimum amount of repairs called for a considerable sum of money, and the collection of such a sum called, in turn, for what seemed like an infinity of patient endeavour. When Don Camillo had drawn up an estimate of the costs, he drew a deep breath as well. “I’ll do everything I can, and Divine Providence will look after the rest,” he concluded.

His campaign got off to a lame start, when he knocked first at the door of Filotti, the richest landowner in the vicinity. Don Camillo spoke of the old Bishop and of the pleasure it would give him to hear that the little ‘Bridge’ church was back in use. But Filotti shook his head.

“Father, when you’ve asked for money for the poor or for the Orphan Asylum, I’ve always been happy to contribute. But this time I don’t feel like giving. The village church is quite sufficient. And, frankly, I don’t see why, at this point, I should help to finance propaganda directed against my own class.”

“Come now!” exclaimed Don Camillo. “Have I ever supported propaganda against landowners?”

“Father, I’m not speaking of you personally. I refer simply to what I read in your newspapers and the speeches made by your senators and deputies to parliament.”

“The Church has neither senators nor deputies!” Don Camillo protested.

“That isn’t the way you sounded around election time,” said Filotti calmly.

Don Camillo’s second stop was at the house of Valerti, who listened quietly to all he had to say and then likewise shook his head.

“Why should I give you money?” he asked. “It would mean that those of us whom you call ‘neo-Fascists’ would be blasted from two pulpits instead of one.”

Without seeking to defend himself, Don Camillo continued his rounds, but his third visit was no more fortunate than the other two, for Signora Meghini hardly waited for him to end his plea before she started violently shaking her head.

“Father, if you’re looking for money with which to open a second church, go to the Republicans. Don’t forget that you refused Absolution to all of us who voted for the Monarchist Party.”

Don Camillo went next to Moretti, a landowner of pronounced clerical tendencies. Moretti listened piously to all he had to say, and answered with a sigh:

“Since you speak of the Bishop, I can’t say no. But mind you, it’s only for his sake.”

“Very good,” said Don Camillo, “but why must you tell me that only the good Bishop inspires you? Have I failed to please you in some way?”

“Not you personally,” said Moretti, shaking his head. “But generally speaking, I can’t approve of combating Communism by attacking the upper class.”

Don Camillo pocketed Moretti’s contribution and went to knock at still another door. Perini opened it in person and gave him ill-humoured attention.

“There’s not much I can do, Father,” he said.

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