Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XXXI. The Regatta
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upon going down to his masseria, it was with
great difficulty I persuaded him to remain with
us. I do not think he knew himself why he
wanted to go there but I knew it well. It was
the instinct of primitive man that drove him
there to hide from other men and lie down to
die behind a rock, or under a bush or in the grotto
where many thousands of years ago other
primitive men had lain down to die. Towards noon
he said he just wanted to lie down for a while
on his bed, he who had never lain on a bed a
single day of his life. I asked him several times
during the afternoon how he felt, he said he
felt quite well, thank you. Towards evening I
had his bed moved to the window where he
could see the sun going down in the sea. When
I returned after Ave Maria the whole household,
his brother, his compagni were sitting round the
room. Nobody had told them to come, I did
not even know myself it was so near. They
did not speak, they did not pray, they just sat
there quite still the whole night. As is the
custom here, nobody was near the bed. Old
Pacciale was lying there quite still and peaceful,
looking out on the sea. It was all so simple
and solemn, just as it was meant to be when
a life is about to end. The priest came with
the Last Sacrament. Old Pacciale was told to
confess his sins and to ask to be forgiven. He
nodded his head and kissed the crucifix. The
priest gave him the absolution. Almighty God
approved with a smile and said that old Pacciale
was welcome to Heaven, I thought he was
already there when all of a sudden he raised
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