Then one day a friend told me that the old woman had followed
me over the sea and was going to throw her spells upon me
again. But I did not inform Rosina of these things. The next
evening she told me that an old woman had been to the house
and asked for me. For days my first wife lurked in the
neighborhood, beseeching me to come back to her. But I told
her that in the eyes of God she was not my wife. Then, in
revenge, she cast the evil eye upon the child--sul bambino
--and for six weeks it ailed and then died. Again the witch
asked me to go with her, and again I refused. This time she
cast her evil eye upon my wife--and Rosina grew pale and sick
and took to her bed. There was only one thing to do, you
understand. I resolved to slay her, just as you--giudici
--would have done. I bought a carving-knife and sharpened it,
and asked her to walk with me to the park, and I would have
killed her had not the police prevented me. Wherefore, O
giudici! I pray you to recall her and permit me to kill her
or to decree that she be hung!"
This case illustrates the depths of ignorance and superstition
that are occasionally to be found among Italian peasant
immigrants.
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