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126 228 . the miracles of antichrist
was going to marry the mining engineer. She was
making a good match and would come into
relationship with all the most potent people in the city.
Then she could no longer take care of the little
carts.
A few days before the wedding, the old beggar,
Santuzza, who was Margherita’s godmother, came
desiring to speak with her. They repaired to the
platform on the roof, in order to be left alone.
" Margherita," said the old woman, " you are now
living in such joy and splendor, that it is not worth
while perhaps to talk to you about those that are
in want and trouble. You have forgotten all such
things."
Margherita rebuked her for speaking so.
" I come with a message to you from my son
Orestes. He has come to grief, and he needs your
advice."
" You know that you may speak freely to me,
Santuzza," said the girl.
" Orestes is no longer at the Grotte mines, you
know. He is at Racalmuto. And he is badly off
there. Not exactly because the wages are small, but
the engineer is one of those who torture poor people
to the last drop of blood."
The old woman told how the engineer tormented
the workingmen. He reckoned too short
working-time ; he made them pay a fine if they were out a day.
He did not manage the mines properly. Crush
followed upon crush. No one was sure of his life as
long as he was underground.
" Well, Margherita, Orestes had a son. A fine lad,
just ten years old. The engineer came and wanted
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