Page 231 of 1118

Satisfied with this, they soon dispersed to their homes, to

relate to their wives that which had happened. The next day,

however, the constable being in his field, and, with his foot

resting on his spade, meditating on the mysteries of the past

night, was accosted by two men, much resembling, in their

appearance, those whom Don Abbondio had encountered a few days

before. They very unceremoniously forbade him to make a

deposition of the events of the night before the magistrate, and,

if questioned by any of the gossips of the villagers, to maintain

a perfect silence on pain of death.