March 1944 Summary

Northwestern Italy, 1944 Anno Fascista XXIII, Frazione Decimo, Valdottavo

Lidia is now Signora Savoca, and Renzo goes by Stefano Savoca. Mirella Soncini is now Marisa, and is caring for Schramm, nursing him, bathing him, doing his laundry and feeding him. Since his health is improving, Schramm is able to walk to the house and meets baby Rosina. They discuss their families and how distressing it is to be hated due to lies. Mirella tells him the Allies leveled Monte Cassino. Schramm disapproves of Mirella's indulgent parenting. Mirella tells him why she could not marry the unstable Renzo. Mirella's life as a rabbi's wife was difficult and she is now enjoying the solitude of being in the mountains. She has come to appreciate the hard work of peasants and the residual effects of poverty. She ponders why she decided to marry the soft-spoken Iacopo instead...