Riviera Stories, Section 1. Adam, One Afternoon; The Enchanted Garden; & A Goatherd at Luncheon Summary

"Adam, One Afternoon" is the story of a two youths enjoying nature and one another's company in a garden. Thirteen-year-old Maria-nunziata is washing dishes at her employer's house when the new garden boy beckons to her through the window, offering her a present. Fifteen-year-old Libereso introduces himself and convinces her to come outside, where he presents her with a toad. Libereso does not understand why she does not want the gift, so he tries giving her flies, worms, a lizard, and other creepy crawlers. Maria-nunziata is disconcerted when they find two frogs mating, and her new friend wants to give them to her. She is shocked to hear that Libereso is not Catholic, but instead is the child of...