Summary

In Chapter 109, the tension between the men increases as Nino continues to goad Pietro. When Adele calls to congratulate Elena on her writing, Pietro mumbles that he has not read it yet, and Nino proclaims the professor is not intelligent enough to enjoy it. Pietro is flummoxed by Nino’s treatment and makes a small scene; when he leaves the room, Nino rounds on Elena asking how she can stand to be with him. She simply tells Nino that she loves Pietro. At this point she is still unsure of what she wants—regular life seems preferable to the uncertainty and tension of having Nino in the house. One day Pietro comes home from campus and tells Elena, “Don’t ever again bring to this house people from your home” (380). Both Nino and Elena think he is talking of Nino; she is defensive...