– They’re all the same, all men, her mother said. They’re one big selfish lot. I remember when I was nursing …

The bell began to ring. A collective ‘Ah’ of satisfaction was heard.

– Finally, Adriana said.

– But I hoped women today were better off, the mother said. I’ve lived like a slave.

Adriana started laughing.

– I’m not exaggerating, the mother went on. If you think it’s funny, good for you. But think about it, Adriana: what pleasures do we women get out of life? At times I think I’d have been better off not being born.

They were silent, listening to the conversations around them. Then, suddenly, they had to move out of the way to avoid a collision with a railway man who rushed past shouting:

– Step back, everyone! Step back!

The two red eyes of the train sprang out of the dark countryside. For a moment it seemed immobile, then it seemed to race towards them at breakneck speed, and finally it passed by slowly, stopping at the last minute with a tremendous jerk, while people calmly gathered up their things.

Mother and daughter embraced. The mother was one of the first to board and, looking out, she called to Adriana, who was standing in front of the window.

– We’ve still got a little time, Adriana said. It always stops for a few minutes.

– Get going if you need to, the mother said.

– Dinner’s ready in any case, Adriana replied.

– It’s seven-thirty, the mother said. Who knows what that man will make a fuss about? I can almost hear him. He’s always done what he’s wanted, unlike me …

Their separation now looming, the conversation broke apart.

– Give everyone my best, Adriana said.

– I will, the mother replied.

The station had emptied out. Three or four people had lingered to say goodbye to those leaving.

– Ready to go, Adriana said.

She’d seen the captain raise his paddle.

– Thank goodness, the mother said.

The train started to move.

– Say hi to Mario. Tell him I’m sorry not to have said goodbye.

– Lots of kisses to Dad! Ariana shouted out.

She stood there waving her handkerchief for as long as she could see something, or thought she did.

‘Alla stazione’

Written in 1945 and likely to have been published in a local newspaper. Later included in the collection La visita (Einaudi, 1962), updated by the author to include his early stories.