Adam's Breed

It was February when the crisis was reached; they were nearing the end of their stay, and Gian-Luca's resentment towards Leone had got well-nigh beyond his control. As for the boy, he hated Gian-Luca and went out of his way to enrage him; the weapon he used was the little brown donkey, who must suffer accordingly. Yet as sometimes happens, a very small incident led to the final explosion; Gian-Luca came on Leone one morning thoughtfully tweaking out the donkey's mane -- a painful proceeding, but as heavenly balm when compared with the other torments. For one long minute Gian-Luca stood quite still while Leone looked up and grinned:

"Sai che non sentono niente -- " he began. Then he stopped abruptly, for Gian-Luca had swooped forward and seized the discarded whip.