square. Nothing. Outside, too, although it was Christmas, there was no trace of God. From the thousand brightly lit windows he could hear the echoes of laughter, chinking glasses, music and even cursing. No bells, no songs.
Don Valentino went out into the night and set off through the streets, between the profane clamours of exuberant banquets. But he knew where to go. When he entered his friends’ house, the family was just sitting down around the table. They were looking at each other with benevolence, and around them was a bit of God.
“Merry Christmas, Reverend” said the head of the family “Would you like to join us?”
“I am in a hurry, friends” he answered. “Due to negligence on my part the Lord has abandoned the cathedral and his Excellency will shortly go to pray. Could you not give me yours? After all, you are in company, your need is not so pressing.”
“My dear Don Valentino” exclaimed the head of the family. “I dare say you are forgetting that tonight is Christmas. And today of all days my children should go without God? I am astonished, Don Valentino.”