Fredo
A foundling left on the doorstep of Vecchi's house, he was raised by Maria the housekeeper.
He became useful to the household, and has just stayed with Vecchi ever since. Fredo
has no education, and is rough in his speech and abrupt in his dealings with all
men. Towards Brother Bartolemeo there is a special antagonism caused by Fredo's privileged
position which Brother Bartolomeo does not accept. Fredo is a 'fixer' tackling many
of the practical problems which come Vecchi's way, and is party to much information
not usually given to one of his birth. Fredo can be coarse in behaviour, but has
a loyalty which is unassailable; he has a sense of humour, and a keen awareness of
exactly how he fits into the household and its workings. Vecchi's suggestion of a
possible future for Fredo with Serena on the farm is not as strange as it seems The
two grew through childhood knowing one another and their sparring is a continuation
of that childhood friendship -
Serena
Serena Riccoboni grew up on her father’s farm, near the top of the mountain above
Tortona. Her mother died as a result of her next child, as did the baby. Her father
was therefore left to bring Serena up whilst managing a large farm. Luckily he was
known to the local piavano (Vecchi) and every year visited Tortona for the local
Festival. Serena went with him and, through the kindness of Vecchi, knew Fredo.
They grew up knowing one another and enjoyed the teasing in which they indulged.
When her father died, Serena took on the farm but the task was too great for her.
Lonely, she developed a waspishness towards all visitors -
Brother Bartolomeo
Brother Bartolemeo is Vecchi's secretary. A man who longs for acceptance and wishes
to be secure in his position, he is deeply resentful of Fredo's ability to be rude
and ill-
