Due amori

The narrator looks back from the quiet of his later years, recalling the restless days of his youth spent in a bustling boarding school. The dormitory, full of bright‑eyed boys and looming older students, feels like a miniature society where friendships are forged and rivalries flare. Within those walls, the daily contests for respect and acceptance shape the boys’ early sense of self.

At the heart of his memory is Raimondo, a solitary and enigmatic fellow whose calm demeanor both intimidates and intrigues. Though initially distant, the narrator is drawn to him, and the two boys find common ground when a strict overseer, Don Giuseppe, begins to tighten his grip on the house. A small incident involving hidden sweets forces the boys into a shared predicament, hinting at a bond that could grow stronger under pressure. The opening of the story captures the mix of youthful ambition, secret alliances, and the yearning for genuine connection that defines this formative chapter.