The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
176
attempt to take over the Fanucci rackets and tributes. 
What followed then was inevitable. One night Vito’s wife brought a neighbor, a widow, to 
the flat. The woman was Italian and of unimpeachable character. She worked hard to 
keep a home for her fatherless children. Her sixteen-year-old son brought home his pay 
envelope sealed, to hand over to her in the old-country style; her seventeen-year-old 
daughter, a dressmaker, did the same. The whole family sewed buttons on cards at 
night at slave labor piece rates. The woman’s name was Signora Colombo. 
Vito Corleone’s wife said, “The Signora has a favor to ask of you. She is having some 
trouble.” 
Vito Corleone expected to be asked for money, which he was ready to give. But it 
seemed that Mrs. Colombo owned a dog which her youngest son adored. The landlord 
had received complaints on the dog barking at night and had told Mrs. Colombo to get 
rid of it. She had pretended to do so: The landlord had found out that she had deceived 
him and had ordered her to vacate her apartment. She had promised this time to truly 
get rid of the dog and she had done so. But the landlord was so angry that he would not 
revoke his order. She had to get out or the police would be summoned to put her out. 
And her poor little boy had cried so when they had given the dog away to relatives who 
lived in Long Island. All for nothing, they would lose their home. 
Vito Corleone asked her gently, “Why do you ask me to help you?” 
Mrs. Colombo nodded toward his wife. “She told me to ask you.” 
He was surprised. His wife had never questioned him about the clothes he had washed 
the night he had murdered Fanucci. Had never asked him where all the money came 
from when he was not working. Even now her face was impassive. Vito said to Mrs. 
Colombo, “I can give you some money to help you move, is that what you want?” 
The woman shook her head, she was in tears. “All my friends are here, all the girls I 
grew up with in Italy. How can I move to another neighborhood with strangers? I want 
you to speak to the landlord to let me stay.” 
Vito nodded. “It’s done then. You won’t have to move. I’ll speak to him tomorrow 
morning.” 
His wife gave him a smile which he did not acknowledge, but he felt pleased. Mrs. 
Colombo looked a little uncertain. “You’re sure he’ll say yes, the landlord?” she asked. 
“Signor Roberto?” Vito said in a surprised voice. “Of course he will. He’s a good-hearted 

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