THE STORY: Major Joppolo, coming into a Sicilian town just after its liberation, attempts to put his ideals on democracy. In spite of local difficulties, he manages to restore order. But what is needed is more than efficiency: The bell, which for centuries symbolized the town’s moral well-being, has been carried off and a new one must be found. The Major realizes there are human elements that are not in his orders, and his ability to understand these makes his work a success. Success, however, does not come without a struggle, and his disobeying a certain order given by his superior results in a personal setback for him. Even though he will doubtless be broken for his offense, the new bell is at last installed.
