CHAPTER 8

ItwascoldinthenightandRobertJordansleptheavily.Oncehewokeand,stretching,realizedthatthegirlwasthere,curledfardownintherobe,breathinglightlyandregularly,andinthedark,bringinghisheadinfromthecold,theskyhardandsharpwithstars,theaircoldinhisnostrils,heputhisheadunderthewarmthoftherobeandkissedhersmoothshoulder.Shedidnotwakeandherolledontohissideawayfromherandwithhisheadoutoftherobeinthecoldagain,layawakeamomentfeelingthelong,seepingluxuryofhisfatigueandthenthesmoothtactilehappinessoftheirtwobodiestouchingandthen,ashepushedhislegsoutdeepastheywouldgointherobe,heslippeddownsteeplyintosleep.

Hewokeatfirstdaylightandthegirlwasgone.Heknewitashewokeand,puttingouthisarm,hefelttherobewarmwhereshehadbeen.Helookedatthemouthofthecavewheretheblanketshowedfrost-rimmedandsawthethingraysmokefromthecrackintherocksthatmeantthekitchenfirewaslighted.

Amancameoutofthetimber,ablanketwornoverhisheadlikeaponchoRobertJordansawitwasPabloandthathewassmokingacigarette.He’sbeendowncorrallingthehorses,hethought.

PablopulledopentheblanketandwentintothecavewithoutlookingtowardRobertJordan.

RobertJordanfeltwithhishandthelightfrostthatlayontheworn,spottedgreenballoonsilkoutercoveringofthefive-year-olddownrobe,thensettledintoitagain.Bueno,hesaidtohimself,feelingthefamiliarcaressoftheflannelliningashespreadhislegswide,thendrewthemtogetherandthenturnedonhissidesothathisheadwouldbeawayfromthedirectionwhereheknewthesunwouldcome.Quémásda,Imightaswellsleepsomemore.

Hesleptuntilthesoundofairplanemotorswokehim.

Lyingonhisback,hesawthem,afascistpatrolofthreeFiats,tiny,bright,fastmovingacrossthemountainsky,headedinthedirectionfromwhichAnselmoandhehadcomeyesterday.Thethreepassedandthencameninemore,flyingmuchhigherintheminute,pointedformationsofthrees,threesandthrees.

Pabloandthegypsywerestandingatthecavemouth,intheshadow,watchingtheskyandasRobertJordanlaystill,theskynowfullofthehighhammeringroarofmotors,therewasanewdroningroarandthreemoreplanescameoveratlessthanathousandfeetabovetheclearing.ThesethreewereHeinkelone-elevens,twin-motorbombers.

RobertJordan,hisheadintheshadowoftherocks,knewtheywouldnotseehim,andthatitdidnotmatteriftheydid.Heknewtheycouldpossiblyseethehorsesinthecorraliftheywerelookingforanythinginthesemountains.Iftheywerenotlookingforanythingtheymightstillseethembutwouldnaturallytakethemforsomeoftheirowncavalrymounts.ThencameanewandlouderdroningroarandthreemoreHeinkelone-elevensshowedcomingsteeply,stiffly,loweryet,crossinginrigidformation,theirpoundingroarapproachingincrescendotoanabsoluteofnoiseandthenrecedingastheypassedtheclearing.

RobertJordanunrolledthebundleofclothingthatmadehispillowandpulledonhisshirt.ItwasoverhisheadandhewaspullingitdownwhenheheardthenextplanescomingandhepulledhistrousersonundertherobeandlaystillasthreemoreoftheHeinkelbi—motorbomberscameover.Beforetheyweregoneovertheshoulderofthemountain,hehadbuckledonhispistol,rolledtherobeandplaceditagainsttherocksandsatnow,closeagainsttherocks,tyinghisrope-soledshoeswhentheapproachingdroningturnedtoagreaterclatteringroarthaneverbeforeandninemoreHeinkellightbomberscameinechelons;hammeringtheskyapartastheywentover.

RobertJordanslippedalongtherockstothemouthofthecavewhereoneofthebrothers,Pablo,thegypsy,Anselmo,Agustínandthewomanstoodinthemouthlookingout.

“Havetherebeenplaneslikethisbefore?”heasked.

“Never,”saidPablo.“Getin.Theywillseethee.”

Thesunhadnotyethitthemouthofthecave.ItwasjustnowshiningonthemeadowbythestreamandRobertJordanknewtheycouldnotbeseeninthedark,earlymorningshadowofthetreesandthesolidshadetherocksmade,buthewentinthecaveinordernottomakethemnervous.

“Theyaremany,”thewomansaid.

“Andtherewillbemore,”RobertJordansaid.

“Howdoyouknow?”Pabloaskedsuspiciously.

“Those,justnow,willhavepursuitplaneswiththem.”

Justthentheyheardthem,thehigher,whiningdrone,andastheypassedataboutfivethousandfeet,RobertJordancountedfifteenFiatsinechelonofechelonslikeawild-gooseflightoftheV-shapedthrees.

InthecaveentrancetheirfacesalllookedverysoberandRobertJordansaid,“Youhavenotseenthismanyplanes?”

“Never,”saidPablo.

“TherearenotmanyatSegovia?”

“Neverhastherebeen,wehaveseenthreeusually.Sometimessixofthechasers.PerhapsthreeJunkers,thebigoneswiththethreemotors,withthechaserswiththem.Neverhaveweseenplaneslikethis.”

Itisbad,RobertJordanthought.Thisisreallybad.Hereisaconcentrationofplaneswhichmeanssomethingverybad.Imustlistenforthemtounload.Butno,theycannothavebroughtupthetroopsyetfortheattack.Certainlynotbeforetonightortomorrownight,certainlynotyet.Certainlytheywillnotbemovinganythingatthishour.

Hecouldstillheartherecedingdrone.Helookedathiswatch.Bynowtheyshouldbeoverthelines,thefirstonesanyway.Hepushedtheknobthatsetthesecondhandtoclickingandwatcheditmovearound.No,perhapsnotyet.Bynow.Yes.Welloverbynow.Twohundredandfiftymilesanhourforthoseone-elevensanyway.Fiveminuteswouldcarrythemthere.Bynowthey’rewellbeyondthepasswithCastileallyellowandtawnybeneaththemnowinthemorning,theyellowcrossedbywhiteroadsandspottedwiththesmallvillagesandtheshadowsoftheHeinkelsmovingoverthelandastheshadowsofsharkspassoverasandyflooroftheocean.

Therewasnobump,bump,bumpingthudofbombs.Hiswatchtickedon.

They’regoingontoColmenar,toEscorial,ortotheflyingfieldatManzanareselReal,hethought,withtheoldcastleabovethelakewiththeducksinthereedsandthefakeairfieldjustbehindtherealfieldwiththedummyplanes,notquitehidden,theirpropsturninginthewind.That’swheretheymustbeheaded.Theycan’tknowabouttheattack,hetoldhimselfandsomethinginhimsaid,whycan’tthey?They’veknownaboutalltheothers.

“Doyouthinktheysawthehorses?”Pabloasked.

“Thoseweren’tlookingforhorses,”RobertJordansaid.

“Butdidtheyseethem?”

“Notunlesstheywereaskedtolookforthem.”

“Couldtheyseethem?”

“Probablynot,”RobertJordansaid.“Unlessthesunwereonthetrees.”

“Itisonthemveryearly,”Pablosaidmiserably.

“Ithinktheyhaveotherthingstothinkofbesidesthyhorses,”RobertJordansaid.

Itwaseightminutessincehehadpushedtheleveronthestopwatchandtherewasstillnosoundofbombing.

“Whatdoyoudowiththewatch?”thewomanasked.

“Ilistenwheretheyhavegone.”

“Oh,”shesaid.Attenminuteshestoppedlookingatthewatchknowingitwouldbetoofarawaytohear,now,evenallowingaminuteforthesoundtotravel,andsaidtoAnselmo,“Iwouldspeaktothee.”

Anselmocameoutofthecavemouthandtheywalkedalittlewayfromtheentranceandstoodbesideapinetree.

“Quétal?”RobertJordanaskedhim.“Howgoesit?”

“Allright.”

“Hastthoueaten?”

“No.Noonehaseaten.”

“Eatthenandtakesomethingtoeatatmid-day.Iwantyoutogotowatchtheroad.Makeanoteofeverythingthatpassesbothupanddowntheroad.”

“Idonotwrite.”

“Thereisnoneedto,”RobertJordantookouttwoleavesfromhisnotebookandwithhisknifecutaninchfromtheendofhispencil.“Takethisandmakeamarkfortanksthus,”hedrewaslantedtank,“andthenamarkforeachoneandwhentherearefour,crossthefourstrokesforthefifth.”

“Inthiswaywecountalso.”

“Good.Makeanothermark,twowheelsandabox,fortrucks.Iftheyareemptymakeacircle.Iftheyarefulloftroopsmakeastraightmark.Markforguns.Bigones,thus.Smallones,thus.Markforcars.Markforambulances.Thus,twowheelsandaboxwithacrossonit.Markfortroopsonfootbycompanies,likethis,see?Alittlesquareandthenmarkbesideit.Markforcavalry,likethis,yousee?Likeahorse.Aboxwithfourlegs.Thatisatroopoftwentyhorse.Youunderstand?Eachtroopamark.”

“Yes.Itisingenious.”

“Now,”hedrewtwolargewheelswithcirclesaroundthemandashortlineforagunbarrel.“Theseareanti-tanks.Theyhaverubbertires.Markforthem.Theseareanti-aircraft,”twowheelswiththegunbarrelslantedup.“Markforthemalso.Doyouunderstand?Haveyouseensuchguns?”

“Yes,”Anselmosaid.“Ofcourse.Itisclear.”

“Takethegypsywithyouthathewillknowfromwhatpointyouwillbewatchingsoyoumayberelieved.Pickaplacethatissafe,nottoocloseandfromwhereyoucanseewellandcomfortably.Stayuntilyouarerelieved.”

“Iunderstand.”

“Good.Andthatwhenyoucomeback,Ishouldknoweverythingthatmovedupontheroad.Onepaperisformovementup.Oneisformovementdowntheroad.”

Theywalkedovertowardthecave.

“SendRafaeltome,”RobertJordansaidandwaitedbythetree.HewatchedAnselmogointothecave,theblanketfallingbehindhim.Thegypsysaunteredout,wipinghismouthwithhishand.

“Quétal?”thegypsysaid.“Didyoudivertyourselflastnight?”

“Islept.”

“Lessbad,”thegypsysaidandgrinned.“Haveyouacigarette?”

“Listen,”RobertJordansaidandfeltinhispocketforthecigarettes.“IwishyoutogowithAnselmotoaplacefromwhichhewillobservetheroad.Thereyouwillleavehim,notingtheplaceinorderthatyoumayguidemetoitorguidewhoeverwillrelievehimlater.Youwillthengotowhereyoucanobservethesawmillandnoteifthereareanychangesinthepostthere.”

“Whatchanges?”

“Howmanymenaretherenow?”

“Eight.ThelastIknew.”

“Seehowmanyaretherenow.Seeatwhatintervalstheguardisrelievedatthatbridge.”

“Intervals?”

“Howmanyhourstheguardstaysonandatwhattimeachangeismade.”

“Ihavenowatch.”

“Takemine.”Heunstrappedit.

“Whatawatch,”Rafaelsaidadmiringly.“Lookatwhatcomplications.Suchawatchshouldbeabletoreadandwrite.Lookatwhatcomplicationsofnumbers.It’sawatchtoendwatches.”

“Don’tfoolwithit,”RobertJordansaid.“Canyoutelltime?”

“Whynot?Twelveo’clockmid-day.Hunger.Twelveo’clockmidnight.Sleep.Sixo’clockinthemorning,hunger.Sixo’clockatnight,drunk.Withluck.Teno’clockatnight—”

“Shutup,”RobertJordansaid.“Youdon’tneedtobeaclown.Iwantyoutocheckontheguardatthebigbridgeandthepostontheroadbelowinthesamemannerasthepostandtheguardatthesawmillandthesmallbridge.”

“Itismuchwork,”thegypsysmiled.“Youaresurethereisnooneyouwouldrathersendthanme?”

“No,Rafael.Itisveryimportant.Thatyoushoulddoitverycarefullyandkeepingoutofsightwithcare.”

“IbelieveIwillkeepoutofsight,”thegypsysaid.“Whydoyoutellmetokeepoutofsight?YouthinkIwanttobeshot?”

“Takethingsalittleseriously,”RobertJordansaid.“Thisisserious.”

“Thouaskestmetotakethingsseriously?Afterwhatthoudidstlastnight?Whenthouneedesttokillamanandinsteaddidwhatyoudid?Youweresupposedtokillone,notmakeone!Whenwehavejustseentheskyfullofairplanesofaquantitytokillusbacktoourgrandfathersandforwardtoallunborngrandsonsincludingallcats,goatsandbedbugs.Airplanesmakinganoisetocurdlethemilkinyourmother’sbreastsastheypassoverdarkeningtheskyandroaringlikelionsandyouaskmetotakethingsseriously.Itakethemtooseriouslyalready.”

“Allright,”saidRobertJordanandlaughedandputhishandonthegypsy’sshoulder.“_Don’t_takethemtooseriouslythen.Nowfinishyourbreakfastandgo.”

“Andthou?”thegypsyasked.“Whatdoyoudo?”

“IgotoseeElSordo.”

“Afterthoseairplanesitisverypossiblethatthouwiltfindnobodyinthewholemountains,”thegypsysaid.“Theremusthavebeenmanypeoplesweatingthebigdropthismorningwhenthosepassed.”

“Thosehaveotherworkthanhuntingguerillas.”

“Yes,”thegypsysaid.Thenshookhishead.“Butwhentheycaretoundertakethatwork.”

“Quéva,”RobertJordansaid.“ThosearethebestoftheGermanlightbombers.Theydonotsendthoseaftergipsies.”

“Theygivemeahorror,”Rafaelsaid.“Ofsuchthings,yes,Iamfrightened.”

“Theygotobombanairfield,”RobertJordantoldhimastheywentintothecave.“Iamalmostsuretheygoforthat.”

“Whatdoyousay?”thewomanofPabloasked.Shepouredhimabowlofcoffeeandhandedhimacanofcondensedmilk.

“Thereismilk?Whatluxury!”

“Thereiseverything,”shesaid.“Andsincetheplanesthereismuchfear.Wheredidyousaytheywent?”

RobertJordandrippedsomeofthethickmilkintohiscoffeefromtheslitcutinthecan,wipedthecanontherimofthecup,andstirredthecoffeeuntilitwaslightbrown.

“TheygotobombanairfieldIbelieve.TheymightgotoEscorialandColmenar.Perhapsallthree.”

“Thattheyshouldgoalongwayandkeepawayfromhere,”Pablosaid.

“Andwhyaretheyherenow?”thewomanasked.“Whatbringsthemnow?Neverhaveweseensuchplanes.Norinsuchquantity.Dotheyprepareanattack?”

“Whatmovementwasthereontheroadlastnight?”RobertJordanasked.ThegirlMariawasclosetohimbuthedidnotlookather.

“You,”thewomansaid.“Fernando.YouwereinLaGranjalastnight.Whatmovementwasthere?”

“Nothing,”ashort,open-facedmanofaboutthirty-fivewithacastinoneeye,whomRobertJordanhadnotseenbefore,answered.“Afewcamionsasusual.Somecars.NomovementoftroopswhileIwasthere.”

“YougointoLaGranjaeverynight?”RobertJordanaskedhim.

“Ioranother,”Fernandosaid.“Someonegoes.”

“Theygoforthenews.Fortobacco.Forsmallthings,”thewomansaid.

“Wehavepeoplethere?”

“Yes.Whynot?Thosewhoworkthepowerplant.Someothers.”

“Whatwasthenews?”

“Puesnada.Therewasnothing.Itstillgoesbadlyinthenorth.Thatisnotnews.Inthenorthithasgonebadlynowsincethebeginning.”

“DidyouhearanythingfromSegovia?”

“No,hombre.Ididnotask.”

“DoyougointoSegovia?”

“Sometimes,”Fernandosaid.“Butthereisdanger.Therearecontrolswheretheyaskforyourpapers.”

“Doyouknowtheairfield?”

“No,hombre.IknowwhereitisbutIwasneverclosetoit.There,thereismuchaskingforpapers.”

“Noonespokeabouttheseplaneslastnight?”

“InLaGnanja?Nobody.Buttheywilltalkaboutthemtonightcertainly.TheytalkedaboutthebroadcastofQuiepodeLlano.Nothingmore.Oh,yes.ItseemsthattheRepublicispreparinganoffensive.”

“Thatwhat?”

“ThattheRepublicispreparinganoffensive.”

“Where?”

“Itisnotcertain.Perhapshere.PerhapsforanotherpantoftheSierra.Hastthouheardofit?”

“TheysaythisinLaGranja?”

“Yes,hombre.Ihadforgottenit.Butthereisalwaysmuchtalkofoffensives.”

“Wheredoesthistalkcomefrom?”

“Where?Whyfromdifferentpeople.TheofficersspeakinthecafésinSegoviaandAvilaandthewaitersnoteit.Therumorscomerunning.SincesometimetheyspeakofanoffensivebytheRepublicintheseparts.”

“BytheRepublicorbytheFascists?”

“BytheRepublic.IfitwerebytheFascistsallwouldknowofit.No,thisisanoffensiveofquitesomesize.Somesaytherearetwo.OnehereandtheotherovertheAltodelLeonneartheEscorial.Haveyouheardaughtofthis?”

“Whatelsedidyouhear?”

“Nada,hombre.Nothing.Oh,yes.TherewassometalkthattheRepublicanswouldtrytoblowupthebridges,iftherewastobeanoffensive.Butthebridgesareguarded.”

“Artthoujoking?”RobertJordansaid,sippinghiscoffee.

“No,hombre,”saidFernando.

“Thisonedoesn’tjoke,”thewomansaid.“Badluckthathedoesn’t.”

“Then,”saidRobertJordan.“Thankyouforallthenews.Didyouhearnothingmore?”

“No.Theytalk,asalways,oftroopstobesenttoclearoutthesemountains.Thereissometalkthattheyareontheway.ThattheyRavebeensentalreadyfromValladolid.ButtheyalwaystalkinthatWay.Itisnottogiveanyimportanceto.”

“Andthou,”thewomanofPablosaidtoPabloalmostviciously.“Withthytalkofsafety.”

Pablolookedatherreflectivelyandscratchedhischin.“Thou,”hesaid.“Andthybridges.”

“Whatbridges?”askedFernandocheerfully.

“Stupid,”thewomansaidtohim.“Thickhead.Tonto.Takeanothercupofcoffeeandtrytoremembermorenews.”

“Don’tbeangry,Pilar,”Fernandosaidcalmlyandcheerfully.“Neithershouldonebecomealarmedatrumors.IhavetoldtheeandthiscomradeallthatIremember.”

“Youdon’trememberanythingmore?”RobertJordanasked.

“No,”Fernandosaidwithdignity.“AndIamfortunatetorememberthisbecause,sinceitwasbutrumors,Ipaidnoattentiontoanyofit.”

“Thentheremayhavebeenmore?”

“Yes.Itispossible.ButIpaidnoattention.ForayearIhaveheardnothingbutrumors.”

RobertJordanheardaquick,control-breakingsniffoflaughterfromthegirl,Maria,whowasstandingbehindhim.

“Tellusonemorerumor,Fernandito,”shesaidandthenhershouldersshookagain.

“IfIcouldremember,Iwouldnot,”Fernandosaid.“Itisbeneathaman’sdignitytolistenandgiveimportancetorumors.”

“AndwiththiswewillsavetheRepublic,”thewomansaid.

“No.Youwillsaveitbyblowingbridges,”Pablotoldher.

“Go,”saidRobertJordantoAnselmoandRafael.“Ifyouhaveeaten.”

“Wegonow,”theoldmansaidandthetwoofthemstoodup.RobertJordanfeltahandonhisshoulder.ItwasMaria.“Thoushouldsteat,”shesaidandletherhandrestthere.“Eatwellsothatthystomachcansupportmorerumors.”

“Therumorshavetakentheplaceoftheappetite.”

“No.Itshouldnotbeso.Eatthisnowbeforemorerumorscome.”Sheputthebowlbeforehim.

“Donotmakeajokeofme,”Fernandosaidtoher.“Iamthygoodfriend,Maria.”

“Idonotjokeatthee,Fernando.Ionlyjokewithhimandheshouldeatorhewillbehungry.”

“Weshouldalleat,”Fernandosaid.“Pilar,whatpassesthatwearenotserved?”

“Nothing,man,”thewomanofPablosaidandfilledhisbowlwiththemeatstew.“Eat.Yes,that’swhatyoucando.Eatnow.”

“Itisverygood,Pilar,”Fernandosaid,alldignityintact.

“Thankyou,”saidthewoman.“Thankyouandthankyouagain.”

“Areyouangryatme?”Fernandoasked.

“No.Eat.Goaheadandeat.”

“Iwill,”saidFernando.“Thankyou.”

RobertJordanlookedatMariaandhershouldersstartedshakingagainandshelookedaway.Fernandoatesteadily,aproudanddignifiedexpressiononhisface,thedignityofwhichcouldnotbeaffectedevenbythehugespoonthathewasusingortheslightdrippingofjuicefromthestewwhichranfromthecornersofhismouth.

“Doyoulikethefood?”thewomanofPabloaskedhim.

“Yes,Pilar,”hesaidwithhismouthfull.“Itisthesameasusual.”

RobertJordanfeltMaria’shandonhisarmandfeltherfingerstightenwithdelight.

“Itisforthatthatyoulikeit?”thewomanaskedFernando.

“Yes,”shesaid.“Isee.Thestew;asusual.Comosiempre.Thingsarebadinthenorth;asusual.Anoffensivehere;asusual.Thattroopscometohuntusout;asusual.Youcouldserveasamonumenttoasusual.”

“Butthelasttwoareonlyrumors,Pilar.”

“Spain,”thewomanofPablosaidbitterly.ThenturnedtoRobertJordan.“Dotheyhavepeoplesuchasthisinothercountries?”

“TherearenoothercountrieslikeSpain,”RobertJordansaidpolitely.

“Youareright,”Fernandosaid.“ThereisnoothercountryintheworldlikeSpain.”

“Hastthoueverseenanyothercountry?”thewomanaskedhim.

“Nay,”saidFernando.“NordoIwishto.”

“Yousee?”thewomanofPablosaidtoRobertJordan.

“Fernandito,”Mariasaidtohim.“TellusofthetimetheewenttoValencia”

“IdidnotlikeValencia.”

“Why?”MariaaskedandpressedRobertJordan’sarmagain.“Whydidtheenotlikeit?”

“ThepeoplehadnomannersandIcouldnotunderstandthem.Alltheydidwasshoutchéatoneanother.”

“Couldtheyunderstandthee?”Mariaasked.

“Theypretendednotto,”Fernandosaid.

“Andwhatdidtheethere?”

“Ileftwithoutevenseeingthesea,”Fernandosaid.“Ididnotlikethepeople.”

“Oh,getoutofhere,youoldmaid,”thewomanofPablosaid.“Getoutofherebeforeyoumakemesick.InValenciaIhadthebesttimeofmylife.Vamos!Valencia.Don’ttalktomeofValencia.”

“Whatdidtheethere?”Mariaasked.ThewomanofPablosatdownatthetablewithabowlofcoffee,apieceofbreadandabowlofthestew.

“Qué?whatdidwethere.IwastherewhenFinitohadacontractforthreefightsattheFeria.NeverhaveIseensomanypeople.NeverhaveIseencaféssocrowded.Forhoursitwouldbeimpossibletogetaseatanditwasimpossibletoboardthetramcars.InValenciatherewasmovementalldayandallnight.”

“Butwhatdidyoudo?”Mariaasked.

“Allthings,”thewomansaid.“Wewenttothebeachandlayinthewaterandboatswithsailswerehauledupoutoftheseabyoxen.Theoxendriventothewateruntiltheymustswim;thenharnessedtotheboats,and,whentheyfoundtheirfeet,staggeringupthesand.Tenyokesofoxendraggingaboatwithsailsoutoftheseainthemorningwiththelineofthesmallwavesbreakingonthebeach.ThatisValencia.”

“Butwhatdidtheebesideswatchoxen?”

“Weateinpavilionsonthesand.Pastriesmadeofcookedandshreddedfishandredandgreenpeppersandsmallnutslikegrainsofrice.Pastriesdelicateandflakyandthefishofarichnessthatwasincredible.Prawnsfreshfromtheseasprinkledwithlimejuice.Theywerepinkandsweetandtherewerefourbitestoaprawn.Ofthoseweatemany.Thenweatepaellawithfreshseafood,clamsintheirshells,mussels,crayfish,andsmalleels.Thenweateevensmallereelsalonecookedinoilandastinyasbeansproutsandcurledinalldirectionsandsotendertheydisappearedinthemouthwithoutchewing.Allthetimedrinkingawhitewine,cold,lightandgoodatthirtycentimosthebottle.Andforanend,melon.Thatisthehomeofthemelon.”

“ThemelonofCastileisbetter,”Fernandosaid.

“Quéva,”saidthewomanofPablo.“ThemelonofCastileisforselfabuse.ThemelonofValenciaforeating.WhenIthinkofthosemelonslongasone’séarm,greenliketheseaandcrispandjuicytocutandsweeterthantheearlymorninginsummer.Aye,whenIthinkofthosesmallesteels,tiny,delicateandinmoundsontheplate.Alsothebeerinpitchersallthroughtheafternoon,thebeersweatinginitscoldnessinpitchersthesizeofwaterjugs.”

“Andwhatdidtheewhennoteatingnordrinking?”

“Wemadeloveintheroomwiththestripwoodblindshangingoverthebalconyandabreezethroughtheopeningofthetopofthedoorwhichturnedonhinges.Wemadelovethere,theroomdarkinthedaytimefromthehangingblinds,andfromthestreetstherewasthescentoftheflowermarketandthesmellofburnedpowderfromthefirecrackersofthetracathatranthoughthestreetsexplodingeachnoonduringtheFeria.Itwasalineoffireworksthatranthroughallthecity,thefirecrackerslinkedtogetherandtheexplosionsrunningalongonpolesandwiresofthetramways,explodingwithgreatnoiseandajumpingfrompoletopolewithasharpnessandacrackingofexplosionyoucouldnotbelieve.

“Wemadeloveandthensentforanotherpitcherofbeerwiththedropsofitscoldnessontheglassandwhenthegirlbroughtit,ItookitfromthedoorandIplacedthecoldnessofthepitcheragainstthebackofFinitoashelay,now,asleep,nothavingwakenedwhenthebeerwasbrought,andhesaid,‘No,Pilar.No,woman,letmesleep.’AndIsaid,‘No,wakeupanddrinkthistoseehowcold,’andhedrankwithoutopeninghiseyesandwenttosleepagainandIlaywithmybackagainstapillowatthefootofthebedandwatchedhimsleep,brownanddark-hairedandyoungandquietinhissleep,anddrankthewholepitcher,listeningnowtothemusicofabandthatwaspassing.You,”shesaidtoPablo.“Doyouknowaughtofsuchthings?”

“Wehavedonethingstogether,”Pablosaid.

“Yes,”thewomansaid.“Whynot?AndthouwertmoremanthanFinitoinyourtime.ButneverdidwegotoValencia.NeverdidwelieinbedtogetherandhearabandpassinValencia.”

“Itwasimpossible,”Pablotoldher.“WehavehadnoopportunitytogotoValencia.Thouknowestthatifthouwiltbereasonable.But,withFinito,neitherdidtheeblowupanytrain.”

“No,”saidthewoman.“Thatiswhatislefttous.Thetrain.Yes.Alwaysthetrain.Noonecanspeakagainstthat.Thatremainsofallthelaziness,slothandfailure.Thatremainsofthecowardiceofthismoment.Thereweremanyotherthingsbeforetoo.Idonotwanttobeunjust.ButnoonecanspeakagainstValenciaeither.Youhearme?”

“Ididnotlikeit,”Fernandosaidquietly.“IdidnotlikeValencia.”

“Yettheyspeakofthemuleasstubborn,”thewomansaid.“Cleanup,Maria,thatwemaygo.”

Asshesaidthistheyheardthefirstsoundoftheplanesreturning.