CHAPTER 9

Theystoodinthemouthofthecaveandwatchedthem.Thebomberswerehighnowinfast,uglyarrow-headsbeatingtheskyapartwiththenoiseoftheirmotors.Theyareshapedlikesharks,RobertJordanthought,thewide-finned,sharp-nosedsharksoftheGulfStream.Butthese,wide-finnedinsilver,roaring,thelightmistoftheirpropellersinthesun,thesedonotmovelikesharks.Theymovelikenothingtherehaseverbeen.Theymovelikemechanizeddoom.

Yououghttowrite,hetoldhimself.Maybeyouwillagainsometime.HefeltMariaholdingtohisarm.Shewaslookingupandhesaidtoher,“Whatdotheylookliketoyou,guapa?”

“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“Death,Ithink.”

“Theylooklikeplanestome,”thewomanofPablosaid.“‘Wherearethelittleones?”

“Theymaybecrossingatanotherpart,”RobertJordansaid.“Thosebombersaretoofasttohavetowaitforthemandhavecomebackalone.Weneverfollowthemacrossthelinestofight.Therearen’tenoughplanestoriskit.”

JustthenthreeHeinkelfightersinVformationcamelowovertheclearingcomingtowardthem,justoverthetreetops,likeclattering,wing-tilting,pinch-noseduglytoys,toenlargesuddenly,fearfullytotheiractualsize;pouringpastinawhiningroar.Theyweresolowthatfromthecavemouthallofthemcouldseethepilots,helmeted,goggled,ascarfblowingbackfrombehindthepatrolleader’shead.

“Thosecanseethehorses,”Pablosaid.

“Thosecanseethycigarettebutts,”thewomansaid.“Letfalltheblanket.”

Nomoreplanescameover.Theothersmusthavecrossedfartheruptherangeandwhenthedroningwasgonetheywentoutofthecaveintotheopen.

Theskywasemptynowandhighandblueandclear.

“Itseemsasthoughtheywereadreamthatyouwakefrom,”MariasaidtoRobertJordan.Therewasnoteventhelastalmostunheardhumthatcomeslikeafingerfaintlytouchingandleavingandtouchingagainafterthesoundisgonealmostpasthearing.

“Theyarenodreamandyougoinandcleanup,”Pilarsaidtoher.“Whataboutit?”sheturnedtoRobertJordan.“Shouldwerideorwalk?”

Pablolookedatherandgrunted.

“Asyouwill,”RobertJordansaid.

“Thenletuswalk,”shesaid.“Iwouldlikeitfortheliver.”

“Ridingisgoodfortheliver.”

“Yes,buthardonthebuttocks.Wewillwalkandthou——”SheturnedtoPablo.“Godownandcountthybeastsandseetheyhavenotflownawaywithany.”

“Doyouwantahorsetoride?”PabloaskedRobertJordan.

“No.Manythanks.Whataboutthegirl?”

“Betterforhertowalk,”Pilarsaid.“She’llgetstiffintoomanyplacesandservefornothing.”

RobertJordanfelthisfacereddening.

“Didyousleepwell?”Pilarasked.Thensaid,“Itistruethatthereisnosickness.Therecouldhavebeen.Iknownotwhytherewasn’t.ThereprobablystillisGodafterall,althoughwehaveabolishedHim.Goon,”shesaidtoPablo.“Thisdoesnotconcernthee.Thisisofpeopleyoungerthanthee.Madeofothermaterial.Geton.”ThentoRobertJordan,“Agustínislookingafterthythings.Wegowhenhecomes.”

Itwasaclear,brightdayandwarmnowinthesun.RobertJordanlookedatthebig,brown-facedwomanwithherkind,widelyseteyesandhersquare,heavyface,linedandpleasantlyugly,theeyesmerry,butthefacesaduntilthelipsmoved.Helookedatherandthenattheman,heavyandstolid,movingoffthroughthetreestowardthecorral.Thewoman,too,waslookingafterhim.

“Didyoumakelove?”thewomansaid.

“Whatdidshesay?”

“Shewouldnottellme.”

“Ineither.”

“Thenyoumadelove,”thewomansaid.“Beascarefulwithherasyoucan.”

“Whatifshehasababy?”

“Thatwilldonoharm,”thewomansaid.“Thatwilldolessharm.”

“Thisisnoplaceforthat.”

“Shewillnotstayhere.Shewillgowithyou.”

“AndwherewillIgo?Ican’ttakeawomanwhereIgo.”

“Whoknows?Youmaytaketwowhereyougo.”

“Thatisnowaytotalk.”

“Listen,”thewomansaid.“Iamnocoward,butIseethingsveryclearlyintheearlymorningandIthinktherearemanythatweknowthatarealivenowwhowillneverseeanotherSunday.”

“Inwhatdayarewe?”

“Sunday.”

“Quéva,”saidRobertJordan.“AnotherSundayisveryfar.IfweseeWednesdayweareallright.ButIdonotliketoheartheetalklikethis.”

“Everyoneneedstotalktosomeone,”thewomansaid.“Beforewehadreligionandothernonsense.Nowforeveryonethereshouldbesomeonetowhomonecanspeakfrankly,forallthevalorthatonecouldhaveonebecomesveryalone.”

“Wearenotalone.Wearealltogether.”

“Thesightofthosemachinesdoesthingstoone,”thewomansaid.“Wearenothingagainstsuchmachines.”

“Yetwecanbeatthem.”

“Look,”thewomansaid.“Iconfessasadnesstoyou,butdonotthinkIlackresolution.Nothinghashappenedtomyresolution.”

“Thesadnesswilldissipateasthesunrises.Itislikeamist.”

“Clearly,”thewomansaid.“Ifyouwantitthatway.PerhapsitcamefromtalkingthatfoolishnessaboutValencia.Andthatfailureofamanwhohasgonetolookathishorses.Iwoundedhimmuchwiththestory.Killhim,yes.Cursehim,yes.Butwoundhim,no.”

“Howcameyoutobewithhim?”

“Howisonewithanyone?Inthefirstdaysofthemovementandbeforetoo,hewassomething.Somethingserious.Butnowheisfinished.Theplughasbeendrawnandthewinehasallrunoutoftheskin.”

“Idonotlikehim.”

“Nordoeshelikeyou,andwithreason.LastnightIsleptwithhim.”Shesmilednowandshookherhead.“Vamosaver,”shesaid.“Isaidtohim,‘Pablo,whydidyounotkilltheforeigner?’

“‘He’sagoodboy,Pilar,’hesaid.‘He’sagoodboy.’

“SoIsaid,‘YouunderstandnowthatIcommand?’

“‘Yes,Pilar.Yes,’hesaid.LaterinthenightIhearhimawakeandheiscrying.Heiscryinginashortanduglymannerasamancrieswhenitisasthoughthereisananimalinsidethatisshakinghim.

“‘Whatpasseswiththee,Pablo?’IsaidtohimandItookholdofhimandheldhim.

“‘Nothing,Pilar.Nothing.’

“‘Yes.Somethingpasseswiththee.’

“‘Thepeople,’hesaid.‘Thewaytheyleftme.Thegente.’

“‘Yes,buttheyarewithme,’Isaid,‘andIamthywoman.’

“‘Pilar,’hesaid,‘rememberthetrain.’Thenhesaid,‘MayGodaidthee,Pilar.’

“‘WhatareyoutalkingofGodfor?’Isaidtohim.‘Whatwayisthattospeak?’

“‘Yes,’hesaid.‘GodandtheVirgen.’

“‘Quéva,GodandtheVirgen,’Isaidtohim.‘Isthatanywaytotalk?’

“‘Iamafraidtodie,Pilar,’hesaid.‘Tengomiedodemorir.Dostthouunderstand?’

“‘Thengetoutofbed,’Isaidtohim.‘Thereisnotroominonebedformeandtheeandthyfearalltogether.’

“ThenhewasashamedandwasquietandIwenttosleepbut,man,he’saruin.”

RobertJordansaidnothing.

“AllmylifeIhavehadthissadnessatintervals,”thewomansaid.“ButitisnotlikethesadnessofPablo.Itdoesnotaffectmyresolution.”

“Ibelievethat.”

“Itmaybeitislikethetimesofawoman,”shesaid.“Itmaybeitisnothing,”shepaused,thenwenton.“IputgreatillusionintheRepublic.IbelievefirmlyintheRepublicandIhavefaith.Ibelieveinitwithfervorasthosewhohavereligiousfaithbelieveinthemysteries.”

“Ibelieveyou.”

“Andyouhavethissamefaith?”

“IntheRepublic?”

“Yes.”

“Yes,”hesaid,hopingitwastrue.

“Iamhappy,”thewomansaid.“Andyouhavenofear?”

“Nottodie,”hesaidtruly.

“Butotherfears?”

“OnlyofnotdoingmydutyasIshould.”

“Notofcapture,astheotherhad?”

“No,”hesaidtruly.“Fearingthat,onewouldbesopreoccupiedastobeuseless.”

“Youareaverycoldboy.”

“No,”hesaid.“Idonotthinkso.”

“No.Intheheadyouareverycold.”

“ItisthatIamverypreoccupiedwithmywork.”

“Butyoudonotlikethethingsoflife?”

“Yes.Verymuch.Butnottointerferewithmywork.”

“Youliketodrink,Iknow.Ihaveseen.”

“Yes.Verymuch.Butnottointerferewithmywork.”

“Andwomen?”

“Ilikethemverymuch,butIhavenotgiventhemmuchimportance.”

“Youdonotcareforthem?”

“Yes.ButIhavenotfoundonethatmovedmeastheysaytheyshouldmoveyou.”

“Ithinkyoulie.”

“Maybealittle.”

“ButyoucareforMaria.”

“Yes.Suddenlyandverymuch.”

“I,too.Icareforherverymuch.Yes.Much.”

“I,too,”saidRobertJordan,andcouldfeelhisvoicethickening.“I,too.Yes.”ItgavehimpleasuretosayitandhesaiditquiteformallyinSpanish.“Icareforherverymuch.”

“IwillleaveyoualonewithherafterwehaveseenElSordo.”

RobertJordansaidnothing.Thenhesaid,“Thatisnotnecessary.”

“Yes,man.Itisnecessary.Thereisnotmuchtime.”

“Didyouseethatinthehand?”heasked.

“No.Donotrememberthatnonsenseofthehand.”

ShehadputthatawaywithalltheotherthingsthatmightdoilltotheRepublic.

RobertJordansaidnothing.HewaslookingatMariaputtingawaythedishesinsidethecave.Shewipedherhandsandturnedandsmiledathim.ShecouldnothearwhatPilarwassaying,butasshesmiledatRobertJordansheblusheddarkunderthetawnyskinandthensmiledathimagain.

“Thereisthedayalso,”thewomansaid.“Youhavethenight,butthereistheday,too.Clearly,thereisnosuchluxuryasinValenciainmytime.Butyoucouldpickafewwildstrawberriesorsomething.”Shelaughed.

RobertJordanputhisarmonherbigshoulder.“Icareforthee,too,”hesaid.“Icarefortheeverymuch.”

“ThouartaregularDonJuanTenorio,”thewomansaid,embarrassednowwithaffection.“Thereisacommencementofcaringforeveryone.HerecomesAgustín.”

RobertJordanwentintothecaveanduptowhereMariawasstanding.Shewatchedhimcometowardher,hereyesbright,theblushagainonhercheeksandthroat.

“Hello,littlerabbit,”hesaidandkissedheronthemouth.Sheheldhimtighttoherandlookedinhisfaceandsaid,“Hello.Oh,hello.Hello.”

Fernando,stillsittingatthetablesmokingacigarette,stoodup,shookhisheadandwalkedout,pickinguphiscarbinefromwhereitleanedagainstthewall.

“Itisveryunformal,”hesaidtoPilar.“AndIdonotlikeit.Youshouldtakecareofthegirl.”

“Iam,”saidPilar.“Thatcomradeishernovio.”

“Oh,”saidFernando.“Inthatcase,sincetheyareengaged,Iencounterittobeperfectlynormal.”

“Iampleased,”thewomansaid.

“Equally,”Fernandoagreedgravely.“Salud,Pilar.”

“Whereareyougoing?”

“TotheupperposttorelievePrimitivo.”

“Wherethehellareyougoing?”Agustínaskedthegravelittlemanashecameup.

“Tomyduty,”Fernandosaidwithdignity.

“Thyduty,”saidAgustínmockingly.“Ibesmirchthemilkofthyduty.”Thenturningtothewoman,“Wheretheun-nameableisthisvilenessthatIamtoguard?”

“Inthecave,”Pilarsaid.“Intwosacks.AndIamtiredofthyobscenity.”

“Iobscenityinthemilkofthytiredness,”Agus—tínsaid.

“Thengoandbefoulthyself,”Pilarsaidtohimwithoutheat.

“Thymother,”Agustínreplied.

“Thouneverhadone,”Pilartoldhim,theinsultsíhavingreachedtheultimateformalisminSpanishinwhichtheactsareneverstatedbutonlyimplied.

“Whataretheydoinginthere?”Agustínnowaskedconfidentially.

“Nothing,”Pilartoldhim.“Nada.Weare,afterall,inthespring,animal.”

“Animal,”saidAgustín,relishingtheword.“Animal.Andthou.Daughterofthegreatwhoreofwhores.Ibefoulmyselfinthemilkofthespringtime.”

Pilarslappedhimontheshoulder.

“You,”shesaid,andlaughedthatboominglaugh.“Youlackvarietyinyourcursing.Butyouhaveforce.Didyouseetheplanes?”

“Iun-nameinthemilkoftheirmotors,”Agustínsaid,noddinghisheadandbitinghislowerlip.

“That’ssomething,”Pilarsaid.“Thatisreallysomething.Butreallydifficultofexecution.”

“Atthataltitude,yes,”Agustíngrinned.“Desdeluego.Butitisbettertojoke.”

“Yes,”thewomanofPablosaid.“Itismuchbettertojoke,andyouareagoodmanandyoujokewithforce.”

“Listen,Pilar,”Agustínsaidseriously.“Somethingispreparing.Itisnottrue?”

“Howdoesitseemtoyou?”

“Ofafoulnessthatcannotbeworse.Thoseweremanyplanes,woman.Manyplanes.”

“Andthouhastcaughtfearfromthemlikealltheothers?”

“Quéva,”saidAgustín.“Whatdoyouthinktheyarepreparing?”

“Look,”Pilarsaid.“FromthisboycomingforthebridgesobviouslytheRepublicispreparinganoffensive.FromtheseplanesobviouslytheFascistsarepreparingtomeetit.Butwhyshowtheplanes?”

“Inthiswararemanyfoolishthings,”Agustínsaid.“Inthiswarthereisanidiocywithoutbounds.”

“Clearly,”saidPilar.“Otherwisewecouldnotbehere.”

“Yes,”saidAgustín.“Weswimwithintheidiocyforayearnow.ButPabloisamanofmuchunderstanding.Pabloisverywily.”

“Whydoyousaythis?”

“Isayit.”

“Butyoumustunderstand,”Pilarexplained.“Itisnowtoolatetobesavedbywilinessandhehaslosttheother.”

“Iunderstand,”saidAgustín.“Iknowwemustgo.Andsincewemustwintosurviveultimately,itisnecessarythatthebridgesmustbeblown.ButPablo,forthecowardthathenowis,isverysmart.”

“I,too,amsmart.”

“No,Pilar,”Agustínsaid.“Youarenotsmart.Youarebrave.Youareloyal.Youhavedecision.Youhaveintuition.Muchdecisionandmuchheart.Butyouarenotsmart.”

“Youbelievethat?”thewomanaskedthoughtfully.

“Yes,Pilar.”

“Theboyissmart,”thewomansaid.“Smartandcold.Verycoldinthehead.”

“Yes,”Agustínsaid.“Hemustknowhisbusinessortheywouldnothavehimdoingthis.ButIdonotknowthatheissmart.PabloIknowissmart.”

“Butrendereduselessbyhisfearandhisdisinclinationtoaction.”

“Butstillsmart.”

“Andwhatdoyousay?”

“Nothing.Itrytoconsideritintelligently.Inthismomentweneedtoactwithintelligence.Afterthebridgewemustleaveatonce.Allmustbeprepared.Wemustknowforwhereweareleavingandhow.”

“Naturally.”

“Forthis——Pablo.Itmustbedonesmartly.”

“IhavenoconfidenceinPablo.”

“Inthis,yes.”

“No.Youdonotknowhowfarheisruined.”

“Peroesmuyvivo.Heisverysmart.Andifwedonotdothissmartlyweareobscenitied.”

“Iwillthinkaboutit,”Pilarsaid.“Ihavethedaytothinkaboutit.”

“Forthebridges;theboy,”Agustínsaid.“Thishemustknow.Lookatthefinemannerinwhichtheotherorganizedthetrain.”

“Yes,”Pilarsaid.“Itwasreallyhewhoplannedall.”

“Youforenergyandresolution,”Agustínsaid.“ButPabloforthemoving.Pablofortheretreat.Forcehimnowtostudyit.”

“Youareamanofintelligence.”

“Intelligent,yes,”Agustínsaid.“Butsinpicardia.Pabloforthat.”

“Withhisfearandall?”

“Withhisfearandall.”

“Andwhatdoyouthinkofthebridges?”

“Itisnecessary.ThatIknow.Twothingswemustdo.Wemustleavehereandwemustwin.ThebridgesarenecessaryifwearetoWin.”

“IfPabloissosmart,whydoeshenotseethat?”

“Hewantsthingsastheyareforhisownweakness.Hewantstostayintheeddyofhisownweakness.Buttheriverisrising.Forcedtoachange,hewillbesmartinthechange.Esmuyvivo.”

“Itisgoodthattheboydidnotkillhim.”

“Quéva.Thegypsywantedmetokillhimlastnight.Thegypsyisananimal.”

“You’reananimal,too,”shesaid.“Butintelligent.”

“Wearebothintelligent,”Agustínsaid.“ButthetalentisPablo!”

“Butdifficulttoputupwith.Youdonotknowhowruined.”

“Yes.Butatalent.Look,Pilar.Tomakewarallyouneedisintelligence.Buttowinyouneedtalentandmaterial.”

“Iwillthinkitover,”shesaid.“Wemuststartnow.Wearelate.”Then,raisinghervoice,“English!”shecalled.“Inglé!Comeon!Letusgo.”