CHAPTER 10

“Letusrest,”PilarsaidtoRobertJordan.“Sitdownhere,Maria,andletusrest.”

“Weshouldcontinue,”RobertJordansaid.“Restwhenwegetthere.Imustseethisman.”

“Youwillseehim,”thewomantoldhim.“Thereisnohurry.Sitdownhere,Maria.”

“Comeon,”RobertJordansaid.“Restatthetop.”

“Irestnow,”thewomansaid,andsatdownbythestream.Thegirlsatbyherintheheather,thesunshiningonherhair.OnlyRobertJordanstoodlookingacrossthehighmountainmeadowwiththetroutbrookrunningthroughit.Therewasheathergrowingwherehestood.Thereweregraybouldersrisingfromtheyellowbrackenthatreplacedtheheatherinthelowerpartofthemeadowandbelowwasthedarklineofthepines.

“HowfarisittoElSordo’s?”heasked.

“Notfar,”thewomansaid.“Itisacrossthisopencountry,downintothenextvalleyandabovethetimberattheheadofthestream.Sittheedownandforgetthyseriousness.”

“Iwanttoseehimandgetitoverwith.”

“Iwanttobathemyfeet,”thewomansaidand,takingoffherrope-soledshoesandpullingoffaheavywoolstocking,sheputherrightfootintothestream.“MyGod,it’scold.”

“Weshouldhavetakenhorses,”RobertJordantoldher.

“Thisisgoodforme,”thewomansaid.“ThisiswhatIhavebeenmissing.What’sthematterwithyou?”

“Nothing,exceptthatIaminahurry.”

“Thencalmyourself.Thereismuchtime.WhatadayitisandhowIamcontentednottobeinpinetrees.Youcannotimaginehowonecantireofpinetrees.Aren’tyoutiredofthepines,guapa?”

“Ilikethem,”thegirlsaid.

“Whatcanyoulikeaboutthem?”

“Iliketheodorandthefeeloftheneedlesunderfoot.Ilikethewindinthehightreesandthecreakingtheymakeagainsteachother.”

“Youlikeanything,”Pilarsaid.“Youareagifttoanymanifyoucouldcookalittlebetter.Butthepinetreemakesaforestofboredom.Thouhastneverknownaforestofbeech,norofoak,norofchestnut.Thoseareforests.Insuchforestseachtreediffersandthereischaracterandbeauty.Aforestofpinetreesisboredom.Whatdoyousay,Inglé?”

“Ilikethepines,too.”

“Pero,venga,”Pilarsaid.“Twoofyou.SodoIlikethepines,butwehavebeentoolonginthesepines.AlsoIamtiredofthemountains.Inmountainsthereareonlytwodirections.DownandupanddownleadsonlytotheroadandthetownsoftheFascists.”

“DoyouevergotoSegovia?”

“Quéva.Withthisface?Thisisafacethatisknown.Howwouldyouliketobeugly,beautifulone?”shesaidtoMaria.

“Thouartnotugly.”

“Vamos,I’mnotugly.Iwasbornugly.AllmylifeIhavebeenugly.You,Inglé,whoknownothingaboutwomen.Doyouknowhowanuglywomanfeels?Doyouknowwhatitistobeuglyallyourlifeandinsidetofeelthatyouarebeautiful?Itisveryrare,”sheputtheotherfootinthestream,thenremovedit.“God,it’scold.Lookatthewaterwagtail,”shesaidandpointedtothegrayballofabirdthatwasbobbingupanddownonastoneupthestream.“Thosearenogoodforanything.Neithertosingnortoeat.Onlytojerktheirtailsupanddown.Givemeacigarette,Inglé,”shesaidandtakingit,lititfromaflintandsteellighterinthepocketofherskirt.ShepuffedonthecigaretteandlookedatMariaandRobertJordan.

“Lifeisverycurious,”shesaid,andblewsmokefromhernostrils.“Iwouldhavemadeagoodman,butIamallwomanandallugly.YetmanymenhavelovedmeandIhavelovedmanymen.Itiscurious.Listen,Inglé,thisisinteresting.Lookatme,asuglyasIam.Lookclosely,Inglé.”

“Thouartnotugly.”

“Quéno?Don’tlietome.Or,”shelaughedthedeeplaugh.“Hasitbeguntoworkwiththee?No.Thatisajoke.No.Lookattheugliness.Yetonehasafeelingwithinonethatblindsamanwhilehelovesyou.You,withthatfeeling,blindhim,andblindyourself.Thenoneday,fornoreason,heseesyouuglyasyoureallyareandheisnotblindanymoreandthenyouseeyourselfasuglyasheseesyouandyouloseyourmanandyourfeeling.Doyouunderstand,guapa?”Shepattedthegirlontheshoulder.

“No,”saidMaria.“Becausethouartnotugly.”

“Trytousethyheadandnotthyheart,andlisten,”Pilarsaid.“Iamtellingyouthingsofmuchinterest.Doesitnotinterestyou,Inglé?”

“Yes.Butweshouldgo.”

“Quéva,go.Iamverywellhere.Then,”shewenton,addressingherselftoRobertJordannowasthoughshewerespeakingtoaclassroom;almostasthoughshewerelecturing.“Afterawhile,whenyouareasuglyasIam,asuglyaswomencanbe,then,asIsay,afterawhilethefeeling,theidioticfeelingthatyouarebeautiful,growsslowlyinoneagain.Itgrowslikeacabbage.Andthen,whenthefeelingisgrown,anothermanseesyouandthinksyouarebeautifulanditisalltodoover.NowIthinkIampastit,butitstillmightcome.Youarelucky,guapa,thatyouarenotugly.”

“ButIamugly,”Mariainsisted.

“Askhim,”saidPilar.“Anddon’tputthyfeetinthestreambecauseitwillfreezethem.”

“IfRobertosaysweshouldgo,Ithinkweshouldgo,”Mariasaid.

“Listentoyou,”Pilarsaid.“IhaveasmuchatstakeinthisasthyRobertoandIsaythatwearewelloffrestingherebythestreamandthatthereismuchtime.Furthermore,Iliketotalk.Itistheonlycivilizedthingwehave.Howotherwisecanwedivertourselves?DoeswhatIsaynotholdinterestforyou,Inglé?”

“Youspeakverywell.Butthereareotherthingsthatinterestmemorethantalkofbeautyorlackofbeauty.”

“Thenletustalkofwhatintereststhee.”

“Wherewereyouatthestartofthemovement?”

“Inmytown.”

“Avila?”

“Quéva,Avila.”

“PablosaidhewasfromAvila.”

“Helies.Hewantedtotakeabigcityforhistown.Itwasthistown,”andshenamedatown.

“Andwhathappened?”

“Much,”thewomansaid.“Much.Andallofitugly.Eventhatwhichwasglorious.”

“Tellmeaboutit,”RobertJordansaid.

“Itisbrutal,”thewomansaid.“Idonotliketotellitbeforethegirl.”

“Tellit,”saidRobertJordan.“Andifitisnotforher,thatsheshouldnotlisten.”

“Icanhearit,”Mariasaid.SheputherhandonRobertJordan’s.“ThereisnothingthatIcannothear.”

“Itisn’twhetheryoucanhearit,”Pilarsaid.“ItiswhetherIshouldtellittotheeandmaketheebaddreams.”

“Iwillnotgetbaddreamsfromastory,”Mariatoldher.“YouthinkafterallthathashappenedwithusIshouldgetbaddreamsfromastory?”

“MaybeitwillgivetheInglébaddreams.”

“Tryitandsee.”

“No,Inglé,Iamnotjoking.Didstthouseethestartofthemovementinanysmalltown?”

“No,”RobertJordansaid.

“Thenthouhastseennothing.ThouhastseentheruinthatnowisPablo,butyoushouldhaveseenPabloonthatday.”

“Tellit.”

“Nay.Idonotwantto.”

“Tellit.”

“Allright,then.Iwilltellittrulyasitwas.Butthee,guapa,ifitreachesapointthatitmoleststhee,tellme.”

“Iwillnotlistentoitifitmolestsme,”Mariatoldher.“Itcannotbeworsethanmanythings.”

“Ibelieveitcan,”thewomansaid.“Givemeanothercigarette,Inglé,andvamonos.”

ThegirlleanedbackagainsttheheatheronthebankofthestreamandRobertJordanstretchedhimselfout,hisshouldersagainstthegroundandhisheadagainstaclumpoftheheather.HereachedoutandfoundMaria’shandandhelditinhis,rubbingtheirtwohandsagainsttheheatheruntilsheopenedherhandandlaiditflatontopofhisastheylistened.

“Itwasearlyinthemorningwhenthecivilessurrenderedatthebarracks,”Pilarbegan.

“Youhadassaultedthebarracks?”RobertJordanasked.

“Pablohadsurroundeditinthedark,cutthetelephonewires,placeddynamiteunderonewallandcalledontheguardiaciviltosurrender.Theywouldnot.Andatdaylightheblewthewallopen.Therewasfighting.Twocivileswerekilled.Fourwerewoundedandfoursurrendered.

“Wealllayonroofsandonthegroundandattheedgeofwallsandofbuildingsintheearlymorninglightandthedustcloudoftheexplosionhadnotyetsettled,foritrosehighintheairandtherewasnowindtocarryit,andallofuswerefiringintothebrokensideofthebuilding,loadingandfiringintothesmoke,andfromwithintherewasstilltheflashingofriflesandthentherewasashoutfrominthesmokenottofiremore,andoutcamethefourcivileswiththeirhandsup.Abigpartoftheroofhadfalleninandthewallwasgoneandtheycameouttosurrender.

“‘Aretheremoreinside?’Pabloshouted.

“‘Therearewounded.’

“‘Guardthese,’Pablosaidtofourwhohadcomeupfromwherewewerefiring.‘Standthere.Againstthewall,’hetoldtheciviles.Thefourcivilesstoodagainstthewall,dirty,dusty,smoke-grimed,withthefourwhowereguardingthempointingtheirgunsatthemandPabloandtheotherswentintofinishthewounded.

“Aftertheyhaddonethisandtherewasnolongeranynoiseofthewounded,neithergroaning,norcryingout,northenoiseofshootinginthebarracks,PabloandtheotherscameoutandPablohadhisshotgunoverhisbackandwascarryinginhishandaMauserpistol.

“‘Look,Pilar,’hesaid.‘Thiswasinthehandoftheofficerwhokilledhimself.NeverhaveIfiredapistol.You,’hesaidtooneoftheguards,‘showmehowitworks.No.Don’tshowme.Tellme.’

“Thefourcivileshadstoodagainstthewall,sweatingandsayingnothingwhiletheshootinghadgoneoninsidethebarracks.Theywerealltallmenwiththefacesofguardiasciviles,whichisthesamemodeloffaceasmineis.Exceptthattheirfaceswerecoveredwiththesmallstubbleofthistheirlastmorningofnotyetbeingshavedandtheystoodthereagainstthewallandsaidnothing.

“‘You,’saidPablototheonewhostoodnearesthim.‘Tellmehowitworks.’

“‘Pullthesmallleverdown,’themansaidinaverydryvoice.‘Pullthereceiverbackandletitsnapforward.’

“‘Whatisthereceiver?’askedPablo,andhelookedatthefourciviles.‘Whatisthereceiver?’

“‘Theblockontopoftheaction.’

“Pablopulleditback,butitstuck.‘Whatnow?’hesaid.‘Itisjammed.Youhaveliedtome.’

“‘Pullitfartherbackandletitsnaplightlyforward,’thecivilsaid,andIhaveneverheardsuchatoneofvoice.Itwasgrayerthanamorningwithoutsunrise.

“Pablopulledandletgoasthemanhadtoldhimandtheblocksnappedforwardintoplaceandthepistolwascockedwiththehammerback.Itisanuglypistol,smallintheroundhandle,largeandflatinthebarrel,andunwieldy.Allthistimethecivileshadbeenwatchinghimandtheyhadsaidnothing.

“‘Whatareyougoingtodowithus?’oneaskedhim.

“‘Shootthee,’Pablosaid.

“‘When?’themanaskedinthesamegrayvoice.

“‘Now,’saidPablo.

“‘Where?’askedtheman.

“‘Here,’saidPablo.‘Here.Now.Hereandnow.Haveyouanythingtosay?’

“‘Nada,’saidthecivil.‘Nothing.Butitisanuglything.’

“‘Andyouareanuglything,’Pablosaid.‘Youmurdererofpeasants.Youwhowouldshootyourownmother.’

“‘Ihaveneverkilledanyone,’thecivilsaid.‘Anddonotspeakofmymother.’

“‘Showushowtodie.You,whohavealwaysdonethekilling.’

“‘Thereisnonecessitytoinsultus,’anothercivilsaid.‘Andweknowhowtodie.’

“‘Kneeldownagainstthewallwithyourheadsagainstthewall,’Pablotoldthem.Thecivileslookedatoneanother.

“‘Kneel,Isay,’Pablosaid.‘Getdownandkneel.’

“‘Howdoesitseemtoyou,Paco?’onecivilsaidtothetallest,whohadspokenwithPabloaboutthepistol.Heworeacorporal’sstripesonhissleevesandwassweatingverymuchalthoughtheearlymorningwasstillcool.

“‘Itisaswelltokneel,’heanswered.‘Itisofnoimportance.’

“‘Itisclosertotheearth,’thefirstonewhohadspokensaid,tryingtomakeajoke,buttheywerealltoograveforajokeandnoonesmiled.

“‘Thenletuskneel,’thefirstcivilsaid,andthefourknelt,lookingveryawkwardwiththeirheadsagainstthewallandtheirhandsbytheirsides,andPablopassedbehindthemandshoteachinturninthebackoftheheadwiththepistol,goingfromonetoanotherandputtingthebarrelofthepistolagainstthebackoftheirheads,eachmanslippingdownashefired.Icanhearthepistolstill,sharpandyetmuffled,andseethebarreljerkandtheheadofthemandropforward.Oneheldhisheadstillwhenthepistoltouchedit.Onepushedhisheadforwardandpressedhisforeheadagainstthestone.Oneshiveredinhiswholebodyandhisheadwasshaking.Onlyoneputhishandsinfrontofhiseyes,andhewasthelastone,andthefourbodieswereslumpedagainstthewallwhenPabloturnedawayfromthemandcametowarduswiththepistolstillinhishand.

“‘Holdthisforme,Pilar,’hesaid.‘Idonotknowhowtoputdownthehammer,’andhehandedmethepistolandstoodtherelookingatthefourguardsastheylayagainstthewallofthebarracks.Allthosewhowerewithusstoodtheretoo,lookingatthem,andnoonesaidanything.

“Wehadwonthetownanditwasstillearlyinthemorningandnoonehadeatennorhadanyonedrunkcoffeeandwelookedateachotherandwewereallpowderedwithdustfromtheblowingupofthebarracks,aspowderedasmenareatathreshing,andIstoodholdingthepistolanditwasheavyinmyhandandIfeltweakinthestomachwhenIlookedattheguardsdeadthereagainstthewall;theyallasgrayandasdustyaswewere,buteachonewasnowmoisteningwithhisbloodthedrydirtbythewallwheretheylay.Andaswestoodtherethesunroseoverthefarhillsandshonenowontheroadwherewestoodandonthewhitewallofthebarracksandthedustintheairwasgoldeninthatfirstsunandthepeasantwhowasbesidemelookedatthewallofthebarracksandwhatlaythereandthenlookedatusandthenatthesunandsaid,‘Vaya,adaythatcommences.’

“‘Nowletusgoandgetcoffee,’Isaid.

“‘Good,Pilar,good,’hesaid.AndwewentupintothetowntothePlaza,andthosewerethelastpeoplewhowereshotinthevillage.”

“Whathappenedtotheothers?”RobertJordanasked.“Weretherenootherfascistsinthevillage?”

“Quéva,weretherenootherfascists?Thereweremorethantwenty.Butnonewasshot.”

“Whatwasdone?”

“Pablohadthembeatentodeathwithflailsandthrownfromthetopofthecliffintotheriver.”

“Alltwenty?”

“Iwilltellyou.Itisnotsosimple.AndinmylifeneverdoIwishtoseesuchasceneastheflailingtodeathintheplazaonthetopofthecliffabovetheriver.

“Thetownisbuiltonthehighbankabovetheriverandthereisasquaretherewithafountainandtherearebenchesandtherearebigtreesthatgiveashadeforthebenches.Thebalconiesofthehouseslookoutontheplaza.Sixstreetsenterontheplazaandthereisanarcadefromthehousesthatgoesaroundtheplazasothatonecanwalkintheshadeofthearcadewhenthesunishot.Onthreesidesoftheplazaisthearcadeandonthefourthsideisthewalkshadedbythetreesbesidetheedgeofthecliffwith,farbelow,theriver.Itisthreehundredfeetdowntotheriver.

“Pabloorganizeditallashedidtheattackonthebarracks.Firsthehadtheentrancestothestreetsblockedoffwithcartsasthoughtoorganizetheplazeforacapea.Foranamateurbullfight.ThefascistswereallheldintheAyuntamiento,thecityhall,whichwasthelargestbuildingononesideoftheplaza.Itwastheretheclockwassetinthewallanditwasinthebuildingsunderthearcadethattheclubofthefascistswas.Andunderthearcadeonthesidewalkinfrontoftheirclubwaswheretheyhadtheirchairsandtablesfortheirclub.Itwasthere,beforethemovement,thattheywereaccustomedtotaketheapéritifs.Thechairsandthetableswereofwicker.Itlookedlikeacafébutwasmoreelegant.”

“Butwastherenofightingtotakethem?”

“Pablohadthemseizedinthenightbeforeheassaultedthebarracks.Buthehadalreadysurroundedthebarracks.Theywereallseizedintheirhomesatthesamehourtheattackstarted.Thatwasintelligent.Pabloisanorganizer.Otherwisehewouldhavehadpeopleattackinghimathisflanksandathisrearwhilehewasassaultingthebarracksoftheguardiacivil.

“Pabloisveryintelligentbutverybrutal.Hehadthisofthevillagewellplannedandwellordered.Listen.Aftertheassaultwassuccessful,andthelastfourguardshadsurrendered,andhehadshotthemagainstthewall,andwehaddrunkcoffeeatthecaféthatalwaysopenedearliestinthemorningbythecornerfromwhichtheearlybusleft,heproceededtotheorganizationoftheplaza.Cartswerepiledexactlyasforacapeaexceptthatthesidetowardtheriverwasnotenclosed.Thatwasleftopen.ThenPabloorderedthepriesttoconfessthefascistsandgivethemthenecessarysacraments.”

“Wherewasthisdone?”

“IntheAyuntamiento,asIsaid.Therewasagreatcrowdoutsideandwhilethiswasgoingoninsidewiththepriest,therewassomelevityoutsideandshoutingofobscenities,butmostofthepeoplewereveryseriousandrespectful.Thosewhomadejokeswerethosewhowerealreadydrunkfromthecelebrationofthetakingofthebarracksandtherewereuselesscharacterswhowouldhavebeendrunkatanytime.

“Whilethepriestwasengagedintheseduties,Pabloorganizedthoseintheplazaintotwolines.

“Heplacedthemintwolinesasyouwouldplacemenforaropepullingcontest,orastheystandinacitytowatchtheendingofabicycleroadracewithjustroomforthecycliststopassbetween,orasmenstoodtoallowthepassageofaholyimageinaprocession.TwometerswasleftbetweenthelinesandtheyextendedfromthedooroftheAyuntamientoclearacrosstheplazatotheedgeofthecliff.Sothat,fromthedoorwayoftheAyuntamiento,lookingacrosstheplaza,onecomingoutwouldseetwosolidlinesofpeoplewaiting.

“Theywerearmedwithflailssuchasareusedtobeatoutthegrainandtheywereagoodflail’slengthapart.Alldidnothaveflails,asenoughflailscouldnotbeobtained.ButmosthadflailsobtainedfromthestoreofDonGuillermoMartin,whowasafascistandsoldallsortsofagriculturalimplements.Andthosewhodidnothaveflailshadheavyherdsman’sclubs,orox-goads,andsomehadwoodenpitchforks;thosewithwoodentinesthatareusedtoforkthechaffandstrawintotheairaftertheflailing.SomehadsicklesandreapinghooksbutthesePabloplacedatthefarendwherethelinesreachedtheedgeofthecliff.

“Theselineswerequietanditwasaclearday,astodayisclear,andtherewerecloudshighinthesky,astherearenow,andtheplazawasnotyetdustyfortherehadbeenaheavydewinthenight,andthetreescastashadeoverthemeninthelinesandyoucouldhearthewaterrunningfromthebrasspipeinthemouthofthelionandfallingintothebowlofthefountainwherethewomenbringthewaterjarstofillthem.

“OnlyneartheAyuntamiento,wherethepriestwascomplyingwithhisdutieswiththefascists,wasthereanyribaldry,andthatcamefromthoseworthlessoneswho,asIsaid,werealreadydrunkandwerecrowdedaroundthewindowsshoutingobscenitiesandjokesinbadtasteinthroughtheironbarsofthewindows.Mostof’themeninthelineswerewaitingquietlyandIheardonesaytoanother,‘Willtherebewomen?’

“Andanothersaid,‘IhopetoChrist,no.’

“Thenonesaid,‘HereisthewomanofPablo.Listen,Pilar.Willtherebewomen?’

“IlookedathimandhewasapeasantdressedinhisSundayjacketandsweatingheavilyandIsaid,‘No,Joaquín.Therearenowomen.Wearenotkillingthewomen.Whyshouldwekilltheirwomen?’

“Andhesaid,‘ThanksbetoChrist,therearenowomenandwhendoesitstart?’

“AndIsaid,‘Assoonasthepriestfinishes.’

“‘Andthepriest?’

“‘Idon’tknow,’ItoldhimandIsawhisfaceworkingandthesweatcomingdownonhisforehead.‘Ihaveneverkilledaman,’hesaid.

“‘Thenyouwilllearn,’thepeasantnexttohimsaid.‘ButIdonotthinkoneblowwiththiswillkillaman,’andheheldhisflailinbothhandsandlookedatitwithdoubt.

“‘Thatisthebeautyofit,’anotherpeasantsaid.‘Theremustbemanyblows.’

“‘TheyhavetakenValladolid.TheyhaveAvila,’someonesaid.‘Iheardthatbeforewecameintotown.’

“‘Theywillnevertakethistown.Thistownisours.Wehavestruckaheadofthem,’Isaid.‘Pabloisnotonetowaitforthemtostrike.’

“‘Pabloisable,’anothersaid.‘Butinthisfinishingoffofthecivileshewasegoistic.Don’tyouthinkso,Pilar?’

“‘Yes,’Isaid.‘Butnowallareparticipatinginthis.’

“‘Yes,’hesaid.‘Itiswellorganized.Butwhydowenothearmorenewsofthemovement?’

“‘Pablocutthetelephonewiresbeforetheassaultonthebarracks.Theyarenotyetrepaired.’

“‘Ah,’hesaid.‘Itisforthiswehearnothing.Ihadmynewsfromtheroadmender’sstationearlythismorning.’

“‘Whyisthisdonethus,Pilar?’hesaidtome.

“‘Tosavebullets,’Isaid.‘Andthateachmanshouldhavehisshareintheresponsibility.’

“‘Thatitshouldstartthen.Thatitshouldstart.’AndIlookedathimandsawthathewascrying.

“‘Whyareyoucrying,Joaquín?’Iaskedhim.‘Thisisnottocryabout’

“‘Icannothelpit,Pilar,’hesaid.‘Ihaveneverkilledanyone.’

“Ifyouhavenotseenthedayofrevolutioninasmalltownwhereallknowallinthetownandalwayshaveknownall,youhaveseennothing.Andonthisdaymostofthemeninthedoublelineacrosstheplazaworetheclothesinwhichtheyworkedinthefields,havingcomeintotownhurriedly,butsome,notknowinghowoneshoulddressforthefirstdayofamovement,woretheirclothesforSundaysorholidays,andthese,seeingthattheothers,includingthosewhohadattackedthebarracks,woretheiroldestclothes,wereashamedofbeingwronglydressed.Buttheydidnotliketotakeofftheirjacketsforfearoflosingthem,orthattheymightbestolenbytheworthlessones,andsotheystood,sweatinginthesunandwaitingforittocommence.

“ThenthewindroseandthedustwasnowdryintheplazaforthemenwalkingandstandingandshufflinghadlooseneditanditcommencedtoblowandamaninadarkblueSundayjacketshouted‘Agua!Agua!’andthecaretakeroftheplaza,whosedutyitwastosprinkletheplazaeachmorningwithahose,cameandturnedthehoseonandcommencedtolaythedustattheedgeoftheplaza,andthentowardthecenter.Thenthetwolinesfellbackandlethimlaythedustoverthecenteroftheplaza;thehosesweepinginwidearcsandthewaterglisteninginthesunandthemenleaningontheirflailsortheclubsorthewhitewoodpitchforksandwatchingthesweepofthestreamofwater.Andthen,whentheplazawasnicelymoistenedandthedustsettled,thelinesformedupagainandapeasantshouted,‘Whendowegetthefirstfascist?Whendoesthefirstonecomeoutofthebox?’

“‘Soon,’PabloshoutedfromthedooroftheAyuntamiento.‘Soonthefirstonecomesout.’Hisvoicewashoarsefromshoutingintheassaultandfromthesmokeofthebarracks.

“‘What’sthedelay?’someoneasked.

“‘They’restilloccupiedwiththeirsins,’Pabloshouted.

“‘Clearly,therearetwentyofthem,’amansaid.

“‘More,’saidanother.

“‘Amongtwentytherearemanysinstorecount.’

“‘Yes,butIthinkit’satricktogaintime.Surelyfacingsuchanemergencyonecouldnotrememberone’ssinsexceptforthebiggest.’

“‘Thenhavepatience.Forwithmorethantwentyofthemthereareenoughofthebiggestsinstotakesometime.’

“‘Ihavepatience,’saidtheother.‘Butitisbettertogetitoverwith.Bothforthemandforus.ItisJulyandthereismuchwork.Wehaveharvestedbutwehavenotthreshed.Wearenotyetinthetimeoffairsandfestivals.’

“‘Butthiswillbeafairandfestivaltoday,’anothersaid.‘TheFairofLibertyandfromthisday,whentheseareextinguished,thetownandthelandareours.’

“‘Wethreshfasciststoday,’saidone,‘andoutofthechaffcomesthefreedomofthispueblo.’

“‘Wemustadministeritwelltodeserveit,’saidanother.‘Pilar,’hesaidtome,‘whendowehaveameetingfororganization?’

“‘Immediatelyafterthisiscompleted,’Itoldhim.‘InthesamebuildingoftheAyuntamiento.’

“Iwaswearingoneofthethree-corneredpatentleatherhatsoftheguardiacivilasajokeandIhadputthehammerdownonthepistol,holdingitwithmythumbtoloweritasIpulledonthetriggerasseemednatural,andthepistolwasheldinaropeIhadaroundmywaist,thelongbarrelstuckundertherope.AndwhenIputitonthejokeseemedverygoodtome,althoughafterwardsIwishedIhadtakentheholsterofthepistolinsteadofthehat.Butoneofthemeninthelinesaidtome,‘Pilar,daughter.Itseemstomebadtastefortheetowearthathat.Nowwehavefinishedwithsuchthingsastheguardiacivil.’

“‘Then,’Isaid,‘Iwilltakeitoff.’AndIdid.

“‘Giveittome,’hesaid.‘Itshouldbedestroyed.’

“Andaswewereatthefarendofthelinewherethewalkrunsalongthecliffbytheriver,hetookthehatinhishandandsaileditoffoverthecliffwiththemotionaherdsmanmakesthrowingastoneunderhandatthebullstoherdthem.Thehatsailedfaroutintospaceandwecouldseeitsmallerandsmaller,thepatentleathershiningintheclearair,sailingdowntotheriver.IlookedbackoverthesquareandatallthewindowsandallthebalconiestherewerepeoplecrowdedandtherewasthedoublelineofmenacrossthesquaretothedoorwayoftheAyuntamientoandthecrowdswarmedOutsideagainstthewindowsofthatbuildingandtherewasthenoiseofmanypeopletalking,andthenIheardashoutandsomeonesaid‘Herecomesthefirstone,’anditwasDonBenitoGarcia,theMayor,andhecameoutbareheadedwalkingslowlyfromthedooranddowntheporchandnothinghappened;andhewalkedbetweenthelineofmenwiththeflailsandnothinghappened.Hepassedtwomen,fourmen,eightmen,tenmenandnothinghappenedandhewaswalkingbetweenthatlineofmen,hisheadup,hisfatfacegray,hiseyeslookingaheadandthenflickeringfromsidetosideandwalkingsteadily.Andnothinghappened.

“Fromabalconysomeonecriedout,‘Quépasa,cobardes?Whatisthematter,cowards?’andstillDonBenitowalkedalongbetweenthemenandnothinghappened.ThenIsawamanthreemendownfromwhereIwasstandingandhisfacewasworkingandhewasbitinghislipsandhishandswerewhiteonhisflail.IsawhimlookingtowardDonBenito,watchinghimcomeon.Andstillnothinghappened.Then,justbeforeDonBenitocameabreastofthisman,themanraisedhisflailhighsothatitstruckthemanbesidehimandsmashedablowatDonBenitothathithimonthesideoftheheadandDonBenitolookedathimandthemanstruckagainandshouted,‘Thatforyou,Cabron,’andtheblowhitDonBenitointhefaceandheraisedhishandstohisfaceandtheybeathimuntilhefellandthemanwhohadstruckhimfirstcalledtootherstohelphimandhepulledonthecollarofDonBenito’sshirtandotherstookholdofhisarmsandwithhisfaceinthedustoftheplaza,theydraggedhimoverthewalktotheedgeofthecliffandthrewhimoverandintotheriver.Andthemanwhohithimfirstwaskneelingbytheedgeoftheclifflookingoverafterhimandsaying,‘TheCabron!TheCabron!Oh,theCabron!’HewasatenantofDonBenitoandtheyhadnevergottenalongtogether.TherehadbeenadisputeaboutapieceoflandbytheriverthatDonBenitohadtakenfromthismanandlettoanotherandthismanhadlonghatedhim.ThismandidnotjointhelineagainbutsatbytheclifflookingdownwhereDonBenitohadfallen.

“AfterDonBenitonoonewouldcomeout.Therewasnonoisenowintheplazaasallwerewaitingtoseewhoitwasthatwouldcomeout.Thenadrunkardshoutedinagreatvoice,‘Quésalgaeltoro!Letthebullout!’

“ThensomeonefrombythewindowsoftheAyuntamientoyelled,‘Theywon’tmove!Theyareallpraying!’

“Anotherdrunkardshouted,‘Pullthemout.Comeon,pullthemout.Thetimeforprayingisfinished.’

“ButnonecameoutandthenIsawamancomingoutofthedoor.

“ItwasDonFedericoGonzalez,whoownedthemillandfeedstoreandwasafascistofthefirstorder.Hewastallandthinandhishairwasbrushedoverthetopofhisheadfromonesidetotheothertocoverabaldnessandheworeanightshirtthatwastuckedintohistrousers.HewasbarefootedaswhenhehadbeentakenfromhishomeandhewalkedaheadofPabloholdinghishandsabovehishead,andPablowalkedbehindhimwiththebarrelsofhisshotgunpressingagainstthebackofDonFedericoGonzalezuntilDonFedericoenteredthedoubleline.ButwhenPablolefthimandreturnedtothedooroftheAyuntamiento,DonFedericocouldnotwalkforward,andstoodthere,hiseyesturneduptoheavenandhishandsreachingupasthoughtheywouldgraspthesky.

“‘Hehasnolegstowalk,’someonesaid.

“‘What’sthematter,DonFederico?Can’tyouwalk?’someoneshoutedtohim.ButDonFedericostoodtherewithhishandsupandonlyhislipsweremoving.

“‘Geton,’Pabloshoutedtohimfromthesteps.‘Walk.’

“DonFedericostoodthereandcouldnotmove.OneofthedrunkardspokedhiminthebacksidewithaflailhandleandDonFedericogaveaquickjumpasabalkyhorsemight,butstillstoodinthesameplace,hishandsup,andhiseyesuptowardthesky.

“Thenthepeasantwhostoodbesidemesaid,‘Thisisshameful.Ihavenothingagainsthimbutsuchaspectaclemustterminate.’SohewalkeddownthelineandpushedthroughtowhereDonFedericowasstandingandsaid,‘Withyourpermission,’andhithimagreatblowalongsideoftheheadwithaclub.

“ThenDonFedericodroppedhishandsandputthemoverthetopofhisheadwherethebaldplacewasandwithhisheadbentandcoveredbyhishands,thethinlonghairsthatcoveredthebaldplaceescapingthroughhisfingers,heranfastthroughthedoublelineWithflailsfallingonhisbackandshouldersuntilhefellandthoseattheendofthelinepickedhimupandswunghimoverthecliff.NeverdidheopenhismouthfromthemomenthecameoutpushedbytheshotgunofPablo.Hisonlydifficultywastomoveforward.Itwasasthoughhehadnocommandofhislegs.

“AfterDonFederico,IsawtherewasaconcentrationofthehardestmenattheendofthelinesbytheedgeofthecliffandIleftthereandIwenttotheArcadeoftheAyuntamientoandpushedasidetwodrunkardsandlookedinthewindow.InthebigroomoftheAyuntamientotheywereallkneelinginahalfcircleprayingandthepriestwaskneelingandprayingwiththem.PabloandonenamedCuatroDedos,FourFingers,acobbler,whowasmuchwithPablothen,andtwootherswerestandingwithshotgunsandPablosaidtothepriest,‘Whogoesnow?’andthepriestwentonprayinganddidnotanswerhim.

“‘Listen,you,’Pablosaidtothepriestinhishoarsevoice,‘whogoesnow?Whoisreadynow?’

“ThepriestwouldnotspeaktoPabloandactedasthoughhewerenotthereandIcouldseePablowasbecomingveryangry.

“‘Letusallgotogether,’DonRicardoMontalvo,whowasalandowner,saidtoPablo,raisinghisheadandstoppingprayingtospeak.

“‘Quéva’,saidPablo.‘Oneatatimeasyouareready.’

“‘ThenIgonow,’DonRicardosaid.‘I’llneverbeanymoreready.’Thepriestblessedhimashespokeandblessedhimagainashestoodup,withoutinterruptinghispraying,andheldupacrucifixforDonRicardotokissandDonRicardokisseditandthenturnedandsaidtoPablo,‘Noreveragainasready.YouCabronofthebadmilk.Letusgo.’

“DonRicardowasashortmanwithgrayhairandathickneckandhehadashirtonwithnocollar.Hewasbow-leggedfrommuchhorsebackriding.‘Good-by,’hesaidtoallthosewhowerekneeling.‘Don’tbesad.Todieisnothing.Theonlybadthingistodieatthehandsofthiscanalla.Don’ttouchme,’hesaidtoPablo.‘Don’ttouchmewithyourshotgun.’

“HewalkedoutofthefrontoftheAyuntamientowithhisgrayhairandhissmallgrayeyesandhisthicknecklookingveryshortandangry.Helookedatthedoublelineofpeasantsandhespatontheground.Hecouldspitactualsalivawhich,insuchacircumstance,asyoushouldknow,Inglé,isveryrareandhesaid,‘ArribaEspa?a!DownwiththemiscalledRepublicandIobscenityinthemilkofyourfathers.’

“Sotheyclubbedhimtodeathveryquicklybecauseoftheinsult,beatinghimassoonashereachedthefirstofthemen,beatinghimashetriedtowalkwithhisheadup,beatinghimuntilhefellandchoppingathimwithreapinghooksandthesickles,andmanymenborehimtotheedgeoftheclifftothrowhimoverandtherewasbloodnowontheirhandsandontheirclothing,andnowbegantobethefeelingthatthesewhocameoutweretrulyenemiesandshouldbekilled.

“UntilDonRicardocameoutwiththatfiercenessandcallingthoseinsults,manyinthelinewouldhavegivenmuch,Iamsure,nevertohavebeenintheline.Andifanyonehadshoutedfromtheline,‘Come,letuspardontherestofthem.Nowtheyhavehadtheirlesson,’Iamsuremostwouldhaveagreed.

“ButDonRicardowithallhisbraverydidagreatdisservicetotheothers.Forhearousedthemeninthelineandwhere,before,theywereperformingadutyandwithnogreattasteforit,nowtheywereangry,andthedifferencewasapparent.

“‘Letthepriestoutandthethingwillgofaster,’someoneshouted.

“‘Letoutthepriest.’

“‘We’vehadthreethieves,letushavethepriest.’

“‘Twothieves,’ashortpeasantsaidtothemanwhohadshouted.‘ItwastwothieveswithOurLord.’

“‘WhoseLord?’themansaid,hisfaceangryandred.

“‘InthemannerofspeakingitissaidOurLord.’

“‘Heisn’tmyLord;notinjoke,’saidtheother.‘Andtheehadstbestwatchthymouthifthoudostnotwanttowalkbetweenthelines.’

“‘IamasgoodaLibertarianRepublicanasthou,’theshortpeasantsaid.‘IstruckDonRicardoacrossthemouth.IstruckDonFedericoacrosstheback.ImissedDonBenito.ButIsayOurLordistheformalwayofspeakingofthemaninquestionandthatitwastwothieves.’

“‘IobscenityinthemilkofthyRepublicanism.YouspeakofDonthisandDonthat.’

“‘Herearetheysocalled.’

“‘Notbyme,thecabrones.AndthyLord——Hi!Herecomesanewone!’

“Itwasthenthatwesawadisgracefulsight,forthemanwhowalkedoutofthedoorwayoftheAyuntamientowasDonFaustinoRivero,theoldestsonofhisfather,DonCelestinoRivero,alandowner.Hewastallandhishairwasyellowanditwasfreshlycombedbackfromhisforeheadforhealwayscarriedacombinhispocketandhehadcombedhishairnowbeforecomingout.Hewasagreatannoyerofgirls,andhewasacoward,andhehadalwayswishedtobeanamateurbullfighter.HewentmuchwithgipsiesandwithbullfightersandwithbullraisersanddelightedtoweartheAndaluciancostume,buthehadnocourageandwasconsideredajoke.Onetimehewasannouncedtoappearinanamateurbenefitfightfortheoldpeople’shomeinAvilaandtokillabullfromonhorsebackintheAndalucianstyle,whichhehadspentmuchtimepractising,andwhenhehadseenthesizeofthebullthathadbeensubstitutedforhiminplaceofthelittleone,weakinthelegs,hehadpickedouthimself,hehadsaidhewassickand,somesaid,putthreefingersdownhisthroattomakehimselfvomit.

“Whenthelinessawhim,theycommencedtoshout,‘Hola,DonFaustino.Takecarenottovomit.’

“‘Listentome,DonFaustino.Therearebeautifulgirlsoverthecliff.’

“‘DonFaustino.Waitaminuteandwewillbringoutabullbiggerthantheother.’

“Andanothershouted,‘Listentome,DonFaustino.Hastthoueverheardspeakofdeath?’

“DonFaustinostoodthere,stillactingbrave.Hewasstillundertheimpulsethathadmadehimannouncetotheothersthathewasgoingout.Itwasthesameimpulsethathadmadehimannouncehimselfforthebullfight.Thathadmadehimbelieveandhopethathecouldbeanamateurmatador.NowhewasinspiredbytheexampleofDonRicardoandhestoodtherelookingbothhandsomeandbraveandhemadehisfacescornful.Buthecouldnotspeak.

“‘Come,DonFaustino,’someonecalledfromtheline.‘Come,DonFaustino.Hereisthebiggestbullofall.’

“DonFaustinostoodlookingoutandIthinkashelooked,thattherewasnopityforhimoneithersideoftheline.Stillhelookedbothhandsomeandsuperb;buttimewasshorteningandtherewasonlyonedirectiontogo.

“‘DonFaustino,’someonecalled.‘Whatareyouwaitingfor,DonFaustino?’

“‘Heispreparingtovomit,’someonesaidandthelineslaughed.

“‘DonFaustino,’apeasantcalled.‘Vomitifitwillgivetheepleasure.Tomeitisallthesame.’

“Then,aswewatched,DonFaustinolookedalongthelinesandacrossthesquaretothecliffandthenwhenhesawthecliffandtheemptinessbeyond,heturnedquicklyandduckedbacktowardtheentranceoftheAyuntamiento.

“Allthelinesroaredandsomeoneshoutedinahighvoice,‘Wheredoyougo,DonFaustino?Wheredoyougo?’

“‘Hegoestothrowup,’shoutedanotherandtheyalllaughedagain.

“ThenwesawDonFaustinocomingoutagainwithPablobehindhimwiththeshotgun.Allofhisstylewasgonenow.ThesightofthelineshadtakenawayhistypeandhisstyleandhecameoutnowwithPablobehindhimasthoughPablowerecleaningaStreetandDonFaustinowaswhathewaspushingaheadofhim.DonFaustinocameoutnowandhewascrossinghimselfandprayingandthenheputhishandsinfrontofhiseyesandwalkeddownthestepstowardthelines.

“‘Leavehimalone,’someoneshouted.‘Don’ttouchhim.’

“ThelinesunderstoodandnoonemadeamovetotouchDonFaustinoand,withhishandsshakingandheldinfrontofhiseyes,andwithhismouthmoving,hewalkedalongbetweenthelines.

“Noonesaidanythingandnoonetouchedhimand,whenhewashalfwaythroughthelines,hecouldgonofartherandfelltohisknees.

“Noonestruckhim.Iwaswalkingalongparalleltothelinetoseewhathappenedtohimandapeasantleaneddownandliftedhimtohisfeetandsaid,‘Getup,DonFaustino,andkeepwalking.Thebullhasnotyetcomeout.’

“DonFaustinocouldnotwalkaloneandthepeasantinablacksmockhelpedhimononesideandanotherpeasantinablacksmockandherdsman’sbootshelpedhimontheother,supportinghimbythearmsandDonFaustinowalkingalongbetweenthelineswithhishandsoverhiseyes,hislipsneverquiet,andhisyellowhairslickedonhisheadandshininginthesun,andashepassedthepeasantswouldsay,‘DonFaustino,buenprovecho.DonFaustino,thatyoushouldhaveagoodappetite,’andotherssaid,‘DonFaustino,asusordenes.DonFaustinoatyourorders,’andone,whohadfailedatbullfightinghimself,said,‘DonFaustino.Matador,asusordenes,’andanothersaid,‘DonFaustino,therearebeautifulgirlsinheaven,DonFaustino.’AndtheywalkedDonFaustinothroughthelines,holdinghimcloseoneitherside,holdinghimupashewalked,withhimwithhishandsoverhiseyes.Buthemusthavelookedthroughhisfingers,becausewhentheycametotheedgeofthecliffwithhim,hekneltagain,throwinghimselfdownandclutchingthegroundandholdingtothegrass,saying,‘No.No.No.Please.NO.Please.Please.No.No.’

“Thenthepeasantswhowerewithhimandtheothers,thehardonesoftheendoftheline,squattedquicklybehindhimasheknelt,andgavehimarushingpushandhewasovertheedgewithouteverhavingbeenbeatenandyouheardhimcryingloudandhighashefell.

“ItwasthenIknewthatthelineshadbecomecruelanditwasfirsttheinsultsofDonRicardoandsecondthecowardiceofDonFaustinothathadmadethemso.

“‘Letushaveanother,’apeasantcalledoutandanotherpeasantslappedhimonthebackandsaid,‘DonFaustino!Whatathing!DonFaustino!’

“‘He’sseenthebigbullnow,’anothersaid.‘Throwingupwillneverhelphim,now.’

“‘Inmylife,’anotherpeasantsaid,‘inmylifeI’veneverseenathinglikeDonFaustino.’

“‘Thereareothers,’anotherpeasantsaid.‘Havepatience.Whoknowswhatwemayyetsee?’

“‘Theremaybegiantsanddwarfs,’thefirstpeasantsaid.‘TheremaybeNegroesandrarebeastsfromAfrica.Butformenever,neverwilltherebeanythinglikeDonFaustino.Butlet’shaveanotherone!Comeon.Let’shaveanotherone!’

“Thedrunkardswerehandingaroundbottlesofanisandcognacthattheyhadlootedfromthebaroftheclubofthefascists,drinkingthemdownlikewine,andmanyofthemeninthelineswerebeginningtobealittledrunk,too,fromdrinkingafterthestrongemotionofDonBenito,DonFederico,DonRicardoandespeciallyDonFaustino.ThosewhodidnotdrinkfromthebottlesofliquorweredrinkingfromleatherwineskinsthatwerepassedaboutandonehandedawineskintomeandItookalongdrink,lettingthewineruncooldownmythroatfromtheleatherbotaforIwasverythirsty,too.

“‘Tokillgivesmuchthirst,’themanwiththewineskinsaidtome.

“‘Quóva,’Isaid.‘Hastthoukilled?’

“‘Wehavekilledfour,’hesaid,proudly.‘Notcountingtheciviles.Isittruethattheekilledoneoftheciviles,Pilar?’

“‘Notone,’Isaid.‘Ishotintothesmokewhenthewallfell,asdidtheothers.Thatisall.’

“‘Wheregottheethepistol,Pilar?’

“‘FromPablo.Pablogaveittomeafterhekilledtheciviles.’

“‘Killedhethemwiththispistol?’

“‘Withnoother,’Isaid.‘Andthenhearmedmewithit.’

“‘CanIseeit,Pilar?CanIholdit?’

“‘Whynot,man?’Isaid,andItookitoutfromundertheropeandhandedittohim.ButIwaswonderingwhynooneelsehadcomeoutandjustthenwhoshouldcomeoutbutDonGuillermoMartinfromwhosestoretheflails,theherdsman’sclubs,andthewoodenpitchforkshadbeentaken.DonGuillermowasafascistbutotherwisethereWasnothingagainsthim.

“ItistruehepaidlittletothosewhomadetheflailsbuthechargedlittleforthemtooandifonedidnotwishtobuyflailsfromDonGuillermo,itwaspossibletomakethemfornothingmorethanthecostofthewoodandtheleather.HehadarudewayofspeakingandhewasundoubtedlyafascistandamemberoftheirclubandhesatatnoonandateveninginthecanechairsoftheirclubtoreadElDebate,tohavehisshoesshined,andtodrinkvermouthandseltzerandeatroastedalmonds,driedshrimps,andanchovies.Butonedoesnotkillforthat,andIamsureifithadnotbeenfortheinsultsofDonRicardoMontalvoandthelamentablespectacleofDonFaustino,andthedrinkingconsequentontheemotionofthemandtheothers,someonewouldhaveshouted,‘ThatDonGuillermoshouldgoinpeace.Wehavehisflails.Lethimgo.’

“Becausethepeopleofthistownareaskindastheycanbecruelandtheyhaveanaturalsenseofjusticeandadesiretodothatwhichisright.ButcrueltyhadenteredintothelinesandalsodrunkennessorthebeginningofdrunkennessandthelineswerenotastheywerewhenDonBenitohadcomeout.Idonotknowhowitisinothercountries,andnoonecaresmoreforthepleasureofdrinkingthanIdo,butinSpaindrunkenness,whenproducedbyotherelementsthanwine,isathingofgreatuglinessandthepeopledothingsthattheywouldnothavedone.Isitnotsoinyourcountry,Inglé?”

“Itisso,”RobertJordansaid.“WhenIwassevenyearsoldandgoingwithmymothertoattendaweddinginthestateofOhioatwhichIwastobetheboyofapairofboyandgirlwhocarriedflowers—”

“Didyoudothat?”askedMaria.“Hownice!”

“InthistownaNegrowashangedtoalamppostandlaterburned.Itwasanarclight.Alightwhichloweredfromtheposttothepavement.Andhewashoisted,firstbythemechanismwhichwasusedtohoistthearclightbutthisbroke——”

“ANegro,”Mariasaid.“Howbarbarous!”

“Werethepeopledrunk?”askedPilar.“WeretheydrunkthustoburnaNegro?”

“Idonotknow,”RobertJordansaid.“BecauseIsawitonlylookingoutfromundertheblindsofawindowinthehousewhichstoodonthecornerwherethearclightwas.ThestreetwasfullofpeopleandwhentheyliftedtheNegroupforthesecondtime—”

“Ifyouhadonlysevenyearsandwereinahouse,youcouldnottelliftheyweredrunkornot,”Pilarsaid.

“AsIsaid,whentheyliftedtheNegroupforthesecondtime,mymotherpulledmeawayfromthewindow,soIsawnomore,”RobertJordansaid.“ButsinceIhavehadexperienceswhichdemonstratethatdrunkennessisthesameinmycountry.Itisuglyandbrutal.”

“Youweretooyoungatseven,”Mariasaid.“Youweretooyoungforsuchthings.IhaveneverseenaNegroexceptinacircus.UnlesstheMoorsareNegroes.”

“SomeareNegroesandsomearenot,”Pilarsaid.“IcantalktoyouoftheMoors.”

“NotasIcan,”Mariasaid.“Nay,notasIcan.”

“Don’tspeakofsuchthings,”Pilarsaid.“Itisunhealthy.Wherewerewe?”

“Speakingofthedrunkennessofthelines,”RobertJordansaid.“Goon.”

“Itisnotfairtosaydrunkenness,”Pilarsaid.“For,yet,theywerealongwayfromdrunkenness.Butalreadytherewasachangeinthem,andwhenDonGuillermocameout,standingstraight,near-sighted,gray-headed,ofmediumheight,withashirtwithacollarbuttonbutnocollar,standingthereandcrossinghimselfonceandlookingahead,butseeinglittlewithouthisglasses,butwalkingforwardwellandcalmly,hewasanappearancetoexcitepity.Butsomeoneshoutedfromtheline,‘Here,DonGuillermo.Uphere,DonGuillermo.Inthisdirection.Hereweallhaveyourproducts.’

“TheyhadhadsuchsuccessjokingatDonFaustinothattheycouldnotsee,now,thatDonGuillermowasadifferentthing,andifDonGuillermowastobekilled,heshouldbekilledquicklyandwithdignity.

“‘DonGuillermo,’anothershouted.‘Shouldwesendtothehouseforthyspectacles?’

“DonGuillermo’shousewasnohouse,sincehehadnotmuchmoneyandwasonlyafascisttobeasnobandtoconsolehimselfthathemustworkforlittle,runningawooden-implementshop.Hewasafascist,too,fromthereligiousnessofhiswifewhichheacceptedashisownduetohisloveforher.HelivedinanapartmentinthebuildingthreehousesdownthesquareandwhenDonGuillermostoodthere,lookingnear-sightedlyatthelines,thedoublelinesheknewhemustenter,awomanstartedtoscreamfromthebalconyoftheapartmentwherehelived.Shecouldseehimfromthebalconyandshewashiswife.

“‘Guillermo,’shecried.‘Guillermo.WaitandIwillbewiththee.’

“DonGuillermoturnedhisheadtowardwheretheshoutingcamefrom.Hecouldnotseeher.Hetriedtosaysomethingbuthecouldnot.Thenhewavedhishandinthedirectionthewomanhadcalledfromandstartedtowalkbetweenthelines.

“‘Guillermo!’shecried.‘Guillermo!Oh,Guillermo!’Shewasholdingherhandsontherailofthebalconyandshakingbackandforth.‘Guillermo!’

“DonGuillermowavedhishandagaintowardthenoiseandwalkedintothelineswithhisheadupandyouwouldnothaveknownwhathewasfeelingexceptforthecolorofhisface.

“Thensomedrunkardyelled,‘Guillermo!’fromthelines,imitatingthehighcrackedvoiceofhiswifeandDonGuillermorushedtowardtheman,blindly,withtearsnowrunningdownhischeeksandthemanhithimhardacrossthefacewithhisflailandDonGuillermosatdownfromtheforceoftheblowandsattherecrying,butnotfromfear,whilethedrunkardsbeathimandonedrunkardjumpedontopofhim,astridehisshoulders,andbeathimwithabottle.AfterthismanyofthemenleftthelinesandtheirplacesweretakenbythedrunkardswhohadbeenjeeringandsayingthingsinbadtastethroughthewindowsoftheAyuntamiento.

“ImyselfhadfeltmuchemotionattheshootingoftheguardiacivilbyPablo,”Pilarsaid.“Itwasathingofgreatugliness,butIhadthoughtifthisishowitmustbe,thisishowitmustbe,andatleasttherewasnocruelty,onlythedeprivingoflifewhich,asweallhavelearnedintheseyears,isathingofuglinessbutalsoanecessitytodoifwearetowin,andtopreservetheRepublic.

“Whenthesquarehadbeenclosedoffandthelinesformed,IhadadmiredandunderstooditasaconceptionofPablo,althoughitseemedtometobesomewhatfantasticandthatitwouldbenecessaryforallthatwastobedonetobedoneingoodtasteifitwerenottoberepugnant.Certainlyifthefascistsweretobeexecutedbythepeople,itwasbetterforallthepeopletohaveapartinit,andIwishedtosharetheguiltasmuchasany,justasIhopedtoshareinthebenefitswhenthetownshouldbeours.ButafterDonGuillermoIfeltafeelingofshameanddistaste,andwiththecomingofthedrunkardsandtheworthlessonesintothelines,andtheabstentionofthosewholeftthelinesasaprotestafterDonGuillermo,IwishedthatImightdisassociatemyselfaltogetherfromthelines,andIwalkedaway,acrossthesquare,andsatdownonabenchunderoneofthebigtreesthatgaveshadethere.

“Twopeasantsfromthelineswalkedover,talkingtogether,andoneofthemcalledtome,‘Whatpasseswiththee,Pilar?’

“‘Nothing,man,’Itoldhim.

“‘Yes,’hesaid.‘Speak.Whatpasses.’

“‘IthinkthatIhaveabelly-full,’Itoldhim.

“‘Us,too,’hesaidandtheybothsatdownonthebench.Oneofthemhadaleatherwineskinandhehandedittome.

“‘Rinseoutthymouth,’hesaidandtheothersaid,goingonwiththetalkingtheyhadbeenengagedin,‘Theworstisthatitwillbringbadluck.NobodycantellmethatsuchthingsasthekillingofDonGuillermointhatfashionwillnotbringbadluck.’

“Thentheothersaid,‘Ifitisnecessarytokillthemall,andIamnotconvincedofthatnecessity,letthembekilleddecentlyandwithoutmockery.’

“‘MockeryisjustifiedinthecaseofDonFaustino,’theothersaid.‘Sincehewasalwaysafarcerandwasneveraseriousman.ButtomocksuchaseriousmanasDonGuillermoisbeyondallright.’

“‘Ihaveabelly-full,’Itoldhim,anditwasliterallytruebecauseIfeltanactualsicknessinallofmeinsideandasweatingandanauseaasthoughIhadswallowedbadseafood.

“‘Then,nothing,’theonepeasantsaid.‘Wewilltakenofurtherpartinit.ButIwonderwhathappensintheothertowns.’

“‘Theyhavenotrepairedthetelephonewiresyet,’Isaid.‘Itisalackthatshouldberemedied.’

“‘Clearly,’hesaid.‘Whoknowsbutwhatwemightbebetteremployedputtingthetownintoastateofdefensethanmassacringpeoplewiththisslownessandbrutality.’

“‘IwillgotospeakwithPablo,ItoldthemandIstoodupfromthebenchandstartedtowardthearcadethatledtothedooroftheAyuntamientofromwherethelinesspreadacrossthesquare.Thelinesnowwereneitherstraightnororderlyandtherewasmuchandverygravedrunkenness.Twomenhadfallendownandlayontheirbacksinthemiddleofthesquareandwerepassingabottlebackandforthbetweenthem.Onewouldtakeadrinkandthenshout,‘VivalaAnarquia!’lyingonhisbackandshoutingasthoughhewereamadman.Hehadared-and-blackhandkerchiefaroundhisneck.Theothershouted,‘VivalaLibertad!’andkickedhisfeetintheairandthenbellowed,‘VivaIaLibertad!’again.Hehadared-andblackhandkerchieftooandhewaveditinonehandandwavedthebottlewiththeother.

“Apeasantwhohadleftthelinesandnowstoodintheshadeofthearcadelookedatthemindisgustandsaid,‘Theyshouldshout,“Longlivedrunkenness.”That’salltheybelievein.’

“‘Theydon’tbelieveeveninthat,’anotherpeasantsaid.‘Thoseneitherunderstandnorbelieveinanything.’

“Justthen,oneofthedrunkardsgottohisfeetandraisedbotharmswithhisfistsclenchedoverhisheadandshouted,‘LongliveAnarchyandLibertyandIobscenityinthemilkoftheRepublic!’

“Theotherdrunkardwhowasstilllyingonhisback,tookholdoftheankleofthedrunkardwhowasshoutingandrolledoversothattheshoutingdrunkardfellwithhim,andtheyrolledovertogetherandthensatupandtheonewhohadpulledtheotherdownputhisarmaroundtheshouter’sneckandthenhandedtheshouterabottleandkissedthered-and-blackhandkerchiefheworeandtheybothdranktogether.

“Justthen,ayellingwentupfromthelinesand,lookingupthearcade,Icouldnotseewhoitwasthatwascomingoutbecausetheman’sheaddidnotshowabovetheheadsofthosecrowdedaboutthedooroftheAyuntamiento.AllIcouldseewasthatsomeonewasbeingpushedoutbyPabloandCuatroDedoswiththeirshotgunsbutIcouldnotseewhoitwasandImovedonclosetowardthelineswheretheywerepackedagainstthedoortotrytosee.

“Therewasmuchpushingnowandthechairsandthetablesofthefascists’caféhadbeenoverturnedexceptforonetableonwhichadrunkardwaslyingwithhisheadhangingdownandhismouthopenandIpickedupachairandsetitagainstoneofthepillarsandmountedonitsothatIcouldseeovertheheadsofthecrowd.

“ThemanwhowasbeingpushedoutbyPabloandCuatroDedoswasDonAnastasioRivas,whowasanundoubtedfascistandthefattestmaninthetown.Hewasagrainbuyerandtheagentforseveralinsurancecompaniesandhealsoloanedmoneyathighratesofinterest.Standingonthechair,Isawhimwalkdownthestepsandtowardthelines,hisfatneckbulgingoverthebackofthecollarbandofhisshirt,andhisbaldheadshininginthesun,butheneverenteredthembecausetherewasashout,notasofdifferentmenshouting,butofallofthem.ItwasanuglynoiseandwasthecryofthedrunkenlinesallyellingtogetherandthelinesbrokewiththerushofmentowardhimandIsawDonAnastasiothrowhimselfdownwithhishandsoverhisheadandthenyoucouldnotseehimforthemenpiledontopofhim.Andwhenthemengotupfromhim,DonAnastasiowasdeadfromhisheadbeingbeatenagainstthestoneflagsofthepavingofthearcadeandtherewerenomorelinesbutonlyamob.

“‘We’regoingin,’theycommencedtoshout.‘We’regoinginafterthem.’

“‘He’stooheavytocarry,’amankickedatthebodyofDonAnastasio,whowaslyingthereonhisface.‘Lethimstaythere.’

“‘Whyshouldwelugthattuboftripetothecliff?Lethimliethere.’

“‘Wearegoingtoenterandfinishwiththeminside,’amanshouted.‘We’regoingin.’

“‘Whywaitalldayinthesun?’anotheryelled.‘Comeon.Letusgo.’

“Themobwasnowpressingintothearcade.Theywereshoutingandpushingandtheymadeanoisenowlikeananimalandtheywereallshouting‘Openup!Openup!’fortheguardshadshutthedoorsoftheAyuntamientowhenthelinesbroke.

“Standingonthechair,IcouldseeinthroughthebarredwindowintothehailoftheAyuntamientoandinthereitwasasithadbeenbefore.Thepriestwasstanding,andthosewhowereleftwerekneelinginahalfcirclearoundhimandtheywereallpraying.PablowassittingonthebigtableinfrontoftheMayor’schairwithhisshotgunslungoverhisback.Hislegswerehangingdownfromthetableandhewasrollingacigarette.CuatroDedoswassittingintheMayor’schairwithhisfeetonthetableandhewassmokingacigarette.Alltheguardsweresittingindifferentchairsoftheadministration,holdingtheirguns.ThekeytothebigdoorwasonthetablebesidePablo.

“Themobwasshouting,‘Openup!Openup!Openup!’asthoughitwereachantandPablowassittingthereasthoughhedidnothearthem.HesaidsomethingtothepriestbutIcouldnothearwhathesaidforthenoiseofthemob.

“Thepriest,asbefore,didnotanswerhimbutkeptonpraying.Withmanypeoplepushingme,Imovedthechaircloseagainstthewall,shovingitaheadofmeastheyshovedmefrombehind.Istoodonthechairwithmyfacecloseagainstthebarsofthewindowandheldonbythebars.Amanclimbedonthechairtooandstoodwithhisarmsaroundmine,holdingthewiderbars.

“‘Thechairwillbreak,’Isaidtohim.

“‘Whatdoesitmatter?’hesaid.‘Lookatthem.Lookatthempray.’

“Hisbreathonmynecksmelledlikethesmellofthemob,sour,likevomitonpavingstonesandthesmellofdrunkenness,andthenheputhismouthagainsttheopeninginthebarswithhisheadovermyshoulder,andshouted,‘Openup!Open!’anditwasasthoughthemobwereonmybackasadevilisonyourbackinadream.

“Nowthemobwaspressedtightagainstthedoorsothatthoseinfrontwerebeingcrushedbyalltheotherswhowerepressingandfromthesquareabigdrunkardinablacksmockwithared-and-blackhandkerchiefaroundhisneck,ranandthrewhimselfagainstthepressofthemobandfellforwardontothepressingmenandthenstoodupandbackedawayandthenranforwardagainandthrewhimselfagainstthebacksofthosemenwhowerepushing,shouting,‘LonglivemeandlongliveAnarchy.’

“AsIwatched,thismanturnedawayfromthecrowdandwentandsatdownanddrankfromabottleandthen,whilehewassittingdown,hesawDonAnastasio,whowasstilllyingfacedownonthestones,butmuchtramplednow,andthedrunkardgotupandwentovertoDonAnastasioandleanedoverandpouredoutofthebottleontotheheadofDonAnastasioandontohisclothes,andthenhetookamatchboxoutofhispocketandlitseveralmatches,tryingtomakeafirewithDonAnastasio.ButthewindwasblowinghardnowanditblewthematchesoutandafteralittlethebigdrunkardsattherebyDonAnastasio,shakinghisheadanddrinkingoutofthebottleandeveryonceinawhile,leaningoverandpattingDonAnastasioontheshouldersofhisdeadbody.

“AllthistimethemobwasshoutingtoopenupandthemanonthechairwithmewasholdingtighttothebarsofthewindowandshoutingtoopenupuntilitdeafenedmewithhisvoiceroaringpastmyearandhisbreathfoulonmeandIlookedawayfromwatchingthedrunkardwhohadbeentryingtosetfiretoDonAnastasioandintothehalloftheAyuntamientoagain;anditwasjustasithadbeen.Theywerestillprayingastheyhadbeen,themenallkneeling,withtheirshirtsopen,somewiththeirheadsdown,otherswiththeirheadsup,lookingtowardthepriestandtowardthecrucifixthatheheld,andthepriestprayingfastandhardandlookingOutovertheirheads,andinbackofthemPablo,withhiscigarettenowlighted,wassittingthereonthetableswinginghislegs,hisshotgunslungoverhisback,andhewasplayingwiththekey.

“IsawPablospeaktothepriestagain,leaningforwardfromthetableandIcouldnothearwhathesaidfortheshouting.Butthepriestdidnotanswerhimbutwentonpraying.ThenamanstoodupfromamongthehalfcircleofthosewhowereprayingandIsawhewantedtogoout.ItwasDonJoséCastro,whomeveryonecalledDonPepe,aconfirmedfascist,andadealerinhorses,andhestoodupnowsmall,neatlookingevenunshavenandwearingapajamatoptuckedintoapairofgray-stripedtrousers.HekissedthecrucifixandthepriestblessedhimandhestoodupandlookedatPabloandjerkedhisheadtowardthedoor.

“Pabloshookhisheadandwentonsmoking.IcouldseeDonPepesaysomethingtoPablobutcouldnothearit.Pablodidnotanswer;hesimplyshookhisheadagainandnoddedtowardthedoor.

“ThenIsawDonPepelookfullatthedoorandrealizedthathehadnotknownitwaslocked.PabloshowedhimthekeyandheStoodlookingatitaninstantandthenheturnedandwentandkneltdownagain.IsawthepriestlookaroundatPabloandPablogrinnedathimandshowedhimthekeyandthepriestseemedtorealizeforthefirsttimethatthedoorwaslockedandheseemedasthoughhestartedtoshakehishead,butheonlyinclineditandwentbacktopraying.

“Idonotknowhowtheycouldnothaveunderstoodthedoorwaslockedunlessitwasthattheyweresoconcentratedontheirprayingandtheirownthoughts;butnowtheycertainlyunderstoodandtheyunderstoodtheshoutingandtheymusthaveknownnowthatallwaschanged.Buttheyremainedthesameasbefore.

“Bynowtheshoutingwassothatyoucouldhearnothingandthedrunkardwhostoodonthechairwithmeshookwithhishandsatthebarsandyelled,‘Openup!Openup!’untilhewashoarse.

“IwatchedPablospeaktothepriestagainandthepriestdidnotanswer.ThenIsawPablounslinghisshotgunandhereachedoverandtappedthepriestontheshoulderwithit.ThepriestpaidnoattentiontohimandIsawPabloshakehishead.ThenhespokeoverhisshouldertoCuatroDedosandCuatroDedosspoketotheotherguardsandtheyallstoodupandwalkedbacktothefarendoftheroomandstoodtherewiththeirshotguns.

“IsawPablosaysomethingtoCuatroDedosandhemovedovertwotablesandsomebenchesandtheguardsstoodbehindthemwiththeirshotguns.Itmadeabarricadeinthatcorneroftheroom.PabloleanedoverandtappedthepriestontheshoulderagainwiththeshotgunandthepriestdidnotpayattentiontohimbutIsawDonPepewatchinghimwhiletheotherspaidnoattentionbutwentonpraying.Pabloshookhisheadand,seeingDonPepelookingathim,heshookhisheadatDonPepeandshowedhimthekey,holdingitupinhishand.DonPepeunderstoodandhedroppedhisheadandcommencedtoprayveryfast.

“PabloswunghislegsdownfromthetableandwalkedaroundittothebigchairoftheMayorontheraisedplatformbehindthelongcounciltable.Hesatdowninitandrolledhimselfacigarette,allthetimewatchingthefascistswhowereprayingwiththepriest.Youcouldnotseeanyexpressiononhisfaceatall.Thekeywasonthetableinfrontofhim.Itwasabigkeyofiron,overafootlong.ThenPablocalledtotheguardssomethingIcouldnothearandoneguardwentdowntothedoor.IcouldseethemallprayingfasterthaneverandIknewthattheyallknewnow.

“Pablosaidsomethingtothepriestbutthepriestdidnotanswer.ThenPabloleanedforward,pickedupthekeyandtosseditunderhandtotheguardatthedoor.TheguardcaughtitandPablosmiledathim.Thentheguardputthekeyinthedoor,turnedit,andpulledthedoortowardhim,duckingbehinditasthemobrushedin.

“Isawthemcomeinandjustthenthedrunkardonthechairwithmecommencedtoshout‘Ayee!Ayee!Ayee!’andpushedhisheadforwardsoIcouldnotseeandthenheshouted‘Killthem!Killthem!Clubthem!Killthem!’andhepushedmeasidewithhistwoarmsandIcouldseenothing.

“IhitmyelbowintohisbellyandIsaid,‘Drunkard,whosechairisthis?Letmesee.’

“Buthejustkeptshakinghishandsandarmsagainstthebarsandshouting,‘Killthem!Clubthem!Clubthem!that’sit.Clubthem!Killthem!Cabrones!Cabrones!Cabrones!’

“Ihithimhardwithmyelbowandsaid,‘Cabron!Drunkard!Letmesee.’

“Thenheputbothhishandsonmyheadtopushmedownandsohemightseebetterandleanedallhisweightonmyheadandwentonshouting,‘Clubthem!that’sit.Clubthem!’

“‘Clubyourself,’IsaidandIhithimhardwhereitwouldhurthimandithurthimandhedroppedhishandsfrommyheadandgrabbedhimselfandsaid.‘Nohayderecho,mujer.This,woman,youhavenorighttodo.’Andinthatmoment,lookingthroughthebars,Isawthehailfullofmenflailingawaywithclubsandstrikingwithflails,andpokingandstrikingandpushingandheavingagainstpeoplewiththewhitewoodenpitchforksthatnowwereredandwiththeirtinesbroken,andthiswasgoingonallovertheroomwhilePablosatinthebigchairwithhisshotgunonhisknees,watching,andtheywereshoutingandclubbingandstabbingandmenwerescreamingashorsesscreaminafire.AndIsawthepriestwithhisskirtstuckedupscramblingoverabenchandthoseafterhimwerechoppingathimwiththesicklesandthereapinghooksandthensomeonehadholdofhisrobeandtherewasanotherscreamandanotherscreamandIsawtwomenchoppingintohisbackwithsickleswhileathirdmanheldtheskirtofhisrobeandthePriest’sarmswereupandhewasclingingtothebackofachairandthenthechairIwasstandingonbrokeandthedrunkardandIwereonthepavementthatsmelledofspilledwineandvomitandthedrunkardwasshakinghisfingeratmeandsaying,‘Nohayderecho,mujer,nohayderecho.Youcouldhavedonemeaninjury,’andthepeopleweretramplingoverustogetintothehalloftheAyuntamientoandallIcouldseewaslegsofpeoplegoinginthedoorwayandthedrunkardsittingtherefacingmeandholdinghimselfwhereIhadhithim.

“ThatwastheendofthekillingofthefascistsinourtownandIwasgladIdidnotseemoreofitand,butforthatdrunkard,Iwouldhaveseenitall.SoheservedsomegoodbecauseintheAyuntamientoitwasathingoneissorrytohaveseen.

“Buttheotherdrunkardwassomethingrarerstill.Aswegotupafterthebreakingofthechair,andthepeoplewerestillcrowdingintotheAyuntamiento,Isawthisdrunkardofthesquarewithhisred-and-blackscarf,againpouringsomethingoverDonAnastasio.Hewasshakinghisheadfromsidetosideanditwasveryhardforhimtositup,buthewaspouringandlightingmatchesandthenpouringandlightingmatchesandIwalkedovertohimandsaid,‘Whatareyoudoing,shameless?’

“‘Nada,mujer,nada,’hesaid.‘Letmealone.’

“AndperhapsbecauseIwasstandingtheresothatmylegsmadeashelterfromthewind,thematchcaughtandablueflamebegantorunuptheshoulderofthecoatofDonAnastasioandontothebackofhisneckandthedrunkardputhisheadupandshoutedinahugevoice,‘They’reburningthedead!They’reburningthedead!’

“‘Who?’somebodysaid.

“‘Where?’shoutedsomeoneelse.

“‘Here,’bellowedthedrunkard.‘Exactlyhere!’

“Thensomeonehitthedrunkardagreatblowalongsidetheheadwithaflailandhefellback,andlyingontheground,helookedupatthemanwhohadhithimandthenshuthiseyesandcrossedhishandsonhischest,andlaytherebesideDonAnastasioasthoughhewereasleep.ThemandidnothithimagainandhelaythereandhewasstilltherewhentheypickedupDonAnastasioandputhimwiththeothersinthecartthathauledthemallovertothecliffwheretheywerethrownoverthateveningwiththeothersaftertherehadbeenacleaningupintheAyuntamiento.Itwouldhavebeenbetterforthetowniftheyhadthrownovertwentyorthirtyofthedrunkards,especiallythoseofthered-and-blackscarves,andifweeverhaveanotherrevolutionIbelievetheyshouldbedestroyedatthestart.Butthenwedidnotknowthis.Butinthenextdaysweweretolearn.

“Butthatnightwedidnotknowwhatwastocome.AftertheslayingintheAyuntamientotherewasnomorekillingbutwecouldnothaveameetingthatnightbecausethereweretoomanydrunkards.Itwasimpossibletoobtainorderandsothemeetingwaspostponeduntilthenextday.

“ThatnightIsleptwithPablo.Ishouldnotsaythistoyou,guapa,butontheotherhand,itisgoodforyoutoknoweverythingandatleastwhatItellyouistrue.Listentothis,Inglé.Itisverycurious.

“AsIsay,thatnightweateanditwasverycurious.Itwasasafterastormorafloodorabattleandeveryonewastiredandnoonespokemuch.I,myself,felthollowandnotwellandIwasfullofshameandasenseofwrongdoingandIhadagreatfeelingofoppressionandofbadtocome,asthismorningaftertheplanes.Andcertainly,badcamewithinthreedays.

“Pablo,whenweate,spokelittle.

“‘Didyoulikeit,Pilar?’heaskedfinallywithhismouthfullofroastyounggoat.Wewereeatingattheinnfromwherethebusesleaveandtheroomwascrowdedandpeopleweresingingandtherewasdifficultyserving.

“‘No,’Isaid.‘ExceptforDonFaustino,Ididnotlikeit.’

“‘Ilikedit,’hesaid.

“‘Allofit?’Iaskedhim.

“‘Allofit,’hesaidandcuthimselfabigpieceofbreadwithhisknifeandcommencedtomopupgravywithit.‘Allofit,exceptthepriest.’

“‘Youdidn’tlikeitaboutthepriest?’becauseIknewhehatedpriestsevenworsethanhehatedfascists.

“‘Hewasadisillusionmenttome,’Pablosaidsadly.

“Somanypeopleweresingingthatwehadtoalmostshouttohearoneanother.

“‘Why?’

“‘Hediedverybadly,’Pablosaid.‘Hehadverylittledignity.’

“‘Howdidyouwanthimtohavedignitywhenhewasbeingchasedbythemob?’Isaid.‘Ithoughthehadmuchdignityallthetimebefore.Allthedignitythatonecouldhave.’

“‘Yes,’Pablosaid.‘Butinthelastminutehewasfrightened.’

“‘Whowouldn’tbe?’Isaid.‘Didyouseewhattheywerechasinghimwith?’

“‘WhywouldInotsee?’Pablosaid.‘ButIfindhediedbadly.’

“‘Insuchcircumstancesanyonediesbadly,’Itoldhim.‘Whatdoyouwantforyourmoney?EverythingthathappenedintheAyuntamientowasscabrous.’

“‘Yes,’saidPablo.‘Therewaslittleorganization.Butapriest.Hehasanexampletoset.’

“‘Ithoughtyouhatedpriests.’

“‘Yes,’saidPabloandcutsomemorebread.‘ButaSpanishpriest.ASpanishpriestshoulddieverywell.’

“‘Ithinkhediedwellenough,’Isaid.‘Beingdeprivedofallformality.’

“‘No,’Pablosaid.‘Tomehewasagreatdisillusionment.AlldayIhadwaitedforthedeathofthepriest.Ihadthoughthewouldbethelasttoenterthelines.Iawaiteditwithgreatanticipation.Iexpectedsomethingofaculmination.Ihadneverseenapriestdie.’

“‘Thereistime,’Isaidtohimsarcastically.‘Onlytodaydidthemovementstart.’

“‘No,’hesaid.‘Iamdisillusioned.’

“‘Now,’Isaid.‘Isupposeyouwillloseyourfaith.’

“‘Youdonotunderstand,Pilai’hesaid.‘Hewasa_Spanish_priest.’

“‘WhatpeopletheSpaniardsare,’Isaidtohim.Andwhatapeopletheyareforpride,eh,Inglé?Whatapeople.”

“Wemustgeton,”RobertJordansaid.Helookedatthesun.“It’snearlynoon.”

“Yes,”Pilarsaid.“Wewillgonow.ButletmetellyouaboutPablo.Thatnighthesaidtome,‘Pilar,tonightwewilldonothing.’

“‘Good,’Itoldhim.‘Thatpleasesme.’

“‘Ithinkitwouldbebadtasteafterthekillingofsomanypeople.’

“‘Quéva,’Itoldhim.‘Whatasaintyouare.YouthinkIlivedyearswithbullfightersnottoknowhowtheyareaftertheCorrida?’

“‘Isittrue,Pilar?’heaskedme.

“‘WhendidIlietoyou?’Itoldhim.

“‘Itistrue,Pilar,Iamafinishedmanthisnight.Youdonotreproachme?’

“‘No,hombre,’Isaidtohim.‘Butdon’tkillpeopleeveryday,Pablo.’

“AndhesleptthatnightlikeababyandIwokehiminthemorningatdaylightbutIcouldnotsleepthatnightandIgotupandsatinachairandlookedoutofthewindowandIcouldseethesquareinthemoonlightwherethelineshadbeenandacrossthesquarethetreesshininginthemoonlight,andthedarknessoftheirshadows,andthebenchesbrighttoointhemoonlight,andthescatteredbottlesshining,andbeyondtheedgeofthecliffwheretheyhadallbeenthrown.AndtherewasnosoundbutthesplashingofthewaterinthefountainandIsatthereandIthoughtwehavebegunbadly.

“ThewindowwasopenandupthesquarefromtheFondaIcouldhearawomancrying.IwentoutonthebalconystandingthereinmybarefeetontheironandthemoonshoneonthefacesofallthebuildingsofthesquareandthecryingwascomingfromthebalconyofthehouseofDonGuillermo.Itwashiswifeandshewasonthebalconykneelingandcrying.

“ThenIwentbackinsidetheroomandIsatthereandIdidnotwishtothinkforthatwastheworstdayofmylifeuntiloneotherday.”

“Whatwastheother?”Mariaasked.

“Threedayslaterwhenthefasciststookthetown.”

“Donottellmeaboutit,”saidMaria.“Idonotwanttohearit.Thisisenough.Thiswastoomuch.”

“Itoldyouthatyoushouldnothavelistened,”Pilarsaid.“See.Ididnotwantyoutohearit.Nowyouwillhavebaddreams.”

“No,”saidMaria.“ButIdonotwanttohearmore.”

“Iwishyouwouldtellmeofitsometime,”RobertJordansaid.

“Iwill,”Pilarsaid.“ButitisbadforMaria.”

“Idon’twanttohearit,”Mariasaidpitifully.“Please,Pilar.AnddonottellitifIamthere,forImightlisteninspiteofmyself.”

HerlipswereworkingandRobertJordanthoughtshewouldcry.

“Please,Pilar,donottellit.”

“Donotworry,littlecroppedhead,”Pilarsaid.“Donotworry.ButIwilltelltheInglésometime.”

“ButIwanttobetherewhenheisthere,”Mariasaid.“Oh,Pilar,donottellitatall.”

“Iwilltellitwhenthouartworking.”

“No.No.Please.Letusnottellitatall,”Mariasaid.

“ItisonlyfairtotellitsinceIhavetoldwhatwedid,”Pilarsaid.“Butyoushallneverhearit.”

“Aretherenopleasantthingstospeakof?”Mariasaid.“Dowehavetotalkalwaysofhorrors?”

“Thisafternoon,”Pilarsaid,“thouandInglé.Thetwoofyoucanspeakofwhatyouwish.”

“Thenthattheafternoonshouldcome,”Mariasaid.“Thatitshouldcomeflying.”

“Itwillcome,”Pilartoldher.“Itwillcomeflyingandgothesamewayandtomorrowwillfly,too.”

“Thisafternoon,”Mariasaid.“Thisafternoon.Thatthisafternoonshouldcome.”