CHAPTER 14

Bythetimetheyreachedthecampitwassnowingandtheflakesweredroppingdiagonallythroughthepines.Theyslantedthroughthetrees,sparseatfirstandcirclingastheyfell,andthen,asthecoldwindcamedrivingdownthemountain,theycamewhirlingandthickandRobertJordanstoodinfrontofthecaveinarageandwatchedthem.

“Wewillhavemuchsnow,”Pablosaid.Hisvoicewasthickandhiseyeswereredandbleary.

“Hasthegypsycomein?”RobertJordanaskedhim.

“No,”Pablosaid.“Neitherhimnortheoldman.”

“Willyoucomewithmetotheupperpostontheroad?”

“No,”Pablosaid.“Iwilltakenopartinthis.”

“Iwillfinditmyself.”

“Inthisstormyoumightmissit,”Pablosaid.“Iwouldnotgonow.”

“It’sjustdownhilltotheroadandthenfollowitup.”

“Youcouldfindit.Butthytwosentrieswillbecomingupnowwiththesnowandyouwouldmissthemontheway.”

“Theoldmaniswaitingforme.”

“Nay.Hewillcomeinnowwiththesnow.

Pablolookedatthesnowthatwasblowingfastnowpastthemouthofthecaveandsaid,“Youdonotlikethesnow,Inglé”

RobertJordansworeandPablolookedathimthroughhisblearyeyesandlaughed.

“Withthisthyoffensivegoes,Inglé,”hesaid.“Comeintothecaveandthypeoplewillbeindirectly.”

InsidethecaveMariawasbusyatthefireandPilaratthekitchentable.Thefirewassmokingbut,asthegirlworkedwithit,pokinginastickofwoodandthenfanningitwithafoldedpaper,therewasapuffandthenaflareandthewoodwasburning,drawingbrightlyasthewindsuckedadraftoutoftheholeintheroof.

“Andthissnow,”RobertJordansaid.“Youthinktherewillbemuch?”

“Much,”Pablosaidcontentedly.ThencalledtoPilar,“Youdon’tlikeit,woman,either?Nowthatyoucommandyoudonotlikethissnow?”

“Amiqué?”Pilarsaid,overhershoulder.“Ifitsnowsitsnows.”

“Drinksomewine,Inglé,”Pablosaid.“Ihavebeendrinkingalldaywaitingforthesnow.”

“Givemeacup,”RobertJordansaid.

“Tothesnow,”Pablosaidandtouchedcupswithhim.RobertJordanlookedhimintheeyesandclinkedhiscup.Youbleary-eyedmurderoussod,hethought.I’dliketoclinkthiscupagainstyourteeth.Takeiteasy,hetoldhimself,takeiteasy.

“Itisverybeautifulthesnow,”Pablosaid.“Youwon’twanttosleepoutsidewiththesnowfalling.”

Sothat’sonyourmindtooisit?RobertJordanthought.You’vealotoftroubles,haven’tyou,Pablo?

“No?”hesaid,politely.

“No.Verycold,”Pablosaid.“Verywet.”

Youdon’tknowwhythoseoldeiderdownscostsixty-fivedollars,RobertJordanthought.I’dliketohaveadollarforeverytimeI’vesleptinthatthinginthesnow.

“ThenIshouldsleepinhere?”heaskedpolitely.

“Yes.”

“Thanks,”RobertJordansaid.“I’llbesleepingoutside.”

“Inthesnow?”

“Yes”(damnyourbloody,redpig-eyesandyourswine-bristlyswines-endofaface).“Inthesnow.”(Intheutterlydamned,ruinous,unexpected,slutting,defeat-conniving,bastard-cesseryofthesnow.)

HewentovertowhereMariahadjustputanotherpieceofpineonthefire.

“Verybeautiful,thesnow,”hesaidtothegirl.

“Butitisbadforthework,isn’tit?”sheaskedhim.“Aren’tyouworried?”

“Quéva,”hesaid.“Worryingisnogood.Whenwillsupperbeready?”

“Ithoughtyouwouldhaveanappetite,”Pilarsaid.“Doyouwantacutofcheesenow?”

“Thanks,”hesaidandshecuthimaslice,reachinguptounhookthebigcheesethathunginanetfromtheceiling,drawingaknifeacrosstheopenendandhandinghimtheheavyslice.Hestood,eatingit.Itwasjustalittletoogoatytobeenjoyable.

“Maria,”Pablosaidfromthetablewherehewassitting.

“What?”thegirlasked.

“Wipethetableclean,Maria,”PablosaidandgrinnedatRobertJordan.

“Wipethineownspillings,”Pilarsaidtohim.“Wipefirstthychinandthyshirtandthenthetable.”

“Maria,”Pablocalled.

“Paynoheedtohim.Heisdrunk,”Pilarsaid.

“Maria,”Pablocalled.“Itisstillsnowingandthesnowisbeautiful.”

Hedoesn’tknowaboutthatrobe,RobertJordanthought.Goodoldpig-eyesdoesn’tknowwhyIpaidtheWoodsboyssixty-fivedollarsforthatrobe.Iwishthegypsywouldcomeinthough.AssoonasthegypsycomesI’llgoaftertheoldman.IshouldgonowbutitisverypossiblethatIwouldmissthem.Idon’tknowwhereheisposted.

“Wanttomakesnowballs?”hesaidtoPablo.“Wanttohaveasnowballfight?”

“What?”Pabloasked.“Whatdoyoupropose?”

“Nothing,”RobertJordansaid.“Gotyoursaddlescoveredupgood?”

“Yes.”

TheninEnglishRobertJordansaid,“Goingtograinthosehorsesorpegthemoutandletthemdigforit?”

“What?”

“Nothing.It’syourproblem,oldpal.I’mgoingoutofhereonmyfeet.”

“WhydoyouspeakinEnglish?”Pabloasked.

“Idon’tknow,”RobertJordansaid.“WhenIgetverytiredsometimesIspeakEnglish.OrwhenIgetverydisgusted.Orbaffled,say.WhenIgethighlybaffledIjusttalkEnglishtohearthesoundofit.It’sareassuringnoise.Yououghttotryitsometime.”

“Whatdoyousay,Inglé?”Pilarsaid.“ItsoundsveryinterestingbutIdonotunderstand.”

“Nothing,”RobertJordansaid.“Isaid,‘nothing’inEnglish.”

“Wellthen,talkSpanish,”Pilarsaid.“It’sshorterandsimplerinSpanish.”

“Surely,”RobertJordansaid.Butohboy,hethought,ohPablo,ohPilar,ohMaria,ohyoutwobrothersinthecornerwhosenamesI’veforgottenandmustremember,butIgettiredofitsometimes.Ofitandofyouandofmeandofthewarandwhyinallwhydidithavetosnownow?That’stoobloodymuch.No,it’snot.Nothingistoobloodymuch.Youjusthavetotakeitandfightoutofitandnowstopprima-donnaingandacceptthefactthatitissnowingasyoudidamomentagoandthenextthingistocheckwithyourgypsyandpickupyouroldman.Buttosnow!Nowinthismonth.Cutitout,hesaidtohimself.Cutitoutandtakeit.It’sthatcup,youknow.Howdiditgoaboutthatcup?He’deitherhavetoimprovehismemoryorelseneverthinkofquotationsbecausewhenyoumissedoneithunginyourmindlikeanameyouhadforgottenandyoucouldnotgetridofit.Howdiditgoaboutthatcup?

“Letmehaveacupofwine,please,”hesaidinSpanish.Then,“Lotsofsnow?Eh?”hesaidtoPablo.“Muchanieve.”

Thedrunkenmanlookedupathimandgrinned.Henoddedhisheadandgrinnedagain.

“Nooffensive.Noaviones.Nobridge.Justsnow,”Pablosaid.

“Youexpectittolastalongtime?”RobertJordansatdownbyhim.“Youthinkwe’regoingtobesnowedinallsummer,Pablo,oldboy?”

“Allsummer,no,”Pablosaid.“Tonightandtomorrow,yes.”

“Whatmakesyouthinkso?”

“Therearetwokindsofstorms,”Pablosaid,heavilyandjudiciously.“OnecomesfromthePyrenees.Withthisonethereisgreatcold.Itistoolateforthisone.”

“Good,”RobertJordansaid.“That’ssomething.”

“ThisstormcomesfromtheCantabrico,”Pablosaid.“Itcomesfromthesea.Withthewindinthisdirectiontherewillbeagreatstormandmuchsnow.”

“Wheredidyoulearnallthis,oldtimer?”RobertJordanasked.

Nowthathisragewasgonehewasexcitedbythisstormashewasalwaysbyallstorms.Inablizzard,agale,asuddenlinesquall,atropicalstorm,orasummerthundershowerinthemountainstherewasanexcitementthatcametohimfromnootherthing.Itwasliketheexcitementofbattleexceptthatitwasclean.Thereisawindthatblowsthroughbattlebutthatwasahotwind;hotanddryasyourmouth;anditblewheavily;hotanddirtily;anditroseanddiedawaywiththefortunesoftheday.Heknewthatwindwell.

Butasnowstormwastheoppositeofallofthat.Inthesnowstormyoucameclosetowildanimalsandtheywerenotafraid.Theytravelledacrosscountrynotknowingwheretheywereandthedeerstoodsometimesintheleeofthecabin.Inasnowstormyourodeuptoamooseandhemistookyourhorseforanothermooseandtrottedforwardtomeetyou.Inasnowstormitalwaysseemed,foratime,asthoughtherewerenoenemies.Inasnowstormthewindcouldblowagale;butitblewawhitecleannessandtheairwasfullofadrivingwhitenessandallthingswerechangedandwhenthewindstoppedtherewouldbethestillness.Thiswasabigstormandhemightaswellenjoyit.Itwasruiningeverything,butyoumightaswellenjoyit.

“Iwasanarroyeroformanyyears,”Pablosaid.“Wetruckedfreightacrossthemountainswiththebigcartsbeforethecamionscameintouse.Inthatbusinesswelearnedtheweather.”

“Andhowdidyougetintothemovement?”

“Iwasalwaysoftheleft,”Pablosaid.“WehadmanycontactswiththepeopleofAsturiaswheretheyaremuchdevelopedpolitically.IhavealwaysbeenfortheRepublic.”

“Butwhatwereyoudoingbeforethemovement?”

“IworkedthenforahorsecontractorofZaragoza.Hefurnishedhorsesforthebullringsaswellasremountsforthearmy.ItwasthenthatImetPilarwhowas,asshetoldyou,withthematadorFinitodePalencia.”

Hesaidthiswithconsiderablepride.

“Hewasn’tmuchofamatador,”oneofthebrothersatthetablesaidlookingatPilar’sbackwhereshestoodinfrontofthestove.

“No?”Pilarsaid,turningaroundandlookingattheman.“Hewasn’tmuchofamatador?”

Standingtherenowinthecavebythecookingfireshecouldseehim,shortandbrownandsober-faced,withthesadeyes,thecheekssunkenandtheblackhaircurledwetonhisforeheadwherethetightfittingmatador’shathadmadearedlinethatnooneelsenoticed.Shesawhimstand,now,facingthefive-year-oldbull,facingthehornsthathadliftedthehorseshigh,thegreatneckthrustingthehorseup,up,asthatriderpokedintothatneckwiththespikedpole,thrustingupandupuntilthehorsewentoverwithacrashandtheriderfellagainstthewoodenfenceand,withthebull’slegsthrustinghimforward,thebigneckswungthehornsthatsearchedthehorseforthelifethatwasinhim.Shesawhim,Finito,thenot-so-goodmatador,nowstandinginfrontofthebullandturningsidewaystowardhim.Shesawhimnowclearlyashefurledtheheavyflannelclotharoundthestick;theflannelhangingblood-heavyfromthepasseswhereithadsweptoverthebull’sheadandshouldersandthewetstreamingshineofhiswithersandondownandoverhisbackasthebullraisedintotheairandthebanderillasclattered.ShesawFinitostandfivepacesfromthebull’shead,profiled,thebullstandingstillandheavy,anddrawtheswordslowlyupuntilitwaslevelwithhisshoulderandthensightalongthedippingbladeatapointhecouldnotyetseebecausethebull’sheadwashigherthanhiseyes.Hewouldbringthatheaddownwiththesweephisleftarmwouldmakewiththewet,heavycloth;butnowherockedbackalittleonhisheelsandsightedalongtheblade,profiledinfrontofthesplinteredhorn;thebull’schestheavingandhiseyeswatchingthecloth.

Shesawhimveryclearlynowandsheheardhisthin,clearvoiceasheturnedhisheadandlookedtowardthepeopleinthefirstrowoftheringabovetheredfenceandsaid,“Let’sseeifwecankillhimlikethis!”

Shecouldhearthevoiceandthenseethefirstbendofthekneeashestartedforwardandwatchhisvoyageinontothehornthatlowerednowmagicallyasthebull’smuzzlefollowedthelowsweptcloth,thethin,brownwristcontrolled,sweepingthehornsdownandpast,astheswordenteredthedustyheightofthewithers.

Shesawitsbrightnessgoinginslowlyandsteadilyasthoughthebull’srushpluckeditintohimselfandoutfromtheman’shandandshewatcheditmoveinuntilthebrownknucklesrestedagainstthetauthideandtheshort,brownmanwhoseeyeshadneverlefttheentryplaceoftheswordnowswunghissucked-inbellyclearofthehornandrockedclearfromtheanimal,tostandholdingtheclothonthestickinhislefthand,raisinghisrighthandtowatchthebulldie.

Shesawhimstanding,hiseyeswatchingthebulltryingtoholdtheground,watchingthebullswaylikeatreebeforeitfalls,watchingthebullfighttoholdhisfeettotheearth,theshortman’shandraisedinaformalgestureoftriumph.Shesawhimstandingthereinthesweated,hollowreliefofitbeingover,feelingthereliefthatthebullwasdying,feelingthereliefthattherehadbeennoshock,noblowofthehornashecameclearfromitandthen,ashestood,thebullcouldholdtotheearthnolongerandcrashedover,rollingdeadwithallfourfeetintheair,andshecouldseetheshort,brownmanwalkingtiredandunsmilingtothefence.

Sheknewhecouldnotrunacrosstheringifhislifedependedonitandshewatchedhimwalkslowlytothefenceandwipehismouthonatowelandlookupatherandshakehisheadandthenwipehisfaceonthetowelandstarthistriumphantcirclingofthering.

Shesawhimmovingslowly,draggingaroundthering,smiling,bowing,smiling,hisassistantswalkingbehindhim,stooping,pickingupcigars,tossingbackhats;hecirclingtheringsad-eyedandsmiling,toendthecirclebeforeher.Thenshelookedoverandsawhimsittingnowonthestepofthewoodenfence,hismouthinatowel.

Pilarsawallthisasshestoodthereoverthefireandshesaid,“Sohewasn’tagoodmatador?Withwhatclassofpeopleismylifepassednow!”

“Hewasagoodmatador,”Pablosaid.“Hewashandicappedbyhisshortstature.”

“Andclearlyhewastubercular,”Primitivosaid.

“Tubercular?”Pilarsaid.“Whowouldn’tbetubercularfromthepunishmenthereceived?InthiscountrywherenopoormancaneverhopetomakemoneyunlessheisacriminallikeJuanMarch,orabullfighter,oratenorintheopera?Whywouldn’thebetubercular?Inacountrywherethebourgeoisieover-eatsothattheirstomachsareallruinedandtheycannotlivewithoutbicarbonateofsodaandthepoorarehungryfromtheirbirthtillthedaytheydie,whywouldn’thebetubercular?Ifyoutravelledundertheseatsinthird-classcarriagestoridefreewhenyouwerefollowingthefairslearningtofightasaboy,downthereinthedustanddirtwiththefreshspitandthedryspit,wouldn’tyoubetubercularifyourchestwasbeatenoutbyhorns?”

“Clearly,”Primitivosaid.“Ionlysaidhewastubercular.”

“Ofcoursehewastubercular,”Pilarsaid,standingtherewiththebigwoodenstirringspooninherhand.“Hewasshortofstatureandhehadathinvoiceandmuchfearofbulls.NeverhaveIseenamanwithmorefearbeforethebullfightandneverhaveIseenamanwithlessfearinthering.“You,”shesaidtoPablo.“Youareafraidtodienow.Youthinkthatissomethingofimportance.ButFinitowasafraidallthetimeandintheringhewaslikealion.”

“Hehadthefameofbeingveryvaliant,”thesecondbrothersaid.

“NeverhaveIknownamanwithsomuchfear,”Pilarsaid.“Hewouldnotevenhaveabull’sheadinthehouse.OnetimeattheferiaofValladolidhekilledabullofPabloRomeroverywell——”

“Iremember,”thefirstbrothersaid.“Iwasatthering.Itwasasoap-coloredonewithacurlyforeheadandwithveryhighhorns.Itwasabullofoverthirtyarrobas.ItwasthelastbullhekilledinValladolid.”

“Exactly,”Pilarsaid.“AndafterwardstheclubofenthusiastswhometintheCaféColonandhadtakenhisnamefortheirclubhadtheheadofthebullmountedandpresentedittohimatasmallbanquetattheCaféColon.Duringthemealtheyhadtheheadonthewall,butitwascoveredwithacloth.Iwasatthetableandotherswerethere,Pastora,whoisuglierthanIam,andtheNinadelosPeines,andothergypsiesandwhoresofgreatcategory.Itwasabanquet,smallbutofgreatintensityandalmostofaviolenceduetoadisputebetweenPastoraandoneofthemostsignificantwhoresoveraquestionofpropriety.I,myself,wasfeelingmorethanhappyandIwassittingbyFinitoandInoticedhewouldnotlookupatthebull’shead,whichwasshroudedinapurpleclothastheimagesofthesaintsarecoveredinchurchduingtheweekofthepassionofourformerLord.

“Finitodidnoteatmuchbecausehehadreceivedapalotaxo,ablowfromtheflatofthehornwhenhehadgoneintokillinhislastcorridaoftheyearatZaragoza,andithadrenderedhimunconsciousforsometimeandevennowhecouldnotholdfoodonhisstomachandhewouldputhishandkerchieftohismouthanddepositaquantityofbloodinitatintervalsthroughoutthebanquet.WhatwasIgoingtotellyou?”

“Thebull’shead,”Primitivosaid.“Thestuffedheadofthebull.”

“Yes,”Pilarsaid.“Yes.ButImusttellcertaindetailssothatyouwillseeit.Finitowasneververymerry,youknow.HewasessentiallysolemnandIhadneverknownhimwhenwewerealonetolaughatanything.Notevenatthingswhichwereverycomic.Hetookeverythingwithgreatseriousness.HewasalmostasseriousasFernando.ButthiswasabanquetgivenhimbyaclubofaficionadosbandedtogetherintotheClubFinitoanditwasnecessaryforhimtogiveanappearanceofgaietyandfriendlinessandmerriment.SoallduringthemealhesmiledandmadefriendlyremarksanditwasonlyIwhonoticedwhathewasdoingwiththehandkerchief.Hehadthreehandkerchiefswithhimandhefilledthethreeofthemandthenhesaidtomeinaverylowvoice,‘Pilar,Icansupportthisnofurther.IthinkImustleave.’

“‘Letusleavethen,’Isaid.ForIsawhewassufferingmuch.Therewasgreathilaritybythistimeatthebanquetandthenoisewastremendous.

“‘No.Icannotleave,’Finitosaidtome.‘AfterallitisaclubflamedformeandIhaveanobligation.’

“‘Ifthouartillletusgo,’Isaid.

“‘Nay,’hesaid.‘Iwillstay.Givemesomeofthatmanzanilla.’

“Ididnotthinkitwaswiseofhimtodrink,sincehehadeatennothing,andsincehehadsuchaconditionofthestomach;buthewasevidentlyunabletosupportthemerrimentandthehilarityandthenoiselongerwithouttakingsomething.SoIwatchedhimdrink,veryrapidly,almostabottleofthemanzanilla.Havingexhaustedhishandkerchiefshewasnowemployinghisnapkinfortheusehehadpreviouslymadeofhishandkerchiefs.

“Nowindeedthebanquethadreachedastageofgreatenthusiasmandsomeoftheleastheavyofthewhoreswerebeingparadedaroundthetableontheshouldersofvariousoftheclubmembers.PastorawasprevailedupontosingandElNi?oRicardoplayedtheguitaranditwasverymovingandanoccasionoftruejoyanddrunkenfriendshipofthehighestorder.NeverhaveIseenabanquetatwhichahigherpitchofrealflamencoenthusiasmwasreachedandyetwehadnotarrivedattheunveilingofthebull’sheadwhichwas,afterall,thereasonforthecelebrationofthebanquet.

“IwasenjoyingmyselftosuchanextentandIwassobusyclappingmyhandstotheplayingofRicardoandaidingtomakeupateamtoclapforthesingingoftheNinadelosPeinesthatIdidnotnoticethatFinitohadfilledhisownnapkinbynow,andthathehadtakenmine.Hewasdrinkingmoremanzanillanowandhiseyeswereverybright,andhewasnoddingveryhappilytoeveryone.Hecouldnotspeakmuchbecauseatanytime,whilespeaking,hemighthavetoresorttohisnapkin;buthewasgivinganappearanceofgreatgayetyandenjoymentwhich,afterall,waswhathewastherefor.

“SothebanquetproceededandthemanwhosatnexttomehadbeentheformermanagerofRafaelelGalloandhewastellingmeastory,andtheendofitwas,‘SoRafaelcametomeandsaid,“YouarethebestfriendIhaveintheworldandthenoblest.IloveyoulikeabrotherandIwishtomakeyouapresent.”Sothenhegavemeabeautifuldiamondstickpinandkissedmeonbothcheeksandwewerebothverymoved.ThenRafaelelGallo,havinggivenmethediamondstickpin,walkedoutofthecaféandIsaidtoRetanawhowassittingatthetable,“Thatdirtygypsyhadjustsignedacontractwithanothermanager.”’

“‘“Whatdoyoumean?”Retanaasked.’

“‘I’vemanagedhimfortenyearsandhehasnevergivenmeapresentbefore,’themanagerofElGallohadsaid.‘That’stheonlythingitcanmean.’AndsureenoughitwastrueandthatwashowElGallolefthim.

“Butatthispoint,Pastoraintervenedintheconversation,notperhapsasmuchtodefendthegoodnameofRafael,sincenoonehadeverspokenharderagainsthimthanshehadherself,butbecausethemanagerhadspokenagainstthegypsiesbyemployingthephrase,‘Dirtygypsy.’Sheintervenedsoforciblyandinsuchtermsthatthemanagerwasreducedtosilence.IintervenedtoquietPastoraandanotherGitanaintervenedtoquietmeandthedinwassuchthatnoonecoulddistinguishanywordswhichpassedexcepttheonegreatword‘whore’whichroaredoutaboveallotherwordsuntilquietwasrestoredandthethreeofuswhohadintervenedsatlookingdownintoourglassesandthenInoticedthatFinitowasstaringatthebull’shead,stilldrapedinthepurplecloth,withalookofhorroronhisface.

“AtthismomentthepresidentoftheClubcommencedthespeechwhichwastoprecedetheunveilingoftheheadandallthroughthespeechwhichwasapplaudedwithshoutsof‘Ole!’andpoundingsonthetableIwaswatchingFinitowhowasmakinguseofhis,no,my,napkinandsinkingfurtherbackinhischairandstaringwithhorrorandfascinationattheshroudedbull’sheadonthewalloppositehim.

“Towardtheendofthespeech,Finitobegantoshakehisheadandhegotfurtherbackinthechairallthetime.

“‘Howareyou,littleone?’Isaidtohimbutwhenhelookedatmehedidnotrecognizemeandheonlyshookhisheadandsaid,‘No.No.No.’

“SothepresidentoftheClubreachedtheendofthespeechandthen,witheverybodycheeringhim,hestoodonachairandreachedupanduntiedthecordthatboundthepurpleshroudovertheheadandslowlypulleditclearoftheheadanditstuckononeofthehornsandhelifteditclearandpulleditoffthesharppolishedhornsandtherewasthatgreatyellowbullwithblackhornsthatswungWayoutandpointedforward,theirwhitetipssharpasporcupinequills,andtheheadofthebullwasasthoughhewerealive;hisforeheadwascurlyasinlifeandhisnostrilswereopenandhiseyeswerebrightandhewastherelookingstraightatFinito.

“EveryoneshoutedandapplaudedandFinitosunkfurtherbackinthechairandtheneveryonewasquietandlookingathimandhesaid,‘No.No,’andlookedatthebullandpulledfurtherbackandthenhesaid,‘No!’veryloudlyandabigblobofbloodcameoutandhedidn’tevenputupthenapkinanditsliddownhischinandhewasstilllookingatthebullandhesaid,‘Allseason,yes.Tomakemoney,yes.Toeat,yes.ButIcan’teat.Hearme?Mystomach’sbad.Butnowwiththeseasonfinished!No!No!No!’Helookedaroundatthetableandthenhelookedatthebull’sheadandsaid,‘No,’oncemoreandthenheputhisheaddownandheputhisnapkinuptohismouthandthenhejustsattherelikethatandsaidnothingandthebanquet,whichhadstartedsowell,andpromisedtomarkanepochinhilarityandgoodfellowshipwasnotasuccess.”

“Thenhowlongafterthatdidhedie?”Primitivoasked.

“Thatwinter,”Pilarsaid.“HeneverrecoveredfromthatlastblowwiththeflatofthehorninZaragoza.Theyareworsethanagoring,fortheinjuryisinternalanditdoesnotheal.Hereceivedonealmosteverytimehewentintokillanditwasforthisreasonhewasnotmoresuccessful.Itwasdifficultforhimtogetoutfromoverthehornbecauseofhisshortstature.Nearlyalwaysthesideofthehornstruckhim.Butofcoursemanywereonlyglancingblows.”

“Ifhewassoshortheshouldnothavetriedtobeamatador,”Primitivosaid.

PilarlookedatRobertJordanandshookherhead.Thenshebentoverthebigironpot,stillshakingherhead.

Whatapeopletheyare,shethought.WhatapeoplearetheSpaniards,“andifhewassoshortheshouldnothavetriedtobeamatador.”AndIhearitandsaynothing.IhavenorageforthatandhavingmadeanexplanationIamsilent.Howsimpleitiswhenoneknowsnothing.Quésencillo!Knowingnothingonesays,“Hewasnotmuchofamatador.”Knowingnothinganothersays,“Hewastubercular.”Andanothersays,afterone,knowing,hasexplained,“Ifhewassoshortheshouldnothavetriedtobeamatador.”

Now,bendingoverthefire,shesawonthebedagainthenakedbrownbodywiththegnarledscarsinboththighs,thedeep,searedwhorlbelowtheribsontherightsideofthechestandthelongwhiteweltalongthesidethatendedinthearmpit.Shesawtheeyesclosedandthesolemnbrownfaceandthecurlyblackhairpushedbacknowfromtheforeheadandshewassittingbyhimonthebedrubbingthelegs,chafingthetautmusclesofthecalves,kneadingthem,looseningthem,andthentappingthemlightlywithherfoldedhands,looseningthecrampedmuscles.

“Howisit?”shesaidtohim.“Howarethelegs,littleone?”

“Verywell,Pilar,”hewouldsaywithoutopeninghiseyes.

“Doyouwantmetorubthechest?”

“Nay,Pilar.Pleasedonottouchit.”

“Andtheupperlegs?”

“No.Theyhurttoobadly.”

“ButifIrubthemandputlinimenton,itwillwarmthemandtheywillbebetter.”

“Nay,Pilar.Thankthee.Iwouldrathertheywerenottouched.”

“Iwillwashtheewithalcohol.”

“Yes.Doitverylightly.”

“Youwereenormousinthelastbull,”shewouldsaytohimandhewouldsay,“Yes,Ikilledhimverywell.”

Then,havingwashedhimandcoveredhimwithasheet,shewouldliebyhiminthebedandhewouldputabrownhandoutandtouchherandsay,“Thouartmuchwoman,Pilar.”Itwasthenearesttoajokeheevermadeandthen,usually,afterthefight,hewouldgotosleepandshewouldliethere,holdinghishandinhertwohandsandlisteningtohimbreathe.

Hewasoftenfrightenedinhissleepandshewouldfeelhishandgriptightlyandseethesweatbeadonhisforeheadandifhewoke,shesaid,“It’snothing,”andhesleptagain.Shewaswithhimthusfiveyearsandneverwasunfaithfultohim,thatisalmostnever,andthenafterthefuneral,shetookupwithPablowholedpicadorhorsesintheringandwaslikeallthebullsthatFinitohadspenthislifekilling.Butneitherbullforcenorbullcouragelasted,sheknewnow,andwhatdidlast?Ilast,shethought.Yes,Ihavelasted.Butforwhat?

“Maria,”shesaid.“Paysomeattentiontowhatyouaredoing.Thatisafiretocookwith.Nottoburndownacity.”

Justthenthegypsycameinthedoor.Hewascoveredwithsnowandhestoodthereholdinghiscarbineandstampingthesnowfromhisfeet.

RobertJordanstoodupandwentovertothedoor,“Well?”hesaidtothegypsy.

“Six-hourwatches,twomenatatimeonthebigbridge,”thegypsysaid.“Thereareeightmenandacorporalattheroadmender’shut.Hereisthychronometer.”

“Whataboutthesawmillpost?”

“Theoldmanisthere.Hecanwatchthatandtheroadboth.”

“Andtheroad?”RobertJordanasked.

“Thesamemovementasalways,”thegypsysaid.“Nothingoutoftheusual.Severalmotorcars.”

Thegypsylookedcold,hisdarkfacewasdrawnwiththecoldandhishandswerered.Standinginthemouthofthecavehetookoffhisjacketandshookit.

“Istayeduntiltheychangedthewatch,”hesaid.“Itwaschangedatnoonandatsix.Thatisalongwatch.IamgladIamnotintheirarmy.”

“Letusgofortheoldman,”RobertJordansaid,puttingonhisleathercoat.

“Notme,”thegypsysaid.“Igonowforthefireandthehotsoup.Iwilltelloneofthesewhereheisandhecanguideyou.Hey,loafers,”hecalledtothemenwhosatatthetable.“WhowantstoguidetheInglétowheretheoldmaniswatchingtheroad?”

“Iwillgo,”Fernandorose.“Tellmewhereitis.”

“Listen,”thegypsysaid.“Itishere——”andhetoldhimwheretheoldman,Anselmo,wasposted.