CHAPTER 16

“ElSordowashere,”PilarsaidtoRobertJordan.TheyhadcomeinoutofthestormtothesmokywarmthofthecaveandthewomanhadmotionedRobertJordanovertoherwithanodofherhead.“He’sgonetolookforhorses.”

“Good.Didheleaveanywordforme?”

“Onlythathehadgoneforhorses.”

“Andwe?”

“Nosé,”shesaid.“Lookathim.”

RobertJordanhadseenPablowhenhecameinandPablohadgrinnedathim.Nowhelookedoverathimsittingattheboardtableandgrinnedandwavedhishand.

“Inglé,”Pablocalled.“It’sstillfalling,Inglé.”

RobertJordannoddedathim.

“Letmetakethyshoesanddrythem,”Mariasaid.“Iwillhangthemhereinthesmokeofthefire.”

“Watchoutyoudon’tburnthem,”RobertJordantoldher.“Idon’twanttogoaroundherebarefoot.What’sthematter?”heturnedtoPilar.“Isthisameeting?Haven’tyouanysentriesout?”

“Inthisstorm?Quéva.”

Thereweresixmensittingatthetableandleaningbackagainstthewall.AnselmoandFernandowerestillshakingthesnowfromtheirjackets,beatingtheirtrousersandrappingtheirfeetagainstthewallbytheentrance.

“Letmetakethyjacket,”Mariasaid.“Donotletthesnowmeltonit.”

RobertJordanslippedoutofhisjacket,beatthesnowfromhistrousers,anduntiedhisshoes.

“Youwillgeteverythingwethere,”Pilarsaid.

“Itwastheewhocalledme.”

“Stillthereisnoimpedimenttoreturningtothedoorforthybrushing.”

“Excuseme,”RobertJordansaid,standinginhisbarefeetonthedirtfloor.“Huntmeapairofsocks,Maria.”

“TheLordandMaster,”Pilarsaidandpokedapieceofwoodintothefire.

“Hayqueaprovechareltiempo,”RobertJordantoldher.“Youhavetotakeadvantageofwhattimethereis.”

“Itislocked,”Mariasaid.

“Hereisthekey,”andhetosseditover.

“Itdoesnotfitthissack.”

“Itistheothersack.Theyareontopandattheside.”

Thegirlfoundthepairofsocks,closedthesack,lockeditandbroughtthemoverwiththekey.

“Sitdownandputthemonandrubthyfeetwell,”shesaid.RobertJordangrinnedather.

“Thoucanstnotdrythemwiththyhair?”hesaidforPilartohear.

“Whataswine,”shesaid.“FirstheistheLordoftheManor.Nowheisourex-LordHimself.Hithimwithachunkofwood,Maria.”

“Nay,”RobertJordansaidtoher.“IamjokingbecauseIamhappy.”

“Youarehappy?”

“Yes,”hesaid.“Ithinkeverythinggoesverywell.”

“Roberto,”Mariasaid.“Gositdownanddrythyfeetandletmebringtheesomethingtodrinktowarmthee.”

“Youwouldthinkthatmanhadneverdampenedfootbefore,”Pilarsaid.“Northataflakeofsnowhadeverfallen.”

Mariabroughthimasheepskinandputitonthedirtfloorofthecave.

“There,”shesaid.“Keepthatundertheeuntilthyshoesaredry.”

ThesheepskinwasfreshdriedandnottannedandasRobertJordanrestedhisstockingfeetonithecouldfeelitcracklelikeparchment.

ThefirewassmokingandPilarcalledtoMaria,“Blowupthefire,worthlessone.Thisisnosmokehouse.”

“Blowitthyself,”Mariasaid.“IamsearchingforthebottlethatElSordoleft.”

“Itisbehindhispacks,”Pilartoldher.“Mustyoucareforhimasasuckingchild?”

“No,”Mariasaid.“Asamanwhoiscoldandwet.Andamanwhohasjustcometohishouse.Hereitis.”ShebroughtthebottletowhereRobertJordansat.“Itisthebottleofthisnoon.Withthisbottleonecouldmakeabeautifullamp.Whenwehaveelectricityagain,whatalampwecanmakeofthisbottle.”Shelookedatthepinchbottleadmiringly.“Howdoyoutakethis,Roberto?”

“IthoughtIwasInglé,”RobertJordansaidtoher.

“IcalltheeRobertobeforetheothers,”shesaidinalowvoiceandblushed.“Howdoyouwantit,Roberto?”

“Roberto,”PablosaidthicklyandnoddedhisheadatRobertJordan.“Howdoyouwantit,DonRoberto?”

“Doyouwantsome?”RobertJordanaskedhim.

Pabloshookhishead.“Iammakingmyselfdrunkwithwine,”hesaidwithdignity.

“GowithBacchus,”RobertJordansaidinSpanish.

“WhoisBacchus?”Pabloasked.

“Acomradeofthine,”RobertJordansaid.

“NeverhaveIheardofhim,”Pablosaidheavily.“Neverinthesemountains.”

“GiveacuptoAnselmo,”RobertJordansaidtoMaria.“Itishewhoiscold.”Hewasputtingonthedrypairofsocksandthewhiskeyandwaterinthecuptastedcleanandthinlywarming.Butitdoesnotcurlaroundinsideofyouthewaytheabsinthedoes,hethought.Thereisnothinglikeabsinthe.

Whowouldimaginetheywouldhavewhiskeyuphere,hethought.ButLaGranjawasthemostlikelyplaceinSpaintofinditwhenyouthoughtitover.ImagineSordogettingabottleforthevisitingdynamiterandthenrememberingtobringitdownandleaveit.Itwasn’tjustmannersthattheyhad.Mannerswouldhavebeenproducingthebottleandhavingaformaldrink.ThatwaswhattheFrenchwouldhavedoneandthentheywouldhavesavedwhatwasleftforanotheroccasion.No,thetruethoughtfulnessofthinkingthevisitorwouldlikeitandthenbringingitdownforhimtoenjoywhenyouyourselfwereengagedinsomethingwheretherewaseveryreasontothinkofnooneelsebutyourselfandofnothingbutthematterinhand——thatwasSpanish.OnekindofSpanish,hethought.Rememberingtobringthewhiskeywasoneofthereasonsyoulovedthesepeople.Don’tgoromanticizingthem,hethought.ThereareasmanysortsofSpanishasthereareAmericans.Butstill,bringingthewhiskeywasveryhandsome.

“Howdoyoulikeit?”heaskedAnselmo.

Theoldmanwassittingbythefirewithasmileonhisface,hisbighandsholdingthecup.Heshookhishead.

“No?”RobertJordanaskedhim.

“Thechildputwaterinit,”Anselmosaid.

“ExactlyasRobertotakesit,”Mariasaid.“Artthousomethingspecial?”

“No,”Anselmotoldher.“Nothingspecialatall.ButIliketofeelitburnasitgoesdown.”

“Givemethat,”RobertJordantoldthegirl,“andpourhimsomeofthatwhichburns.”

Hetippedthecontentsofthecupintohisownandhandeditbackemptytothegirl,whopouredcarefullyintoitfromthebottle.

“Ah,”Anselmotookthecup,puthisheadbackandletitrundownhisthroat.HelookedatMariastandingholdingthebottleandwinkedather,tearscomingfrombotheyes.“That,”hesaid.“That.”Thenhelickedhislips.“Thatiswhatkillsthewormthathauntsus.”

“Roberto,”Mariasaidandcameovertohim,stillholdingthebottle.“Areyoureadytoeat?”

“Isitready?”

“Itisreadywhenyouwishit.”

“Havetheotherseaten?”

“Allexceptyou,AnselmoandFernando.”

“Letuseatthen,”hetoldher.“Andthou?”

“AfterwardswithPilar.”

“Eatnowwithus.”

“No.Itwouldnotbewell.”

“Comeonandeat.Inmycountryamandoesnoteatbeforehiswoman.”

“Thatisthycountry.Hereitisbettertoeatafter.”

“Eatwithhim,”Pablosaid,lookingupfromthetable.“Eatwithhim.Drinkwithhim.Sleepwithhim.Diewithhim.Followthecustomsofhiscountry.”

“Areyoudrunk?”RobertJordansaid,standinginfrontofPablo.Thedirty,stubblefacedmanlookedathimhappily.

“Yes,”Pablosaid.“Whereisthycountry,Inglé,wherethewomeneatwiththemen?”

“InEstadosUnidosinthestateofMontana.”

“Isittherethatthemenwearskirtsasdothewomen?”

“No.ThatisinScotland.”

“Butlisten,”Pablosaid.“Whenyouwearskirtslikethat,Inglé—”

“Idon’twearthem,”RobertJordansaid.

“Whenyouarewearingthoseskirts,”Pablowenton,“whatdoyouwearunderthem?”

“Idon’tknowwhattheScotchwear,”RobertJordansaid.“I’vewonderedmyself.”

“NottheEscoceses,”Pablosaid.“WhocaresabouttheEscoceses?Whocaresaboutanythingwithanameasrareasthat?Notme.Idon’tcare.You,Isay,Inglé.You.Whatdoyouwearunderyourskirtsinyourcountry?”

“TwiceIhavetoldyouthatwedonotwearskirts,”RobertJordansaid.“Neitherdrunknorinjoke.”

“Butunderyourskirts,”Pabloinsisted.“Sinceitiswellknownthatyouwearskirts.Eventhesoldiers.IhaveseenphotographsandalsoIhaveseenthemintheCircusofPrice.Whatdoyouwearunderyourskirts,Inglé?”

“Loscojones,”RobertJordansaid.

Anselmolaughedandsodidtheotherswhowerelistening;allexceptFernando.Thesoundoftheword,ofthegrosswordspokenbeforethewomen,wasoffensivetohim.

“Well,thatisnormal,”Pablosaid.“Butitseemstomethatwithenoughcojonesyouwouldnotwearskirts.”

“Don’tlethimgetstartedagain,Inglé,”theflat-facedmanwiththebrokennosewhowascalledPrimitivosaid.“Heisdrunk.Tellme,whatdotheyraiseinyourcountry?”

“Cattleandsheep,”RobertJordansaid.“Muchgrainalsoandbeans.Andalsomuchbeetsforsugar.”

ThethreewereatthetablenowandtheotherssatclosebyexceptPablo,whosatbyhimselfinfrontofabowlofthewine.ItwasthesamestewasthenightbeforeandRobertJordanateithungrily.

“Inyourcountrytherearemountains?Withthatnamesurelytherearemountains,”Primitivoaskedpolitelytomakeconversation.HewasembarrassedatthedrunkennessofPablo.

“Manymountainsandveryhigh.”

“Andaretheregoodpastures?”

“Excellent;highpastureinthesummerinforestscontrolledbythegovernment.Theninthefallthecattlearebroughtdowntothelowerranges.”

“Isthelandthereownedbythepeasants?”

“Mostlandisownedbythosewhofarmit.Originallythelandwasownedbythestateandbylivingonitanddeclaringtheintentionofimprovingit,amancouldobtainatitletoahundredandfiftyhectares.”

“Tellmehowthisisdone,”Agustínasked.“Thatisanagrarianreformwhichmeanssomething.”

RobertJordanexplainedtheprocessofhomesteading.Hehadneverthoughtofitbeforeasanagrarianreform.

“Thatismagnificent,”Primitivosaid.“Thenyouhaveacommunisminyourcountry?”

“No.ThatisdoneundertheRepublic.”

“Forme,”Agustínsaid,“everythingcanbedoneundertheRepublic.Iseenoneedforotherformofgovernment.”

“Doyouhavenobigproprietors?”Andrésasked.

“Many.”

“Thentheremustbeabuses.”

“Certainly.Therearemanyabuses.”

“Butyouwilldoawaywiththem?”

“Wetrytomoreandmore.Buttherearemanyabusesstill.”

“Buttherearenotgreatestatesthatmustbebrokenup?”

“Yes.Buttherearethosewhobelievethattaxeswillbreakthemup.”

“How?”

RobertJordan,wipingoutthestewbowlwithbread,explainedhowtheincometaxandinheritancetaxworked.“Butthebigestatesremain.Alsotherearetaxesontheland,”hesaid.

“Butsurelythebigproprietorsandtherichwillmakearevolutionagainstsuchtaxes.Suchtaxesappeartometoberevolutionary.Theywillrevoltagainstthegovernmentwhentheyseethattheyarethreatened,exactlyasthefascistshavedonehere,”Primitivosaid.

“Itispossible.”

“Thenyouwillhavetofightinyourcountryaswefighthere.”

“Yes,wewillhavetofight.”

“Butaretherenotmanyfascistsinyourcountry?”

“Therearemanywhodonotknowtheyarefascistsbutwillfinditoutwhenthetimecomes.”

“Butyoucannotdestroythemuntiltheyrebel?”

“No,”RobertJordansaid.“Wecannotdestroythem.Butwecaneducatethepeoplesothattheywillfearfascismandrecognizeitasitappearsandcombatit.”

“Doyouknowwheretherearenofascists?”Andrésasked.

“Where?”

“InthetownofPablo,”Andréssaidandgrinned.

“Youknowwhatwasdoneinthatvillage?”PrimitivoaskedRobertJordan.

“Yes.Ihaveheardthestory.”

“FromPilar?”

“Yes.”

“Youcouldnothearallofitfromthewoman,”Pablosaidheavily.“Becauseshedidnotseetheendofitbecauseshefellfromachairoutsideofthewindow.”

“Youtellhimwhathappenedthen,”Pilarsaid.“SinceIknownotthestory,letyoutellit.”

“Nay,”Pablosaid.“Ihavenevertoldit.”

“No,”Pilarsaid.“Andyouwillnottellit.Andnowyouwishithadnothappened.”

“No,”Pablosaid.“Thatisnottrue.AndifallhadkilledthefascistsasIdidwewouldnothavethiswar.ButIwouldnothavehadithappenasithappened.”

“Whydoyousaythat?”Primitivoaskedhim.“Areyouchangingyourpolitics?”

“No.Butitwasbarbarous,”Pablosaid.“InthosedaysIwasverybarbarous.”

“Andnowyouaredrunk,”Pilarsaid.

“Yes,”Pablosaid.“Withyourpermission.”

“Ilikedyoubetterwhenyouwerebarbarous,”thewomansaid.“Ofallmenthedrunkardisthefoulest.Thethiefwhenheisnotstealingislikeanother.Theextortionerdoesnotpractiseinthehome.Themurdererwhenheisathomecanwashhishands.Butthedrunkardstinksandvomitsinhisownbedanddissolveshisorgansinalcohol.”

“Youareawomanandyoudonotunderstand,”Pablosaidequably.“IamdrunkonwineandIwouldbehappyexceptforthosepeopleIhavekilled.Allofthemfillmewithsorrow.”Heshookhisheadlugubriously.

“GivehimsomeofthatwhichSordobrought,”Pilarsaid.“Givehimsomethingtoanimatehim.Heisbecomingtoosadtobear.”

“IfIcouldrestorethemtolife,Iwould,”Pablosaid.

“Goandobscenitythyself,”Agustínsaidtohim.“Whatsortofplaceisthis?”

“Iwouldbringthemallbacktolife,”Pablosaidsadly.“Everyone.”

“Thymother,”Agustínshoutedathim.“Stoptalkinglikethisorgetout.Thosewerefascistsyoukilled.”

“Youheardme,”Pablosaid.“Iwouldrestorethemalltolife.”

“Andthenyouwouldwalkonthewater,”Pilarsaid.“InmylifeIhaveneverseensuchaman.Upuntilyesterdayyoupreservedsomeremnantsofmanhood.Andtodaythereisnotenoughofyoulefttomakeasickkitten.Yetyouarehappyinyoursoddenness.”

“Weshouldhavekilledallornone,”Pablonoddedhishead.“Allornone.”

“Listen,Inglé,”Agustínsaid.“HowdidyouhappentocometoSpain?PaynoattentiontoPablo.Heisdrunk.”

“Icamefirsttwelveyearsagotostudythecountryandthelanguage,”RobertJordansaid.“IteachSpanishinauniversity.”

“Youlookverylittlelikeaprofessor,”Primitivosaid.

“Hehasnobeard,”Pablosaid.“Lookathim.Hehasnobeard.”

“Areyoutrulyaprofessor?”

“Aninstructor.”

“Butyouteach?”

“Yes.”

“ButwhySpanish?”Andrésasked.“WoulditnotbeeasiertoteachEnglishsinceyouareEnglish?”

“HespeaksSpanishaswedo,”Anselmosaid.“WhyshouldhenotteachSpanish?”

“Yes.Butitis,inaway,presumptuousforaforeignertoteachSpanish,”Fernandosaid.“Imeannothingagainstyou,DonRoberto.”

“He’safalseprofessor,”Pablosaid,verypleasedwithhimself.“Hehasn’tgotabeard.”

“SurelyyouknowEnglishbetter,”Fernandosaid.“WoulditnotbebetterandeasierandclearertoteachEnglish?”

“Hedoesn’tteachittoSpaniards——”Pilarstartedtointervene.

“Ishouldhopenot,”Fernandosaid.

“Letmefinish,youmule,”Pilarsaidtohim.“HeteachesSpanishtoAmericans.NorthAmericans.”

“CantheynotspeakSpanish?”Fernandoasked.“SouthAmericanscan.”

“Mule,”Pilarsaid.“HeteachesSpanishtoNorthAmericanswhospeakEnglish.”

“StillandallIthinkitwouldbeeasierforhimtoteachEnglishifthatiswhathespeaks,”Fernandosaid.

“Can’tyouhearhespeaksSpanish?”PilarshookherheadhopelesslyatRobertJordan.

“Yes.Butwithanaccent.”

“Ofwhere?”RobertJordanasked.

“OfEstremadura,”Fernandosaidprimly.

“Ohmymother,”Pilarsaid.“Whatapeople!”

“Itispossible,”RobertJordansaid.“Ihavecomeherefromthere.”

“Ashewellknows,”Pilarsaid.“Youoldmaid,”sheturnedtoFernando.“Haveyouhadenoughtoeat?”

“Icouldeatmoreifthereisasufficientquantity,”Fernandotoldher.“AnddonotthinkthatIwishtosayanythingagainstyou,DonRoberto—”

“Milk,”Agustínsaidsimply.“Andmilkagain.DowemaketherevolutioninordertosayDonRobertotoacomrade?”

“FormetherevolutionissothatallwillsayDontoall,”Fernandosaid.“ThusshoulditbeundertheRepublic.”

“Milk,”Agustínsaid.“Blackmilk.”

“AndIstillthinkitwouldbeeasierandclearerforDonRobertototeachEnglish.”

“DonRobertohasnobeard,”Pablosaid.“Heisafalseprofessor.”

“Whatdoyoumean,Ihavenobeard?”RobertJordansaid.“What’sthis?”Hestrokedhischinandhischeekswherethethreedaygrowthmadeablondstubble.

“Notabeard,”Pablosaid.Heshookhishead.“That’snotabeard.”Hewasalmostjovialnow.“He’safalseprofessor.”

“Iobscenityinthemilkofall,”Agustínsaid,“ifitdoesnotseemlikealunaticasylumhere.”

“Youshoulddrink,”Pablosaidtohim.“Tomeeverythingappearsnormal.ExceptthelackofbeardofDonRoberto.”

MariaranherhandoverRobertJordan’scheek.

“Hehasabeard,”shesaidtoPablo.

“Youshouldknow,”PablosaidandRobertJordanlookedathim.

Idon’tthinkheissodrunk,RobertJordanthought.No,notsodrunk.AndIthinkIhadbetterwatchmyself.

“Thou,”hesaidtoPablo.“Doyouthinkthissnowwilllast?”

“Whatdoyouthink?”

“Iaskedyou.”

“Askanother,”Pablotoldhim.“Iamnotthyserviceofinformation.Youhaveapaperfromthyserviceofinformation.Askthewoman.Shecommands.”

“Iaskedthee.”

“Goandobscenitythyself,”Pablotoldhim.“Theeandthewomanandthegirl.”

“Heisdrunk,”Primitivosaid.“Payhimnoheed,Inglé.”

“Idonotthinkheissodrunk,”RobertJordansaid.

MariawasstandingbehindhimandRobertJordansawPablowatchingheroverhisshoulder.Thesmalleyes,likeaboar’s,werewatchingheroutoftheround,stubblecoveredheadandRobertJordanthought:Ihaveknownmanykillersinthiswarandsomebeforeandtheywerealldifferent;thereisnocommontraitnorfeature;noranysuchthingasthecriminaltype;butPabloiscertainlynothandsome.

“Idon’tbelieveyoucandrink,”hesaidtoPablo.“Northatyou’redrunk.”

“Iamdrunk,”Pablosaidwithdignity.“Todrinkisnothing.Itistobedrunkthatisimportant.Estoymuyborracho.”

“Idoubtit,”RobertJordantoldhim.“Cowardly,yes.”

Itwassoquietinthecave,suddenly,thathecouldhearthehissingnoisethewoodmadeburningonthehearthwherePilarcooked.Heheardthesheepskincrackleasherestedhisweightonhisfeet.Hethoughthecouldalmosthearthesnowfallingoutside.Hecouldnot,buthecouldhearthesilencewhereitfell.

I’dliketokillhimandhaveitoverwith,RobertJordanwasthinking.Idon’tknowwhatheisgoingtodo,butitisnothinggood.Dayaftertomorrowisthebridgeandthismanisbadandheconstitutesadangertothesuccessofthewholeenterprise.Comeon.Letusgetitoverwith.

Pablogrinnedathimandputonefingerupandwipeditacrosshisthroat.Heshookhisheadthatturnedonlyalittleeachwayonhisthick,shortneck.

“Nay,Inglé,”hesaid.“Donotprovokeme.”HelookedatPilarandsaidtoher,“Itisnotthusthatyougetridofme.”

“Sinverguenza,”RobertJordansaidtohim,committednowinhisownmindtotheaction.“Cobarde.”

“Itisverypossible,”Pablosaid.“ButIamnottobeprovoked.Takesomethingtodrink,Inglé,andsignaltothewomanitwasnotsuccessful.”

“Shutthymouth,”RobertJordansaid.“Iprovoketheeformyself.”

“Itisnotworththetrouble,”Pablotoldhim.“Idonotprovoke.”

“Thouartabichoraro,”RobertJordansaid,notwantingtoletitgo;notwantingtohaveitfailforthesecondtime;knowingashespokethatthishadallbeengonethroughbefore;havingthatfeelingthathewasplayingapartfrommemoryofsomethingthathehadreadorhaddreamed,feelingitallmovinginacircle.

“Veryrare,yes,”Pablosaid.“Veryrareandverydrunk.Toyourhealth,Inglé.”Hedippedacupinthewinebowlandhelditup.“Saludycojones.”

He’srare,allright,RobertJordanthought,andsmart,andverycomplicated.Hecouldnolongerhearthefireforthesoundofhisownbreathing.

“Here’stoyou,”RobertJordansaid,anddippedacupintothewine.Betrayalwouldn’tamounttoanythingwithoutallthesepledges,hethought.Pledgeup.“Salud,”hesaid.“SaludandSaludagain,”yousalud,hethought.Salud,yousalud.

“DonRoberto,”Pablosaidheavily.

“DonPablo,”RobertJordansaid.

“You’renoprofessor,”Pablosaid,“becauseyouhaven’tgotabeard.Andalsotodoawaywithmeyouhavetoassassinatemeand,forthis,youhavenotcojones.”

HewaslookingatRobertJordanwithhismouthclosedsothathislipsmadeatightline,likethemouthofafish,RobertJordanthought.Withthatheaditislikeoneofthoseporcupinefishthatswallowairandswellupaftertheyarecaught.

“Salud,Pablo,”RobertJordansaidandraisedthecupupanddrankfromit.“Iamlearningmuchfromthee.”

“Iamteachingtheprofessor,”Pablonoddedhishead.“Comeon,DonRoberto,wewillbefriends.”

“Wearefriendsalready,”RobertJordansaid.

“Butnowwewillbegoodfriends.”

“Wearegoodfriendsalready.”

“I’mgoingtogetoutofhere,”Agustínsaid.“Truly,itissaidthatwemusteatatonofitinthislifebutIhavetwenty-fivepoundsofitstuckineachofmyearsthisminute.”

“Whatisthematter,negro?”Pablosaidtohim.“DoyounotliketoseefriendshipbetweenDonRobertoandme?”

“Watchyourmouthaboutcallingmenegro.”AgustínwentovertohimandstoodinfrontofPabloholdinghishandslow.

“Soyouarecalled,”Pablosaid.

“Notbythee.”

“Well,then,blanco—”

“Northat,either.”

“Whatareyouthen,Red?”

“Yes.Red.Rojo.WiththeRedstarofthearmyandinfavoroftheRepublic.AndmynameisAgustín.”

“Whatapatrioticman,”Pablosaid.“Look,Inglé,whatanexemplarypatriot.”

Agustínhithimhardacrossthemouthwithhislefthand,bringingitforwardinaslapping,backhandsweep.Pablosatthere.Thecornersofhismouthwerewinestainedandhisexpressiondidnotchange,butRobertJordanwatchedhiseyesnarrow,asacat’spupilsclosetoverticalslitsinaéstronglight.

“Northis,”Pablosaid.“Donotcountonthis,woman.”HeturnedhisheadtowardPilar.“Iamnotprovoked.”

Agustínhithimagain.Thistimehehithimonthemouthwithhisclosedfist.RobertJordanwasholdinghispistolinhishandunderthetable.HehadshovedthesafetycatchoffandhepushedMariaawaywithhislefthand.Shemovedalittlewayandhepushedherhardintheribswithhislefthandagaintomakehergetreallyaway.Shewasgonenowandhesawherfromthecornerofhiseye,slippingalongthesideofthecavetowardthefireandnowRobertJordanwatchedPablo’sface.

Theround-headedmansatstaringatAgustínfromhisflatlittleeyes.Thepupilswereevensmallernow.Helickedhislipsthen,putupanarmandwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand,lookeddownandsawthebloodonhishand.Heranhistongueoverhislips,thenspat.

“Northat,”hesaid.“Iamnotafool.Idonotprovoke.”

“Cabrón,”Agustínsaid.

“Youshouldknow,”Pablosaid.“Youknowthewoman.”

AgustínhithimagainhardinthemouthandPablolaughedathim,showingtheyellow,bad,brokenteethinthereddenedlineofhismouth.

“Leaveitalone,”Pablosaidandreachedwithacuptoscoopsomewinefromthebowl.“Nobodyherehascojonestokillmeandthisofthehandsissilly.”

“Cobarde,”Agustínsaid.

“Norwordseither,”Pablosaidandmadeaswishingnoiserinsingthewineinhismouth.Hespatonthefloor.“Iamfarpastwords.”

Agustínstoodtherelookingdownathimandcursedhim,speakingslowly,clearly,bitterlyandcontemptuouslyandcursingassteadilyasthoughheweredumpingmanureonafield,liftingitwithadungforkoutofawagon.

“Norofthose,”Pablosaid.“Leaveit,Agustín.Anddonothitmemore.Thouwiltinjurethyhands.”í

Agustínturnedfromhimandwenttothedoor.

“Donotgoout,”Pablosaid.“Itissnowingoutside.Makethyselfcomfortableinhere.”

“Andthou!Thou!”Agustínturnedfromthedoorandspoketohim,puttingallhiscontemptinthesingle,“Tu.”

“Yes,me,”saidPablo.“Iwillbealivewhenyouaredead.”

HedippedupanothercupofwineandraisedittoRobertJordan.“Totheprofessor,”hesaid.ThenturnedtoPilar.“TotheSe?oraCommander.”Thentoastedthemall,“Toalltheillusionedones.”

Agustínwalkedovertohimand,strikingquicklywiththesideofhishand,knockedthecupoutofhishand.

“Thatisawaste,”Pablosaid.“Thatissilly.”

Agustínsaidsomethingviletohim.

“No,”Pablosaid,dippingupanothercup.“Iamdrunk,seestthou?WhenIamnotdrunkIdonottalk.Youhaveneverheardmetalkmuch.Butanintelligentmanissometimesforcedtobedrunktospendhistimewithfools.”

“Goandobscenityinthemilkofthycowardice,”Pilarsaidtohim.“Iknowtoomuchabouttheeandthycowardice.”

“Howthewomantalks,”Pablosaid.“Iwillbegoingouttoseethehorses.”

“Goandbefoulthem,”Agustínsaid.“Isnotthatoneofthycustoms?”

“No,”Pablosaidandshookhishead.HewastakingdownhisbigblanketcapefromthewallandhelookedatAgustín.“Thou,”hesaid,“andthyviolence.”

“Whatdoyougotodowiththehorses?”Agustínsaid.

“Looktothem,”Pablosaid.

“Befoulthem,”Agustínsaid.“Horselover.”

“Icareforthemverymuch,”Pablosaid.“Evenfrombehindtheyarehandsomerandhavemoresensethanthesepeople.Divertyourselves,”hesaidandgrinned.“Speaktothemofthebridge,Inglé.Explaintheirdutiesintheattack.Tellthemhowtoconducttheretreat.Wherewillyoutakethem,Inglé.,afterthebridge?Wherewillyoutakeyourpatriots?IhavethoughtofitalldaywhileIhavebeendrinking.”

“Whathaveyouthought?”Agustínasked.

“WhathaveIthought?”Pablosaidandmovedhistonguearoundexploringlyinsidehislips.“Quéteimporta,whathaveIthought.”

“Sayit,”Agustínsaidtohim.

“Much,”Pablosaid.Hepulledtheblanketcoatoverhishead,theroundnessofhisheadprotrudingnowfromthedirtyyellowfoldsoftheblanket.“Ihavethoughtmuch.”

“What?”Agustínsaid.“What?”

“Ihavethoughtyouareagroupofillusionedpeople,”Pablosaid.“Ledbyawomanwithherbrainsbetweenherthighsandaforeignerwhocomestodestroyyou.”

“Getout,”Pilarshoutedathim.“Getoutandfistyourselfintothesnow.Takeyourbadmilkoutofhere,youhorseexhaustedmaricon.”

“Thusonetalks,”Agustínsaidadmiringly,butabsent-mindedly.Hewasworried.

“Igo,”saidPablo.“ButIwillbebackshortly.”Heliftedtheblanketoverthedoorofthecaveandsteppedout.Thenfromthedoorhecalled,“It’sstillfalling,Inglé.”