CHAPTER 18

Itislikeamerry-go-round,RobertJordanthought.Notamerry-goroundthattravelsfast,andwithacalliopeformusic,andthechildrenrideoncowswithgildedhorns,andthereareringstocatchwithsticks,andthereistheblue,gas-flare-litearlydarkoftheAvenueduMaine,withfriedfishsoldfromthenextstall,andawheeloffortuneturningwiththeleatherflapsslappingagainstthepostsofthenumberedcompartments,andthepackagesoflumpsugarpiledinpyramidsforprizes.No,itisnotthatkindofamerrygo-round;althoughthepeoplearewaiting,likethemenincapsandthewomeninknittedsweaters,theirheadsbareinthegaslightandtheirhairshining,whostandinfrontofthewheeloffortuneasitspins.Yes,thosearethepeople.Butthisisanotherwheel.Thisislikeawheelthatgoesupandaround.

Ithasbeenaroundtwicenow.Itisavastwheel,setatanangle,andeachtimeitgoesaroundandthenisbacktowhereitstarts.Onesideishigherthantheotherandthesweepitmakesliftsyoubackanddowntowhereyoustarted.Therearenoprizeseither,hethought,andnoonewouldchoosetoridethiswheel.Yourideiteachtimeandmaketheturnwithnointentionevertohavemounted.Thereisonlyoneturn;onelarge,elliptical,risingandfallingturnandyouarebackwhereyouhavestarted.Wearebackagainnow,hethought,andnothingissettled.

Itwaswarminthecaveandthewindhaddroppedoutside.Nowhewassittingatthetablewithhisnotebookinfrontofhimfiguringallthetechnicalpartofthebridgeblowing.Hedrewthreesketches,figuredhisformulas,markedthemethodofblowingwithtwodrawingsasclearlyasakindergartenprojectsothatAnselmocouldcompleteitincaseanythingshouldhappentohimselfduringtheprocessofthedemolition.Hefinishedthesesketchesandstudiedthem.

Mariasatbesidehimandlookedoverhisshoulderwhileheworked.HewasconsciousofPabloacrossthetableandoftheotherstalkingandplayingcardsandhesmelledtheodorsofthecavewhichhadchangednowfromthoseofthemealandthecookingtothefiresmokeandmansmell,thetobacco,red-wineandbrassy,stalebodysmell,andwhenMaria,watchinghimfinishingadrawing,putherhandonthetablehepickeditupwithhislefthandandliftedittohisfaceandsmelledthecoarsesoapandwaterfreshnessfromherwashingofthedishes.Helaidherhanddownwithoutlookingatherandwentonworkingandhecouldnotseeherblush.Sheletherhandliethere,closetohis,buthedidnotliftitagain.

Nowhehadfinishedthedemolitionprojectandhetookanewpageofthenotebookandcommencedtowriteouttheoperationorders.Hewasthinkingclearlyandwellontheseandwhathewrotepleasedhim.Hewrotetwopagesinthenotebookandreadthemovercarefully.

Ithinkthatisall,hesaidtohimself.ItisperfectlyclearandIdonotthinkthereareanyholesinit.ThetwopostswillbedestroyedandthebridgewillbeblownaccordingtoGolz’sordersandthatisallofmyresponsibility.AllofthisbusinessofPabloissomethingwithwhichIshouldneverhavebeensaddledanditwillbesolvedonewayoranother.TherewillbePabloortherewillbenoPablo.Icarenothingaboutiteitherway.ButIamnotgoingtogetonthatwheelagain.TwiceIhavebeenonthatwheelandtwiceithasgonearoundandcomebacktowhereitstartedandIamtakingnomoreridesonit.

HeshutthenotebookandlookedupatMaria.“Hola,guapa,”hesaidtoher.“Didyoumakeanythingoutofallthat?”

“No,Roberto,”thegirlsaidandputherhandonhishandthatstillheldthepencil.“Haveyoufinished?”

“Yes.Nowitisallwrittenoutandordered.”

“Whathaveyoubeendoing,Inglé?”Pabloaskedfromacrossthetable.Hiseyeswereblearyagain.

RobertJordanlookedathimclosely.Stayoffthatwheel,hesaidtohimself.Don’tsteponthatwheel.Ithinkitisgoingtostarttoswingagain.

“Workingontheproblemofthebridge,”hesaidcivilly.

“Howisit?”askedPablo.

“Verygood,”RobertJordansaid.“Allverygood.”

“Ihavebeenworkingontheproblemoftheretreat,”PablosaidandRobertJordanlookedathisdrunkenpigeyesandatthewinebowl.Thewinebowlwasnearlyempty.

Keepoffthewheel,hetoldhimself.Heisdrinkingagain.Sure.Butdon’tyougetonthatwheelnow.Wasn’tGrantsupposedtobedrunkagoodpartofthetimeduringtheCivilWar?Certainlyhewas.I’llbetGrantwouldbefuriousatthecomparisonifhecouldseePablo.Grantwasacigarsmoker,too.Well,hewouldhavetoseeaboutgettingPabloacigar.Thatwaswhatthatfacereallyneededtocompleteit;ahalfchewedcigar.WherecouldhegetPabloacigar?

“Howdoesitgo?”RobertJordanaskedpolitely.

“Verywell,”Pablosaidandnoddedhisheadheavilyandjudiciously.“Muybien.”

“You’vethoughtupsomething?”Agustínaskedfromwheretheywereplayingcards.

“Yes,”Pablosaid.“Variousthings.”

“Wheredidyoufindthem?Inthatbowl?”Agustíndemanded.

“Perhaps,”Pablosaid.“Whoknows?Maria,fillthebowl,willyou,please?”

“Inthewineskinitselfthereshouldbesomefineideas,”Agustínturnedbacktothecardgame.“Whydon’tyoucrawlinandlookfortheminsidetheskin?”

“Nay,”saidPabloequably.“Isearchfortheminthebowl.”

Heisnotgettingonthewheeleither,RobertJordanthought.Itmustberevolvingbyitself.Isupposeyoucannotridethatwheeltoolong.Thatisprobablyquiteadeadlywheel.I’mgladweareoffofit.Itwasmakingmedizzythereacoupleoftimes.Butitisthethingthatdrunkardsandthosewhoaretrulymeanorcruelrideuntiltheydie.Itgoesaroundandupandtheswingisneverquitethesameandthenitcomesarounddown.Letitswing,hethought.Theywillnotgetmeontoitagain.Nosir,GeneralGrant,Iamoffthatwheel.

Pilarwassittingbythefire,herchairturnedsothatshecouldseeovertheshouldersofthetwocardplayerswhohadtheirbackstoher.Shewaswatchingthegame.

Hereitistheshiftfromdeadlinesstonormalfamilylifethatisthestrangest,RobertJordanthought.Itiswhenthedamnedwheelcomesdownthatitgetsyou.ButIamoffthatwheel,hethought.Andnobodyisgoingtogetmeontoitagain.

TwodaysagoIneverknewthatPilar,Pablonortherestexisted,hethought.TherewasnosuchthingasMariaintheworld.Itwascertainlyamuchsimplerworld.IhadinstructionsfromGolzthatwereperfectlyclearandseemedperfectlypossibletocarryoutalthoughtheypresentedcertaindifficultiesandinvolvedcertainconsequences.AfterweblewthebridgeIexpectedeithertogetbacktothelinesornotgetbackandifwegotbackIwasgoingtoaskforsometimeinMadrid.NoonehasanyleaveinthiswarbutIamsureIcouldgettwoorthreedaysinMadrid.

InMadridIwantedtobuysomebooks,togototheFloridaHotelandgetaroomandtohaveahotbath,hethought.IwasgoingtosendLuistheporteroutforabottleofabsintheifhecouldlocateoneattheMantequerIasLeonesasoratanyoftheplacesofftheGranViaandIwasgoingtolieinbedandreadafterthebathanddrinkacoupleofabsinthesandthenIwasgoingtocallupGaylord’sandseeifIcouldcomeupthereandeat.

HedidnotwanttoeatattheGranViabecausethefoodwasnogoodreallyandyouhadtogetthereontimeorwhatevertherewasofitwouldbegone.Alsothereweretoomanynewspapermenthereheknewandhedidnotwanttohavetokeephismouthshut.HewantedtodrinktheabsinthesandtofeelliketalkingandthengouptoGaylord’sandeatwithKarkov,wheretheyhadgoodfoodandrealbeer,andfindoutwhatwasgoingoninthewar.

HehadnotlikedGaylord’s,thehotelinMadridtheRussianshadtakenoverwhenhefirstwenttherebecauseitseemedtooluxuriousandthefoodwastoogoodforabesiegedcityandthetalktoocynicalforawar.ButIcorruptedveryeasily,hethought.Whyshouldyounothaveasgoodfoodascouldbeorganizedwhenyoucamebackfromsomethinglikethis?Andthetalkthathehadthoughtofascynicismwhenhehadfirstheardithadturnedouttobemuchtootrue.ThiswillbesomethingtotellatGaylord’s,hethought,whenthisisover.Yes,whenthisisover.

CouldyoutakeMariatoGaylord’s?No.Youcouldn’t.ButyoucouldleaveherinthehotelandshecouldtakeahotbathandbetherewhenyoucamebackfromGaylord’s.Yes,youcoulddothatandafteryouhadtoldKarkovabouther,youcouldbringherlaterbecausetheywouldbecuriousaboutherandwanttoseeher.

Maybeyouwouldn’tgotoGaylord’satall.YoucouldeatearlyattheGranViaandhurrybacktotheFlorida.ButyouknewyouwouldgotoGaylord’sbecauseyouwantedtoseeallthatagain;youwantedtoeatthatfoodagainandyouwantedtoseeallthecomfortofitandtheluxuryofitafterthis.ThenyouwouldcomebacktotheFloridaandthereMariawouldbe.Sure,shewouldbethereafterthiswasover.Afterthiswasover.Yes,afterthiswasover.IfhedidthiswellhewouldrateamealatGaylord’s.

Gaylord’swastheplacewhereyoumetfamouspeasantandworkerSpanishcommanderswhohadsprungtoarmsfromthepeopleatthestartofthewarwithoutanypreviousmilitarytrainingandfoundthatmanyofthemspokeRussian.Thathadbeenthefirstbigdisillusiontohimafewmonthsbackandhehadstartedtobecynicaltohimselfaboutit.Butwhenherealizedhowithappeneditwasallright.They"were"peasantsandworkers.Theyhadbeenactiveinthe1934revolutionandhadtofleethecountrywhenitfailedandinRussiatheyhadsentthemtothemilitaryacademyandtotheLeninInstitutetheCominternmaintainedsotheywouldbereadytofightthenexttimeandhavethenecessarymilitaryeducationtocommand.

TheCominternhadeducatedthemthere.Inarevolutionyoucouldnotadmittooutsiderswhohelpedyounorthatanyoneknewmorethanhewassupposedtoknow.Hehadlearnedthat.Ifathingwasrightfundamentallythelyingwasnotsupposedtomatter.Therewasalotoflyingthough.Hedidnotcareforthelyingatfirst.Hehatedit.Thenlaterhehadcometolikeit.Itwaspartofbeinganinsiderbutitwasaverycorruptingbusiness.

ItwasatGaylord’sthatyoulearnedthatValentinGonzalez,calledElCampesinoorThePeasant,hadneverbeenapeasantbutwasanex-sergeantintheSpanishForeignLegionwhohaddesertedandfoughtwithAbdelKrim.Thatwasallright,too.Whyshouldn’thebe?YouhadtohavethesepeasantleadersquicklyinthissortofwarandarealpeasantleadermightbealittletoomuchlikePablo.Youcouldn’twaitfortherealPeasantLeadertoarriveandhemighthavetoomanypeasantcharacteristicswhenhedid.Soyouhadtomanufactureone.Atthat,fromwhathehadseenofCampesino,withhisblackbeard,histhicknegroidlips,andhisfeverish,staringeyes,hethoughthemightgivealmostasmuchtroubleasarealpeasantleader.Thelasttimehehadseenhimheseemedtohavegottentobelievehisownpublicityandthinkhewasapeasant.Hewasabrave,toughman;nobraverintheworld.ButGod,howhetalkedtoomuch.Andwhenhewasexcitedhewouldsayanythingnomatterwhattheconsequencesofhisindiscretion.Andthoseconsequenceshadbeenmanyalready.HewasawonderfulBrigadeCommanderthoughinasituationwhereitlookedasthougheverythingwaslost.Heneverknewwheneverythingwaslostandifitwas,hewouldfightoutofit.

AtGaylord’s,too,youmetthesimplestonemason,EnriqueListerfromGalicia,whonowcommandedadivisionandwhotalkedRussian,too.Andyoumetthecabinetworker,JuanModestofromAndalucIawhohadjustbeengivenanArmyCorps.HeneverlearnedhisRussianinPuertodeSantaMariaalthoughhemighthaveiftheyhadaBerlitzSchooltherethatthecabinetmakerswentto.HewasthemosttrustedoftheyoungsoldiersbytheRussiansbecausehewasatruepartyman,“ahundredpercent”theysaid,proudtousetheAmericanism.HewasmuchmoreintelligentthanListerorElCampesino.

Sure,Gaylord’swastheplaceyouneededtocompleteyoureducation.Itwasthereyoulearnedhowitwasallreallydoneinsteadofhowitwassupposedtobedone.Hehadonlystartedhiseducation,hethought.Hewonderedwhetherhewouldcontinuewithitlong.Gaylord’swasgoodandsoundandwhatheneeded.Atthestartwhenhehadstillbelievedallthenonsenseithadcomeasashocktohim.ButnowheknewenoughtoacceptthenecessityforallthedeceptionandwhathelearnedatGaylord’sonlystrengthenedhiminhisbeliefinthethingsthathedidholdtobetrue.Helikedtoknowhowitreallywas;nothowitwassupposedtobe.Therewasalwayslyinginawar.ButthetruthofLister,Modesto,andElCampesinowasmuchbetterthantheliesandlegends.Well,somedaytheywouldtellthetruthtoeveryoneandmeantimehewasgladtherewasaGaylord’sforhisownlearningofit.

Yes,thatwaswherehewouldgoinMadridafterhehadboughtthebooksandafterhehadlaininthehotbathandhadacoupleofdrinksandhadreadawhile.ButthatwasbeforeMariahadcomeintoallthisthathehadthatplan.Allright.Theywouldhavetworoomsandshecoulddowhatshelikedwhilehewentupthereandhe’dcomebackfromGaylord’stoher.Shehadwaitedupinthehillsallthistime.ShecouldwaitalittlewhileattheHotelFlorida.TheywouldhavethreedaysinMadrid.Threedayscouldbealongtime.He’dtakehertoseetheMarxBrothersattheOpera.Thathadbeenrunningforthreemonthsnowandwouldcertainlybegoodforthreemonthsmore.She’dliketheMarxBrothersattheOpera,hethought.She’dlikethatverymuch.

ItwasalongwayfromGaylord’stothiscavethough.No,thatwasnotthelongway.ThelongwaywasgoingtobefromthiscavetoGaylord’s.Kashkinhadtakenhimtherefirstandhehadnotlikedit.KashkinhadsaidheshouldmeetKarkovbecauseKarkovwantedtoknowAmericansandbecausehewasthegreatestloverofLopedeVegaintheworldandthought“FuenteOvejuna”wasthegreatestplayeverwritten.Maybeitwasatthat,buthe,RobertJordan,didnotthinkso.

HehadlikedKarkovbutnottheplace.Karkovwasthemostintelligentmanhehadevermet.Wearingblackridingboots,graybreeches,andagraytunic,withtinyhandsandfeet,puffilyfragileoffaceandbody,withaspittingwayoftalkingthroughhisbadteeth,helookedcomicwhenRobertJordanfirstsawhim.Buthehadmorebrainsandmoreinnerdignityandouterinsolenceandhumorthananymanthathehadeverknown.

Gaylord’sitselfhadseemedindecentlyluxuriousandcorrupt.Butwhyshouldn’ttherepresentativesofapowerthatgovernedasixthoftheworldhaveafewcomforts?Well,theyhadthemandRobertJordanhadatfirstbeenrepelledbythewholebusinessandthenhadaccepteditandenjoyedit.KashkinhadmadehimouttobeahellofafellowandKarkovhadatfirstbeeninsultinglypoliteandthen,whenRobertJordanhadnotplayedatbeingaherobuthadtoldastorythatwasreallyfunnyandobscenelydiscreditabletohimself,Karkovhadshiftedfromthepolitenesstoarelievedrudenessandthentoinsolenceandtheyhadbecomefriends.

Kashkinhadonlybeentoleratedthere.TherewassomethingwrongwithKashkinevidentlyandhewasworkingitoutinSpain.Theywouldnottellhimwhatitwasbutmaybetheywouldnowthathewasdead.Anyway,heandKarkovhadbecomefriendsandhehadbecomefriendstoowiththeincrediblythin,drawn,dark,loving,nervous,deprivedandunbitterwomanwithalean,neglectedbodyanddark,gray-streakedhaircutshortwhowasKarkov’swifeandwhoservedasaninterpreterwiththetankcorps.HewasafriendtooofKarkov’smistress,whohadcat-eyes,reddishgoldhair(sometimesmorered;sometimesmoregold,dependingonthecoiffeurs),alazysensualbody(madetofitwellagainstotherbodies),amouthmadetofitothermouths,andastupid,ambitiousandutterlyloyalmind.ThismistresslovedgossipandenjoyedaperiodicallycontrolledpromiscuitywhichseemedonlytoamuseKarkov.Karkovwassupposedtohaveanotherwifesomewherebesidesthetank-corpsone,maybetwomore,butnobodywasverysureaboutthat.RobertJordanlikedboththewifeheknewandthemistress.Hethoughthewouldprobablyliketheotherwife,too,ifheknewher,iftherewasone.Karkovhadgoodtasteinwomen.

ThereweresentrieswithbayonetsdownstairsoutsidetheportecochereatGaylord’sandtonightitwouldbethepleasantestandmostcomfortableplaceinallofbesiegedMadrid.Hewouldliketobetheretonightinsteadofhere.Thoughitwasallrighthere,nowtheyhadstoppedthatwheel.Andthesnowwasstoppingtoo.

HewouldliketoshowhisMariatoKarkovbuthecouldnottakeherthereunlessheaskedfirstandhewouldhavetoseehowhewasreceivedafterthistrip.GolzwouldbethereafterthisattackwasoverandifhehaddonewelltheywouldallknowitfromGolz.Golzwouldmakefunofhim,too,aboutMaria.Afterwhathe’dsaidtohimaboutnogirls.

HereachedovertothebowlinfrontofPabloanddippedupacupofwine.“Withyourpermission,”hesaid.

Pablonodded.Heisengagedinhismilitarystudies,Iimagine,RobertJordanthought.Notseekingthebubblereputationinthecannon’smouthbutseekingthesolutiontotheprobleminyonderbowl.Butyouknowthebastardmustbefairlyabletohaverunthisbandsuccessfullyforaslongashedid.LookingatPablohewonderedwhatsortofguerillaleaderhewouldhavebeenintheAmericanCivilWar.Therewerelotsofthem,hethought.Butweknowverylittleaboutthem.NottheQuantrills,northeMosbys,norhisowngrandfatheibutthelittleones,thebushwhackers.Andaboutthedrinking.DoyousupposeGrantreallywasadrunk?Hisgrandfatheralwaysclaimedhewas.Thathewasalwaysalittledrunkbyfouro’clockintheafternoonandthatbeforeVicksburgsometimesduringthesiegehewasverydrunkforacoupleofdays.Butgrandfatherclaimedthathefunctionedperfectlynormallynomatterhowmuchhedrankexceptthatsometimesitwasveryhardtowakehim.Butifyoucouldwakehimhewasnormal.

Therewasn’tanyGrant,noranyShermannoranyStonewallJacksononeithersidesofarinthiswar.No.NoranyJebStuarteither.NoranySheridan.ItwasoverrunwithMcClellansthough.ThefascistshadplentyofMcClellansandwehadatleastthreeofthem.

Hehadcertainlynotseenanymilitarygeniusesinthiswar.Notaone.Noranythingresemblingone.Kleber,Lucasz,andHanshaddoneafinejoboftheirshareinthedefenseofMadridwiththeInternationalBrigadesandthentheoldbald,spectacled,conceited,stupid-as-an-owl,unintelligent-in-conversation,brave-and-as-dumb-asa-bull,propaganda-build-updefenderofMadrid,Miaja,hadbeensojealousofthepublicityKleberreceivedthathehadforcedtheRussianstorelieveKieberofhiscommandandsendhimtoValencia.Kieberwasagoodsoldier;butlimitedandhedidtalktoomuchforthejobhehad.Golzwasagoodgeneralandafinesoldierbuttheyalwayskepthiminasubordinatepositionandnevergavehimafreehand.ThisattackwasgoingtobehisbiggestshowsofarandRobertJordandidnotliketoomuchwhathehadheardabouttheattack.ThentherewasGall,theHungarian,whooughttobeshotifyoucouldbelievehalfyouheardatGaylord’s.MakeitifyoucanbelievetenpercentofwhatyouhearatGaylord’s,RobertJordanthought.

HewishedthathehadseenthefightingontheplateaubeyondGuadalajarawhentheybeattheItalians.ButhehadbeendowninEstremadurathen.HanshadtoldhimaboutitonenightinGaylord’stwoweeksagoandmadehimseeitall.TherewasonemomentwhenitwasreallylostwhentheItalianshadbrokenthelinenearTrijuequeandtheTwelfthBrigadewouldhavebeencutoffiftheTorija-Brihuegaroadhadbeencut.“ButknowingtheywereItalians,”Hanshadsaid,“weattemptedtomanoeuvrewhichwouldhavebeenunjustifiableagainstothertroops.Anditwassuccessful.”

Hanshadshownitalltohimonhismapsofthebattle.Hanscarriedthemaroundwithhiminhismapcaseallthetimeandstillseemedmarvelledandhappyatthemiracleofit.Hanswasafinesoldierandagoodcompanion.Lister’sandModesto’sandCampesino’sSpanishtroopshadallfoughtwellinthatbattle,Hanshadtoldhim,andthatwastobecreditedtotheirleadersandtothedisciplinetheyenforced.ButListerandCampesinoandModestohadbeentoldmanyofthemovestheyshouldmakebytheirRussianmilitaryadvisers.Theywerelikestudentsflyingamachinewithdualcontrolswhichthepilotcouldtakeoverwhenevertheymadeamistake.Well,thisyearwouldshowhowmuchandhowwelltheylearned.Afterawhiletherewouldnotbedualcontrolsandthenwewouldseehowwelltheyhandleddivisionsandarmycorpsalone.

TheywereCommunistsandtheyweredisciplinarians.Thedisciplinethattheywouldenforcewouldmakegoodtroops.Listerwasmurderousindiscipline.HewasatruefanaticandhehadthecompleteSpanishlackofrespectforlife.InafewarmiessincetheTartar’sfirstinvasionoftheWestweremenexecutedsummarilyforaslittlereasonastheywereunderhiscommand.Butheknewhowtoforgeadivisionintoafightingunit.Itisonethingtoholdpositions.Itisanothertoattackpositionsandtakethemanditissomethingverydifferenttomanoeuvreanarmyinthefield,RobertJordanthoughtashesatthereatthetable.FromwhatIhaveseenofhim,IwonderhowListerwillbeatthatoncethedualcontrolsaregone?Butmaybetheywon’tgo,hethought.Iwonderiftheywillgo?Orwhethertheywillstrengthen?IwonderwhattheRussianstandisonthewholebusiness?Gaylord’sistheplace,hethought.ThereismuchthatIneedtoknownowthatIcanlearnonlyatGaylord’s.

AtonetimehehadthoughtGaylord’shadbeenbadforhim.Itwastheoppositeofthepuritanical,religiouscommunismofVelazquez63,theMadridpalacethathadbeenturnedintotheInternationalBrigadeheadquartersinthecapital.AtVelazquez63itwaslikebeingamemberofareligiousorder——andGaylord’swasalongwayawayfromthefeelingyouhadattheheadquartersoftheFifthRegimentbeforeithadbeenbrokenupintothebrigadesofthenewarmy.

Ateitherofthoseplacesyoufeltthatyouweretakingpartinacrusade.Thatwastheonlywordforitalthoughitwasawordthathadbeensowornandabusedthatitnolongergaveitstruemeaning.Youfelt,inspiteofallbureaucracyandinefficiencyandpartystrife,somethingthatwaslikethefeelingyouexpectedtohaveanddidnothavewhenyoumadeyourfirstcommunion.ItwasafeelingofconsecrationtoadutytowardalloftheoppressedoftheworldwhichwouldbeasdifficultandembarrassingtospeakaboutasreligiousexperienceandyetitwasauthenticasthefeelingyouhadwhenyouheardBach,orstoodinChartresCathedralortheCathedralatLeonandsawthelightcomingthroughthegreatwindows;orwhenyousawMantegnaandGrecoandBrueghelinthePrado.Itgaveyouapartinsomethingthatyoucouldbelieveinwhollyandcompletelyandinwhichyoufeltanabsolutebrotherhoodwiththeotherswhowereengagedinit.Itwassomethingthatyouhadneverknownbeforebutthatyouhadexperiencednowandyougavesuchimportancetoitandthereasonsforitthatyourowndeathseemedofcompleteunimportance;onlyathingtobeavoidedbecauseitwouldinterferewiththeperformanceofyourduty.Butthebestthingwasthattherewassomethingyoucoulddoaboutthisfeelingandthisnecessitytoo.Youcouldfight.

Soyoufought,hethought.Andinthefightingsoontherewasnopurityoffeelingforthosewhosurvivedthefightingandweregoodatit.Notafterthefirstsixmonths.

Thedefenseofapositionorofacityisapartofwarinwhichyoucanfeelthatfirstsortoffeeling.ThefightingintheSierrashadbeenthatway.Theyhadfoughttherewiththetruecomradeshipoftherevolution.Uptherewhentherehadbeenthefirstnecessityfortheenforcementofdisciplinehehadapprovedandunderstoodit.Undertheshellingmenhadbeencowardsandhadrun.Hehadseenthemshotandlefttoswellbesidetheroad,nobodybotheringtodomorethanstripthemoftheircartridgesandtheirvaluables.Takingtheircartridges,theirbootsandtheirleathercoatswasright.Takingthevaluableswasonlyrealistic.Itonlykepttheanarchistsfromgettingthem.

Ithadseemedjustandrightandnecessarythatthemenwhoranwereshot.Therewasnothingwrongaboutit.Theirrunningwasaselfishness.Thefascistshadattackedandwehadstoppedthemonthatslopeinthegrayrocks,thescrubpinesandthegorseoftheGuadarramahillsides.Wehadheldalongtheroadunderthebombingfromtheplanesandtheshellingwhentheybroughttheirartilleryupandthosewhowereleftattheendofthatdayhadcounterattackedanddriventhemback.Later,whentheyhadtriedtocomedownontheleft,siftingdownbetweentherocksandthroughthetrees,wehadheldoutintheSanitariumfiringfromthewindowsandtheroofalthoughtheyhadpasseditonbothsides,andwelivedthroughknowingwhatitwastobesurroundeduntilthecounterattackhadclearedthembackbehindtheroadagain.

Inallthat,inthefearthatdriesyourmouthandyourthroat,inthesmashedplasterdustandthesuddenpanicofawallfalling,collapsingintheflashandroarofashellburst,clearingthegun,draggingthoseawaywhohadbeenservingit,lyingfacedownwardandcoveredwithrubble,yourheadbehindtheshieldworkingonastoppage,gettingthebrokencaseout,straighteningthebeltagain,younowlyingstraightbehindtheshield,thegunsearchingtheroadsideagain;youdidthethingtherewastodoandknewthatyouwereright.Youlearnedthedry-mouthed,fearpurged,purgingecstasyofbattleandyoufoughtthatsummerandthatfallforallthepoorintheworld,againstalltyranny,forallthethingsthatyoubelievedandforthenewworldyouhadbeeneducatedinto.Youlearnedthatfall,hethought,howtoendureandhowtoignoresufferinginthelongtimeofcoldandwetness,ofmudandofdiggingandfortifying.Andthefeelingofthesummerandthefallwasburieddeepundertiredness,sleepiness,andnervousnessanddiscomfort.Butitwasstillthereandallthatyouwentthroughonlyservedtovalidateit.Itwasinthosedays,hethought,thatyouhadadeepandsoundandselflesspride——thatwouldhavemadeyouabloodyboreatGaylord’s,hethoughtsuddenly.

No,youwouldnothavebeensogoodatGaylord’sthen,hethought.Youweretoona?ve.Youwereinasortofstateofgrace.ButGaylord’smightnothavebeenthewayitwasnowatthattime,either.No,asamatteroffact,itwasnotthatway,hetoldhimself.Itwasnotthatwayatall.TherewasnotanyGaylord’sthen.

Karkovhadtoldhimaboutthosedays.AtthattimewhatRussianstherewerehadlivedatthePalaceHotel.RobertJordanhadknownnoneofthemthen.Thatwasbeforethefirstpartizangroupshadbeenformed;beforehehadmetKashkinoranyoftheothers.KashkinhadbeeninthenorthatIrun,atSanSebastianandintheabortivefightingtowardVitoria.HehadnotarrivedinMadriduntilJanuaryandwhileRobertJordanhadfoughtatCarabanchelandatUserainthosethreedayswhentheystoppedtherightwingofthefascistattackonMadridanddrovetheMoorsandtheTerciobackfromhousetohousetoclearthatbatteredsuburbontheedgeofthegray,sunbakedplateauandestablishalineofdefensealongtheheightsthatwouldprotectthatcornerofthecity,KarkovhadbeeninMadrid.

Karkovwasnotcynicalaboutthosetimeseitherwhenhetalked.Thosewerethedaystheyallsharedwheneverythinglookedlostandeachmanretainednow,betterthananycitationordecoration,theknowledgeofjusthowhewouldactwheneverythinglookedlost.Thegovernmenthadabandonedthecity,takingallthemotorcarsfromtheministryofwarintheirflightandoldMiajahadtoridedowntoinspecthisdefensivepositionsonabicycle.RobertJordandidnotbelievethatone.HecouldnotseeMiajaonabicycleeveninhismostpatrioticimagination,butKarkovsaiditwastrue.ButthenhehadwrittenitforRussianpaperssoheprobablywantedtobelieveitwastrueafterwritingit.

ButtherewasanotherstorythatKarkovhadnotwritten.HehadthreewoundedRussiansinthePalaceHotelforwhomhewasresponsible.Theyweretwotankdriversandaflyerwhoweretoobadtobemoved,andsince,atthattime,itwasofthegreatestimportancethatthereshouldbenoevidenceofanyRussianinterventiontojustifyanopeninterventionbythefascists,itwasKarkov’sresponsibilitythatthesewoundedshouldnotfallintothehandsofthefascistsincasethecityshouldbeabandoned.

Intheeventthecityshouldbeabandoned,KarkovwastopoisonthemtodestroyallevidenceoftheiridentitybeforeleavingthePalaceHotel.Noonecouldprovefromthebodiesofthreewoundedmen,onewiththreebulletwoundsinhisabdomen,onewithhisjawshotawayandhisvocalcordsexposed,onewithhisfemursmashedtobitsbyabulletandhishandsandfacesobadlyburnedthathisfacewasjustaneyelashless,eyebrowless,hairlessblisterthattheywereRussians.NoonecouldtellfromthebodiesofthesewoundedmenhewouldleaveinbedsatthePalace,thattheywereRussians.NothingprovedanakeddeadmanwasaRussian.Yournationalityandyourpoliticsdidnotshowwhenyouweredead.

RobertJordanhadaskedKarkovhowhefeltaboutthenecessityofperformingthisactandKarkovhadsaidthathehadnotlookedforwardtoit.“Howwereyougoingtodoit?”RobertJordanhadaskedhimandhadadded,“Youknowitisn’tsosimplejustsuddenlytopoisonpeople.”AndKarkovhadsaid,“Oh,yes,itiswhenyoucarryitalwaysforyourownuse.”ThenhehadopenedhiscigarettecaseandshowedRobertJordanwhathecarriedinonesideofit.

“Butthefirstthinganybodywoulddoiftheytookyouprisonerwouldbetotakeyourcigarettecase,”RobertJordanhadobjected.“Theywouldhaveyourhandsup.”

“ButIhavealittlemorehere,”Karkovhadgrinnedandshowedthelapelofhisjacket.“Yousimplyputthelapelinyourmouthlikethisandbiteitandswallow.”

“That’smuchbetter,”RobertJordanhadsaid.“Tellme,doesitsmelllikebitteralmondsthewayitalwaysdoesindetectivestories?”

“Idon’tknow,”Karkovsaiddelightedly.“Ihaveneversmelledit.Shouldwebreakalittletubeandsmellit?”

“Betterkeepit.”

“Yes,”Karkovsaidandputthecigarettecaseaway.“Iamnotadefeatist,youunderstand,butitisalwayspossiblethatsuchserioustimesmightcomeagainandyoucannotgetthisanywhere.HaveyouseenthecommuniquéfromtheCordobafront?Itisverybeautiful.Itisnowmyfavoriteamongallthecommuniqués.”

“Whatdiditsay?”RobertJordanhadcometoMadridfromtheCordobanFrontandhehadthesuddenstiffeningthatcomeswhensomeonejokesaboutathingwhichyouyourselfmayjokeaboutbutwhichtheymaynot.“Tellme?”

“Nuestragloriosatropasigaavanzandosinperderniunasolapalmadeterreno,”KarkovsaidinhisstrangeSpanish.

“Itdidn’treallysaythat,”RobertJordandoubted.

“Ourglorioustroopscontinuetoadvancewithoutlosingafootofground,”KarkovrepeatedinEnglish.“Itisinthecommuniqu?Iwillfinditforyou.”

YoucouldrememberthemenyouknewwhodiedinthefightingaroundPozoblanco;butitwasajokeatGaylord’s.

SothatwasthewayitwasatGaylord’snow.StilltherehadnotalwaysbeenGaylord’sandifthesituationwasnowonewhichproducedsuchathingasGaylord’soutofthesurvivorsoftheearlydays,hewasgladtoseeGaylord’sandtoknowaboutit.YouarealongwayfromhowyoufeltintheSierraandatCarabanchelandatUsera,hethought.Youcorruptveryeasily,hethought.Butwasitcorruptionorwasitmerelythatyoulostthenaivetythatyoustartedwith?Woulditnotbethesameinanything?Whoelsekeptthatfirstchastityofmindabouttheirworkthatyoungdoctors,youngpriests,andyoungsoldiersusuallystartedwith?Thepriestscertainlykeptit,ortheygotout.IsupposetheNaziskeepit,hethought,andtheCommunistswhohaveasevereenoughselfdiscipline.ButlookatKarkov.

HenevertiredofconsideringthecaseofKarkov.ThelasttimehehadbeenatGaylord’sKarkovhadbeenwonderfulaboutacertainBritisheconomistwhohadspentmuchtimeinSpain.RobertJordanhadreadthisman’swritingforyearsandhehadalwaysrespectedhimwithoutknowinganythingabouthim.HehadnotcaredverymuchforwhatthismanhadwrittenaboutSpain.Itwastooclearandsimpleandtooopenandshutandmanyofthestatisticsheknewwerefakedbywishfulthinking.Buthethoughtyourarelycaredforjournalismwrittenaboutacountryyoureallyknewaboutandherespectedthemanforhisintentions.

Thenhehadseentheman,finally,ontheafternoonwhentheyhadattackedatCarabanchel.Theyweresittingintheleeofthebullringandtherewasshootingdownthetwostreetsandeveryonewasnervouswaitingfortheattack.AtankhadbeenpromisedandithadnotcomeupandMonterowassittingwithhisheadinhishandsaying,“Thetankhasnotcome.Thetankhasnotcome.”

ItwasacolddayandtheyellowdustwasblowingdownthestreetandMonterohadbeenhitintheleftarmandthearmwasstiffening.“Wehavetohaveatank,”hesaid.“Wemustwaitforthetank,butwecannotwait.”Hiswoundwasmakinghimsoundpetulant.

RobertJordanhadgonebacktolookforthetankwhichMonterosaidhethoughtmighthavestoppedbehindtheapartmentbuildingonthecornerofthetram-line.Itwasthereallright.Butitwasnotatank.Spaniardscalledanythingatankinthosedays.Itwasanoldarmoredcar.Thedriverdidnotwanttoleavetheangleoftheapartmenthouseandbringituptothebullring.Hewasstandingbehinditwithhisarmsfoldedagainstthemetalofthecarandhisheadintheleather-paddedhelmetonhisarms.HeshookhisheadwhenRobertJordanspoketohimandkeptitpressedagainsthisarms.ThenheturnedhisheadwithoutlookingatRobertJordan.

“Ihavenoorderstogothere,”hesaidsullenly.

RobertJordanhadtakenhispistoloutoftheholsterandpushedthemuzzleofthepistolagainsttheleathercoatofthearmoredcardriver.

“Hereareyourorders,”hehadtoldhim.Themanshookhisheadwiththebigpadded-leatherhelmetlikeafootballplayer’sonitandsaid,“Thereisnoammunitionforthemachinegun.”

“Wehaveammunitionatthebullring,”RobertJordanhadtoldhim.“Comeon,let’sgo.Wewillfillthebeltsthere.Comeon.”

“Thereisnoonetoworkthegun,”thedriversaid.

“Whereishe?Whereisyourmate?”

“Dead,”thedriverhadsaid.“Insidethere.”

“Gethimout,”RobertJordanhadsaid.“Gethimoutofthere.”

“Idonotliketotouchhim,”thedriverhadsaid.“AndheisbentoverbetweenthegunandthewheelandIcannotgetpasthim.”

“Comeon,”RobertJordanhadsaid.“Wewillgethimouttogether.”

Hehadbangedhisheadasheclimbedintothearmoredcarandithadmadeasmallcutoverhiseyebrowthatbleddownontohisface.Thedeadmanwasheavyandsostiffyoucouldnotbendhimandhehadtohammerathisheadtogetitoutfromwhereithadwedged,facedown,betweenhisseatandthewheel.Finallyhegotitupbypushingwithhiskneeupunderthedeadman’sheadandthen,pullingbackontheman’swaistnowthattheheadwasloose,hepulledthedeadmanouthimselftowardthedoor.

“Givemeahandwithhim,”hehadsaidtothedriver.

“Idonotwanttotouchhim,”thedriverhadsaidandRobertJordanhadseenthathewascrying.Thetearsranstraightdownoneachsideofhisnoseonthepowdergrimedslopeofhisfaceandhisnosewasrunning,too.

Standingbesidethedoorhehadswungthedeadmanoutandthedeadmanfellontothesidewalkbesidethetram-linestillinthathunched-over,doubled-upposition.Helaythere,hisfacewaxygrayagainstthecementsidewalk,hishandsbentunderhimastheyhadbeeninthecar.

“Getin,Goddamnit,”RobertJordanhadsaid,motioningnowwithhispistoltothedriver.“Getintherenow.”

Justthenhehadseenthismanwhohadcomeoutfromtheleeoftheapartmenthousebuilding.Hehadonalongovercoatandhewasbareheadedandhishairwasgray,hischeekbonesbroadandhiseyesweredeepandsetclosetogether.HehadapackageofChesterfieldsinhishandandhetookoneoutandhandedittowardRobertJordanwhowaspushingthedriverintothearmoredcarwithhispistol.

“Justaminute,Comrade,”hehadsaidtoRobertJordaninSpanish.“Canyouexplaintomesomethingaboutthefighting?”

RobertJordantookthecigaretteandputitinthebreastpocketofhisbluemechanicjumper.Hehadrecognizedthiscomradefromhispictures.ItwastheBritisheconomist.

“Gomuckyourself,”hesaidinEnglishandthen,inSpanish,tothearmoredcardriver.“Downthere.Thebullring.See?”Andhehadpulledtheheavysidedoortowithaslamandlockeditandtheyhadstarteddownthatlongslopeinthecarandthebulletshadcommencedtohitagainstthecar,soundinglikepebblestossedagainstanironboiler.Thenwhenthemachinegunopenedonthem,theywerelikesharphammertappings.TheyhadpulledupbehindtheshelterofthebullringwiththelastOctoberpostersstillpastedupbesidetheticketwindowandtheammunitionboxesknockedopenandthecomradeswiththerifles,thegrenadesontheirbeltsandintheirpockets,waitingthereintheleeandMonterohadsaid,“Good.Hereisthetank.Nowwecanattack.”

Laterthatnightwhentheyhadthelasthousesonthehill,helaycomfortablebehindabrickwallwithaholeknockedinthebricksforaloopholeandlookedacrossthebeautifullevelfieldoffiretheyhadbetweenthemandtheridgethefascistshadretiredtoandthought,withacomfortthatwasalmostvoluptuous,oftheriseofthehillwiththesmashedvillathatprotectedtheleftflank.Hehadlaininapileofstrawinhissweat-soakedclothesandwoundablanketaroundhimwhilehedried.Lyingtherehethoughtoftheeconomistandlaughed,andthenfeltsorryhehadbeenrude.Butatthemoment,whenthemanhadhandedhimthecigarette,pushingitoutalmostlikeofferingatipforinformation,thecombatant’shatredforthenoncombatanthadbeentoomuchforhim.

NowherememberedGaylord’sandKarkovspeakingofthissameman.“Soitwasthereyoumethim,”Karkovhadsaid.“IdidnotgetfartherthanthePuentedeToledomyselfonthatday.Hewasveryfartowardthefront.Thatwasthelastdayofhisbravery,Ibelieve.HeleftMadridthenextday.Toledowaswherehewasthebravest,Ibelieve.AtToledohewasenormous.HewasoneofthearchitectsofourcaptureoftheAlcazar.YoushouldhaveseenhimatToledo.Ibelieveitwaslargelythroughhiseffortsandhisadvicethatoursiegewassuccessful.Thatwasthesilliestpartofthewar.Itreachedanultimateinsillinessbuttellme,whatisthoughtofhiminAmerica?”

“InAmerica,”RobertJordansaid,“heissupposedtobeveryclosetoMoscow.”

“Heisnot,”saidKarkov.“Buthehasawonderfulfaceandhisfaceandhismannersareverysuccessful.NowwithmyfaceIcoulddonothing.WhatlittleIhaveaccomplishedwasalldoneinspiteofmyfacewhichdoesnoteitherinspirepeoplenormovethemtolovemeandtotrustme.ButthismanMitchellhasafacehemakeshisfortunewith.Itisthefaceofaconspirator.Allwhohavereadofconspiratorsinbookstrusthiminstantly.Alsohehasthetruemanneroftheconspirator.Anyoneseeinghimenteraroomknowsthatheisinstantlyinthepresenceofaconspiratorofthefirstmark.AllofyourrichcompatriotswhowishsentimentallytoaidtheSovietUnionastheybelieveortoinsurethemselvesalittleagainstanyeventualsuccessofthepartyseeinstantlyinthefaceofthisman,andinhismannerthathecanbenoneotherthanatrustedagentoftheComintern.”

“HashenoconnectionsinMoscow?”

“None.Listen,ComradeJordan.Doyouknowaboutthetwokindsoffools?”

“Plainanddamn?”

“No.ThetwokindsoffoolswehaveinRussia,”Karkovgrinnedandbegan.“Firstthereisthewinterfool.Thewinterfoolcomestothedoorofyourhouseandheknocksloudly.Yougotothedoorandyouseehimthereandyouhaveneverseenhimbefore.Heisanimpressivesight.Heisaverybigmanandhehasonhighbootsandafurcoatandafurhatandheisallcoveredwithsnow.Firsthestampshisbootsandsnowfallsfromthem.Thenhetakesoffhisfurcoatandshakesitandmoresnowfalls.Thenhetakesoffhisfurhatandknocksitagainstthedoor.Moresnowfallsfromhisfurhat.Thenhestampshisbootsagainandadvancesintotheroom.Thenyoulookathimandyouseeheisafool.Thatisthewinterfool.

“Nowinthesummeryouseeafoolgoingdownthestreetandheiswavinghisarmsandjerkinghisheadfromsidetosideandeverybodyfromtwohundredyardsawaycantellheisafool.Thatisasummerfool.Thiseconomistisawinterfool.”

“Butwhydopeopletrusthimhere?”RobertJordanasked.

“Hisface,”Karkovsaid.“Hisbeautifulgueuledeconspirateur.Andhisinvaluabletrickofjusthavingcomefromsomewhereelsewhereheisverytrustedandimportant.Ofcourse,”hesmiled,“hemusttravelverymuchtokeepthetrickworking.YouknowtheSpanishareverystrange,”Karkovwenton.“Thisgovernmenthashadmuchmoney.Muchgold.Theywillgivenothingtotheirfriends.Youareafriend.Allright.Youwilldoitfornothingandshouldnotberewarded.Buttopeoplerepresentinganimportantfirmoracountrywhichisnotfriendlybutmustbeinfluenced——tosuchpeopletheygivemuch.Itisveryinterestingwhenyoufollowitclosely.”

“Idonotlikeit.AlsothatmoneybelongstotheSpanishworkers.”

“Youarenotsupposedtolikethings.Onlytounderstand,”Karkovhadtoldhim.“IteachyoualittleeachtimeIseeyouandeventuallyyouwillacquireaneducation.Itwouldbeveryinterestingforaprofessortobeeducated.”

“Idon’tknowwhetherI’llbeabletobeaprofessorwhenIgetback.Theywillprobablyrunmeoutasared.”

“Well,perhapsyouwillbeabletocometotheSovietUnionandcontinueyourstudiesthere.Thatmightbethebestthingforyoutodo.”

“ButSpanishismyfield.”

“TherearemanycountrieswhereSpanishisspoken,”Karkovhadsaid.“TheycannotallbeasdifficulttodoanythingwithasSpainis.Thenyoumustrememberthatyouhavenotbeenaprofessornowforalmostninemonths.Inninemonthsyoumayhavelearnedanewtrade.Howmuchdialecticshaveyouread?”

“IhavereadtheHandbookofMarxismthatEmilBurnsedited.Thatisall.”

“Ifyouhavereaditallthatisquitealittle.Therearefifteenhundredpagesandyoucouldspendsometimeoneachpage.Buttherearesomeotherthingsyoushouldread.”

“Thereisnotimetoreadnow.”

“Iknow,”Karkovhadsaid.“Imeaneventually.Therearemanythingstoreadwhichwillmakeyouunderstandsomeofthesethingsthathappen.Butoutofthiswillcomeabookwhichisverynecessary;whichwillexplainmanythingswhichitisnecessarytoknow.PerhapsIwillwriteit.Ihopethatitwillbemewhowillwriteit.”

“Idon’tknowwhocouldwriteitbetter.”

“Donotflatter,”Karkovhadsaid.“Iamajournalist.ButlikealljournalistsIwishtowriteliterature.Justnow,IamverybusyonastudyofCalvoSotelo.Hewasaverygoodfascist;atrueSpanishfascist.Francoandtheseotherpeoplearenot.IhavebeenstudyingallofSotelo’swritingandspeeches.Hewasveryintelligentanditwasveryintelligentthathewaskilled.”

“Ithoughtthatyoudidnotbelieveinpoliticalassassination.”

“Itispractisedveryextensively,”Karkovsaid.“Very,veryextensively.”

“But—”

“Wedonotbelieveinactsofterrorismbyindividuals,”Karkovhadsmiled.“Notofcoursebycriminalterroristandcounterrevolutionaryorganizations.WedetestwithhorrortheduplicityandvillainyofthemurderoushyenasofBukharinitewreckersandsuchdregsofhumanityasZinoviev,Kamenev,Rykovandtheirhenchmen.Wehateandloathetheseveritablefiends,”hesmiledagain.“ButIstillbelievethatpoliticalassassinationcanbesaidtobepractisedveryextensively.”

“Youmean—”

“Imeannothing.Butcertainlyweexecuteanddestroysuchveritablefiendsanddregsofhumanityandthetreacherousdogsofgeneralsandtherevoltingspectacleofadmiralsunfaithfultotheirtrust.Thesearedestroyed.Theyarenotassassinated.Youseethedifference?”

“Isee,”RobertJordanhadsaid.

“AndbecauseImakejokessometime:andyouknowhowdangerousitistomakejokeseveninjoke?Good.BecauseImakejokes,donotthinkthattheSpanishpeoplewillnotlivetoregretthattheyhavenotshotcertaingeneralsthatevennowholdcommands.Idonotliketheshootings,youunderstand.”

“Idon’tmindthem,”RobertJordansaid.“IdonotlikethembutIdonotmindthemanymore.”

“Iknowthat,”Karkovhadsaid.“Ihavebeentoldthat.”

“Isitimportant?”RobertJordansaid.“Iwasonlytryingtobetruthfulaboutit.”

“Itisregretful,”Karkovhadsaid.“Butitisoneofthethingsthatmakespeoplebetreatedasreliablewhowouldordinarilyhavetospendmuchmoretimebeforeattainingthatcategory.”

“AmIsupposedtobereliable?”

“Inyourworkyouaresupposedtobeveryreliable.Imusttalktoyousometimetoseehowyouareinyourmind.Itisregrettablethatweneverspeakseriously.”

“Mymindisinsuspensionuntilwewinthewar,”RobertJordanhadsaid.

“Thenperhapsyouwillnotneeditforalongtime.Butyoushouldbecarefultoexerciseitalittle.”

“IreadMundoObrero,”RobertJordanhadtoldhimandKarkovhadsaid,“Allright.Good.Icantakeajoketoo.ButthereareveryintelligentthingsinMundoObrero.Theonlyintelligentthingswrittenonthiswar.”

“Yes,”RobertJordanhadsaid.“Iagreewithyou.Buttogetafullpictureofwhatishappeningyoucannotreadonlythepartyorgan.”

“No,”Karkovhadsaid.“Butyouwillnotfindanysuchpictureifyoureadtwentypapersandthen,ifyouhadit,Idonotknowwhatyouwoulddowithit.IhavesuchapicturealmostconstantlyandwhatIdoistrytoforgetit.”

“Youthinkitisthatbad?”

“Itisbetternowthanitwas.Wearegettingridofsomeoftheworst.Butitisveryrotten.Wearebuildingahugearmynowandsomeoftheelements,thoseofModesto,ofElCampesino,ofListerandofDurán,arereliable.Theyaremorethanreliable.Theyaremagnificent.Youwillseethat.AlsowestillhavetheBrigadesalthoughtheirroleischanging.Butanarmythatismadeupofgoodandbadelementscannotwinawar.Allmustbebroughttoacertainlevelofpoliticaldevelopment;allmustknowwhytheyarefighting,anditsimportance.Allmustbelieveinthefighttheyaretomakeandallmustacceptdiscipline.Wearemakingahugeconscriptarmywithoutthetimetoimplantthedisciplinethataconscriptarmymusthave,tobehaveproperlyunderfire.Wecallitapeople’sarmybutitwillnothavetheassetsofatruepeople’sarmyanditwillnothavetheirondisciplinethataconscriptarmyneeds.Youwillsee.Itisaverydangerousprocedure.”

“Youarenotverycheerfultoday.”

“No,”Karkovhadsaid.“IhavejustcomebackfromValenciawhereIhaveseenmanypeople.NoonecomesbackverycheerfulfromValencia.InMadridyoufeelgoodandcleanandwithnopossibilityofanythingbutwinning.Valenciaissomethingelse.ThecowardswhofledfromMadridstillgovernthere.Theyhavesettledhappilyintotheslothandbureaucracyofgoverning.TheyhaveonlycontemptforthoseofMadrid.Theirobsessionnowistheweakeningofthecommissariatforwar.AndBarcelona.YoushouldseeBarcelona.”

“Howisit?”

“Itisallstillcomicopera.Firstitwastheparadiseofthecrackpotsandtheromanticrevolutionists.Nowitistheparadiseofthefakesoldier.Thesoldierswholiketowearuniforms,wholiketostrutandswaggerandwearred-and-blackscarves.Wholikeeverythingaboutwarexcepttofight.ValenciamakesyousickandBarcelonamakesyoulaugh.”

“WhatabouttheP.O.U.M.putsch?”

“TheP.O.U.M.wasneverserious.Itwasaheresyofcrackpotsandwildmenanditwasreallyjustaninfantilism.Thereweresomehonestmisguidedpeople.Therewasonefairlygoodbrainandtherewasalittlefascistmoney.Notmuch.ThepoorP.O.U.M.Theywereverysillypeople.”

“Butweremanykilledintheputsch?”

“Notsomanyaswereshotafterwardsorwillbeshot.TheP.O.U.M.Itislikethename.Notserious.TheyshouldhavecalledittheM.U.M.P.S.ortheM.E.A.S.L.E.S.Butno.TheMeaslesismuchmoredangerous.Itcanaffectbothsightandhearing.Buttheymadeoneplotyouknowtokillme,tokillWalter,tokillModestoandtokillPrieto.Youseehowbadlymixeduptheywere?Wearenotatallalike.PoorP.O.U.M.Theyneverdidkillanybody.Notatthefrontnoranywhereelse.AfewinBarcelona,yes.”

“Wereyouthere?”

“Yes.IhavesentacabledescribingthewickednessofthatinfamousorganizationofTrotskyitemurderersandtheirfascistmachinationsallbeneathcontemptbut,betweenus,itisnotveryserious,theP.O.U.M.Ninwastheironlyman.Wehadhimbutheescapedfromourhands.”

“Whereishenow?”

“InParis.WesayheisinParis.Hewasaverypleasantfellowbutwithbadpoliticalaberrations.”

“Buttheywereincommunicationwiththefascists,weren’tthey?”

“Whoisnot?”

“Wearenot.”

“Whoknows?Ihopewearenot.Yougooftenbehindtheirlines,”hegrinned.“ButthebrotherofoneofthesecretariesoftheRepublicanEmbassyatParismadeatriptoSt.JeandeLuzlastweektomeetpeoplefromBurgos.”

“Ilikeitbetteratthefront,”RobertJordanhadsaid.“Theclosertothefrontthebetterthepeople.”

“Howdoyoulikeitbehindthefascistlines?”

“Verymuch.Wehavefinepeoplethere.”

“Well,youseetheymusthavetheirfinepeoplebehindourlinesthesameway.Wefindthemandshootthemandtheyfindoursandshootthem.Whenyouareintheircountryyoumustalwaysthinkofhowmanypeopletheymustsendovertous.”

“Ihavethoughtaboutthem.”

“Well,”Karkovhadsaid.“Youhaveprobablyenoughtothinkaboutfortoday,sodrinkthatbeerthatisleftinthepitcherandrunalongnowbecauseIhavetogoupstairstoseepeople.Upstairspeople.Comeagaintoseemesoon.”

Yes,RobertJordanthought.YoulearnedalotatGaylord’s.Karkovhadreadtheoneandonlybookhehadpublished.Thebookhadnotbeenasuccess.Itwasonlytwohundredpageslongandhedoubtediftwothousandpeoplehadeverreadit.HehadputinitwhathehaddiscoveredaboutSpainintenyearsoftravellinginit,onfoot,inthird-classcarriages,bybus,onhorse-andmule-backandintrucks.HeknewtheBasquecountry,Navarre,Aragon,Galicia,thetwoCastilesandEstremadurawell.TherehadbeensuchgoodbookswrittenbyBorrowandFordandtherestthathehadbeenabletoaddverylittle.ButKarkovsaiditwasagoodbook.

“ItiswhyIbotherwithyou,”hesaid.“Ithinkyouwriteabsolutelytrulyandthatisveryrare.SoIwouldlikeyoutoknowsomethings.”

Allright.Hewouldwriteabookwhenhegotthroughwiththis.Butonlyaboutthethingsheknew,truly,andaboutwhatheknew.ButIwillhavetobeamuchbetterwriterthanIamnowtohandlethem,hethought.Thethingshehadcometoknowinthiswarwerenotsosimple.