"FORTUNATA AND JACINTA" "CHAPTER 2" " Come here." " No." "I'll come to you then." "No, stay there." "It shouldn't be so strange." "We slept together a lot as children." "You made me angry all the time." "You made me angry." "You used to hide my dolls." "And remember how you threw my soldiers in the fire?" "I had to defend myself." " Come here." " Turn off the light." " Why?" " Turn it off." "Come closer, you'll fall out of bed." "Your hands are cold." "Do you love me?" "Of course I do." "Juan." "What's wrong now?" "We have to talk." "Before we do anything." "What about?" "What were you doing all that time?" "When?" "When?" "You know what I'm talking about." "You didn't go home in months." "What a question." "Why would you be interested?" "I'm interested." "Please, don't make me talk about that now." "When?" "I promise I'll tell you, but now is not the time." "Work!" "Work!" "What you must do is work!" " Work!" " Me..." "I have to feed you and your niece." " Don't start on my niece." " Don't start?" "Why are you crying?" "Who is crying?" "You." " Don't even think of touching me." " I dragged you up from the gutter." " Me?" " Yes!" "I've fed you!" "I've fed you!" " But, who kept you?" " I'll give you one." "We're out of wine, I'll get some more." "Fortunata." " Yes, Aunt." " Bring more wine." " Where from?" " From my room, child." "You know." "I'm all she's got, poor thing." "And him, who says he's a picador." "But he let's us keep him." "I was as good a woman as your Fortunata." "Who would look at me now?" "Segunda Izquierdo... who has seen you... and sees you now." "Watch out for men, sunshine." "Watch out." "If you know how... you'll bring wealth into this house." "Careful." " You promised you'd tell me." " Yes, I know." "I thought about it, but I'm afraid you'll be angry." "I only want you to tell me so I can laugh." "Do you think I'll be angry?" "Your escapades amuse me." " Jacinta, what do you expect to hear?" " I don't know." "What you were doing." "Your mother was very upset, because you'd become such a dandy." "I met a woman." "How?" "I met her on some stairs, She was eating a raw egg." " A raw egg?" " Yes." "How disgusting." "What can I hope of a man who falls for someone who eats raw eggs?" "I went back the next day, and the next." "We began talking." " Who was she?" " An orphan." "She lived with her aunt who was a poulterer." "Later, I saw her on the street." " The aunt?" " No, her." "I could see she was happy to see me." "We exchanged a few words, I went to her house... and I became friends with her aunt." "She was very naive." "She spoke her feelings, both good and bad." "Villalonga met another girl from the same neighborhood." "He encouraged me." "I won't continue." "I want to forget everything I consider shameful... because when I remember it, I feel like..." "I don't deserve you." "I'm not angry, Juan." "I'm enjoying imagining the end of the story." "You made fine love to her and she basely allowed it." "You got her out of her house and into a love nest." " Leave it." " Why?" " You promised you'd marry her." " Shut up." "I'll shut up." "Besides, I can guess everything you could tell me." "You soon got bored, it's natural." "She left her aunt's and we ended up with an uncle of hers." "He was the greatest animal I've ever seen." " They both wanted to kill you, right?" " No." "No." "Those common people have no morals." "Dignity is unknown to them." "They are only moved by interest and passion." "I can't believe I enjoyed it." "I was blind." "She was like a wild animal, she couldn't read or right... but she had a good heart." "She had a good heart." "Prove you love me." "How?" "Come with me." "Hurrah!" "We're waiting for my niece." "She's going to bring us lunch... some nice sardines." " Great." " The ones on top are cooler." " Give me one." " A nice sardine." "That one." "So good..." "Although I... love you a lot." "Barricade revolutionary!" "Part time bullfighter!" "Louse!" "Take your hands off me, or I'll kill you." "Brother or not, I'll kill you." "I brought Fortunata up." "You think I'll let you take advantage of her?" "Let no blood be spilt." "Here's money!" "Move." "Move!" "Let me at it." "What are you laughing at?" "I'm imagining your mother's face... if you'd given her a daughter-in-law in a pinafore and headscarf." "What if I told you I loved her?" "That shortly after..." "I thought about simply keeping my word?" "Do you want me to slap you so hard you see stars?" "Marry that." "And you're telling me." "Me." "Forget it." "I think I became a different person." "As if I went mad for a few months, but it's over now." "You're right." "You weren't yourself." "I try to imagine you then and I can't." "It upsets me, I don't like to talk about it." "What's past is past." "Your eyes are like two stars." "Juan." "Juan." " What." " I asked you a question." "What?" "Nothing." "It's silly." "What was it?" "What was her name, what is her name?" "If you want, I'll tell you... but you must promise never to refer to her." " Do you understand?" " Yes." "Tell me." "Her name was Fortunata." " Fortunata." " Fortunata." "Satisfied now?" "I sent a message home." "I explained." "They'll understand we're still going to Andalusia." " I miss them already." " That's silly." "Thank you." "Careful, it's boiling." "A flower?" "Good evening." "Mr. Santa Cruz?" " Yes." " Excuse me." "And Englishman who lives at the inn has organized the party." "He was married today and you are invited for a drink." " Why not." " But, you mustn't drink any more." " Come on, just a toast." " No." "Why did you make me come up?" "You should go to bed." "You're right." "My greatest pleasure should be lying at your side." "Come on." "Forgive me." "Forgive me." "Bless my mother." "Bless her for marrying me to you." "I was blind, blinkered." "But my mistakes are clear to me tonight." "Juan, why don't you come to bed?" "Go to bed?" "When I've so many things to tell you?" "I haven't been honest with you." "But you are going to understand... when you hear me." "I'm ashamed to tell you certain things." "But I want to tell you now." "Calm down." "Calm down." "I want you to forgive me, I haven't been good." " I haven't been good." " Juan, you're tormenting me." "No, I'm repenting." "Why do you leave me?" "Listen to me, please." "She loved me, I'm sure." "She was convinced that I was not like the others... that I was gentlemanly, noble decent and generous." "The best of all men." "Noble, what sarcasm." "Decent, for wearing a frock coat." "Above all, the truth." "The poor are always below, that's the truth." "The rich do as they please." "That burden became heavier for me each day." "If I'd told her to jump in the fire, she'd have done it." "She loved me." "Villalonga and I.." "had fun, making those men fight." "I wanted to kick her out, to get rid of her... but she loved me." "She was sure she had the best of all men." "Later..." "I tried to see her, here and there." "Everywhere." "I looked for her." "They said she'd left but I kept on searching." "I don't know what became of her." "Come on, you've got him now." "Come on." "Separate them." "Finish him off!" "No." "Let's go." "You!" "Come on, run." "You!" "Fortunata is five months gone." "Did you know?" " Yes." " That's why you want to go." "Is that why?" "Go on, hit him." "Hard." "Hit him again." "Come on." "Help me." "I can't do it alone." "Fortunata had eyes like two stars." "Her hands were ruined from working so hard." "Her heart was full of innocence." "I tricked her, I lost her." "I told a thousand lies." "Common people are stupid." "They believe everything." "If they're spoken to... in fine words..." "I deserve to be despised." "I left her... after having my fun with her." "I left her on the streets." "I made... her destiny that of a dog." "Don't tell me anything else." "You should go to bed." "And try to sleep." "Tell me you'll forgive me." " Calm down." " Tell me you will." "Calm down." "Forget it all." "Calm down." " How is it going?" " I need more hot water." " How is my sister?" " Very well." "It won't be long." " Has she eaten?" " Nothing at all." "She must be tired." "Give her to me." " Everything is fine." "Have you eaten?" " No." "Come on, I'll get your dinner." "It's here." " Will you go in?" " No." "Here, then." "Hurry, hurry." "More water." " What is it?" " The first, a boy." "Another is coming." "It's a boy." "And there's another." "You have a new brother, and another on its way." " Congratulations." " What?" " Thank you." " Two boys." " Two boys?" " Two beautiful boys." " Wonderful, two boys." " Congratulations." " How is Candelaria?" " Very well." "What lovely boys." "What's wrong?" "Do you feel ill?" "What's wrong, then?" "Oh, my God." "There are so many of us..." "It's so difficult to care for them all." "You needn't worry about that." "You have me." "Do you hear?" "You have me." "Having these babies..." "There's nothing compares to it." "At daybreak... the twenty-three little mites I'd taken in... were in the cold, damp house on Zarzal Street... squashed in like rabbits." "They looked at me." "I had no money left and no food to give them." "That day... was Good Friday." "And the seven swords pierced my sorrowful heart." "That was when it occurred to me." "Why not?" "I'd beg." "Yes, beg." "It took courage, but I soon found it." "I put on my mantilla and went out onto the streets." "I'm not embarrassed anymore." "I've begged from duchesses and prostitutes..." "From the lowest laborer, to the King himself." "Yes, yes, madam." "I had an audience with King Amadeus." "I told him about the shelter." ""For old people?", he asked." ""No, sir." "For children"." "He said no more." "Days later he had me sent piles of clothes and material." " Good evening, sir." " Good evening." "Excuse me." "It's never-ending." "I need 200 pairs of trousers before winter sets in." "I came to say good-bye." "I'm going back to London." " The men are in there." " Yes, I can hear them." "I don't know if I'd rather be with the women today." "We don't mind." "Your aunt Guillermina is with us." "She's telling us interesting stories, as always." "In that case, I prefer to be with the men." "Or I'd risk emptying my pockets entirely." " Good evening." " Good evening." "You should have said." "I could have sent for it." "Leave it in that room, it's empty." " Come and see them with me." " Yes." "For what we are about to receive... may the Lord make us truly thankful." "Amen." "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." "All right, sit down and eat." "Deogracias." "Run, come on." "Listen to that, listen." "What is it?" "Some cats have been thrown into the drain." "Why?" "It must be the cat from the bookshop." "It gave birth last night, and as they can't feed them... they get rid of them." "Get them out." " Come on, hurry, get them out." " I can't." "It's very deep." "If we remove the grid..." "It's gone quiet." "They've drowned." "No, they're there." "No, madam." "Not anymore." "Leave it." " The coach is waiting." " Yes, I'm coming." "It's for the master." " At this time?" " They just brought it." "That's what Deogracias said." " The master is ready, ma'am." " Thank you, Blas, I knew." "Here, this just came." "I'll get my gloves and we can go." " Whenever you're ready." " You go." "I can't come with you." " Is something wrong?" " No." "Valledor's mother has asked for a reference." "It's nothing, just something I must do." "I'll come later." "Take the coach, it's downstairs, all right?" "There's Juan." "What are you doing?" "You'll go mad." "Come on." "Take my shoes off for me." "Where have you been?" "Why didn't you come for lunch?" " Juan." " What?" "Are you deceiving me?" "I see you less and less each day." "Listen, a perpetual honeymoon is a contradiction." "The constant enthusiasm you seek is not proper for the dignified." " Are you mocking me?" " No." "A husband must think of his business... and his wife, of her house." "That way, lovers become friends." "That's how I like to see you, happy." "But, I'm laughing at your talk of business." "You do nothing more than stroll around and have fun." "Who are you trying to fool?" "Your father worked, so that the prince would never have to." "You're such a joker." "I'll teach you to disrespect me." "Idler!" "Why would I respect you?" "Caught you, cheeky!" "What's wrong, Blas?" ""José Ido del Sagrario... broker of national and foreign publications"." " Is he there?" " Yes, madam." " Tell him that the master..." " Have him wait in the office." " Blas, bring some food." " Yes, sir." "You'll see." "He's the funniest madman you'll ever meet." "Go on." "Madam, which do you prefer?" "Famous women, historical figures... great inventions, pagan gods..." "Leave the books and forget work." "You must be tired of walking around." "Take a seat." "We've prepared you some food and a drink." "No, thank you." "I never drink." "Well, the other day at Joaquín's, you were slightly merry." "I have never been drunk." "Sorry, Mr. de Santa Cruz, but it's the truth." " Bring the table." " I have never been drunk." "Look, sometimes... without knowing why, I get excited..." "I get nervous, it's like sparks flying." "I get electric." "See?" "It's already starting." "Look at my eyelid and the muscle in my jaw." "Look." "I can't live like this." "I just can't." " I get wound up like a clock." " Calm down and drink a little water." "Eat something, go on." " What if I get worse?" " You won't." "Eat." "I notice something, my dear Don José." " What?" " You don't chew what you're eating." " Do you want me to chew?" " No, we don't mind." "I don't have any teeth." "Look, I eat like a turkey." " It's better that way." " Carry on, we distracted you." "Jacinta... his wife is one of the most beautiful women in Madrid." " Really?" " Yes." "He doesn't deserve her, he's really ugly." "My wife, Nicanora... is Venus de Medicis, with her satin skin." "I'd like to meet her, she must be a beauty." "It is only exterior beauty." "A whited sepulchre." "A heart full of vipers." "What are you saying?" "She's a saint." "A saint?" "On what basis do you state that without proof?" " The voice of the people says so." " The people are deceived!" "Calm down." "We don't mind what your wife is." "You don't mind?" "I know only I care about these things... the wronged husband... the man who knows how to put his honor above all else." "And so you appreciate the just indignation of an honorable man... you should know my wife is an adulteress!" "An adulteress!" "Sit down, Don José, don't get so excited." "It's a bitter pill to swallow, but eventually... one gets used to it." "Used to it?" "What about honor Mr. Santa Cruz?" "What about honor?" "Honor is a conventional feeling." "If you discover that your wife, Venus de Medicis... with her satin skin, and swan's neck... if you discover that divinity you love frantically... goes on mysterious dates with a duke... with a Spanish nobleman... with the Duke of..." "That is serious, very serious." " Are you sure?" " I've seen him." "Why don't you sort it out by challenging him to a duel?" "Dueling is for idiots." "I'll get justice, I swear." "I hope to catch them in the act, Don Juan." "Their bodies will be discovered pierced by one sword." "That is vengeance." "That is the law." "With one sword." "And I will show everyone my hands, stained with the blood of adulterers." "And I'll shout "Learn from me, husbands, to defend your honor." "Look upon these hands of justice and kiss them."" "And they will all come and kiss my hands." "Because there are so many of them." "They will kneel and come to me." "And..." "Blas... in a while, give him some money and get rid of him..." " but let him rest for now." " All right, sir." "I don't find that amusing at all." "He's mad." "He thinks his wife cheats on him, but he's harmless." "They'll come to me." "Yes." "Jacinta." " We're waiting for you." " I'm coming." " Don't, if you don't want to." " It's not that." " I know what's wrong with you." " It's nothing." "Of course it is." "Don't be in a hurry, you're very young." "Don't rush, you'll have your children." "They'll bore you, like they bored your mother... and you'll ask God not to give you any more." "Do you know something?" "I'd like it too, but I know they'll come... and I don't mind waiting." "We're fine like this for now." "They'll come." "And with them, illnesses, shocks..." "You needn't worry." " I'm not worried." " I know you." " An "ad hoc" building." " Yes, sir, "ad hoc"." "I have the land, the plans and the foundations laid." "The architect and draughtsmen are working for free." "Now, I don't just have to ask for money... but for bricks and other materials..." " so, let's see..." " Do you have the stonemason's order?" "Yes, have you something to give me?" "I'll give you 60 cubic meters of stone blocks I have." " What for?" " Nothing." "The stone is yours." "May God bless you." " And what will you give me, Marquis?" " Well..." "Do you want two iron beams that I have left over from my house?" "Why wouldn't I want them?" "I take everything." "Even four bricks from any old roof." "You'll have seen how birds build their nests?" "Well, that is how I'll build my orphans' palace... collecting a stick here, another there..." " Have you softened them up?" " Yes, they're generous... but they can be even more so." "The Marquis, with his great plasterworks in Vallecas... is donating beams... implying that the plaster is included." "You can have 200 of white plaster." "What did I say?" "And Mr. de Ruiz, what will you do for me?" "I'm sorry, I don't have a single nail or woodchip... but if you want pamphlets and plays for a tombola..." " they're yours." " See?" "They fall, sister, they fall." " And Baldomero, what do you say?" " The bells." "And if you push me, the lightening conductor and weathervane." "I want to finish the building, as my friend Aparici wants to start it." "I won't give the first stone up for anyone." "Right, let's go and play our game." " We'll give something else, won't we?" " What else?" "The chapel and the organ... the altar, images..." "Whatever you want." "The Micaelas have cost us a fortune... we've repaired almost half their building." "So now it's Guillermina's turn, she knows she can count on us." "Lord, such inequality." "Some have so much and others, so little." "It's so unbalanced the world will fall over." "It would all be sorted if those who have... gave what they have left to those who have not." "But, what have they left?" "Who knows?" " Good evening, sir." " Good evening." "Good evening." "Do you have any rubble?" "Do I have any rubble?" "Is it for you?" "Don't do as the Galicians do... and answer a question with another." "As you are demolishing, do you have any rubble, or not?" "Yes, I have, and magnificent flint... at 60 quarters a cart, all you want." "The rubble costs eight, I know what this is about." "That sanctimonious woman and her dreams of building a shelter." "Shut up and keep your carts of flint... let them place them on the scales on judgment day." "You'll be damned as a miser." "Not if they balance them with all the money you've got out of me." " I'll surely be saved." " You're a miser and a usurer." "You demolish old houses to build Sunday houses... and rip out the guts from the poor." "Take no notice of that ecclesiastical rat." "She's ruining me." "I'll have to move to the country, she won't let me live." "I bring news." " What's happened?" " Listen to me." " What?" " The King, Amadeus, is leaving." " He's leaving." "It's irrevocable." " Are you sure?" " Absolutely." " Amadeus?" "What are you saying?" "A 100 pesetas from your husband is enough." " The King is leaving." " What are you saying?" "Don Amadeus has tired of fighting, he's given up the crown." "God works in mysterious ways." "No one knew in the Stock Exchange, I found out... and I ran to the casino with the news." "When I returned, the debt had been fixed at 20." " We must see it at 10, gentlemen." " The bank at 175." "Sorry, it's already at 172." "If you'll buy mine at 170, I'll sell them now." "I no longer want our beloved land's paper." "I'm going to London tomorrow." "Yes, because this will cause a commotion." "We shouldn't let it affect us so, the fellow got tired." "It's understandable." "He's said, "That's that"." "There'll be a bit of trouble, we'll have a republic... but you know that nations never die." " The blow comes from abroad." " I knew it." " France..." " Let's not confuse things." "In simple terms, I'll tell you..." "I'm not afraid of a republic, only republicanism." "Marquis, the Spanish people are honorable..." " and in dangerous times..." " What has that to do with it?" "Don't confuse matters." " What's wrong?" "Are there barricades?" " Nothing." "Calm down." "You mustn't go out again tonight." " I'll be very angry if you do." " I won't." "What are you looking for?" "Do you mind if I take this 100 peseta note?" " Do you need it?" " No, take what you want." "It's for Guillermina." "Mother gave her two, but she's short for the rent." "Thank you." "There's no point thinking so much." "What we have to do is leave, disappear." "Find a civilized country and wait until they learn how to live here." " It would be useless to wait." " I assure you nothing will happen." "You don't know the Spanish people." "I'm using my head." " If Don Juan Prim were still alive..." " I see Don Carlos entering Madrid." " If not now, in time." " Don Alfonso will come." "Alfonsism is in the mists of oblivion." "It will be a republic." "There's no need to worry, nothing will happen." "Whatever happens, I'll call Estupiñá." "She must buy provisions." "Lots of provisions." "In order to resist." "Lots." "To resist." "First Cartagena!" "Then all Spain!" "Long live the Republic!" "Federalism!" "Federalism!" "Federalism!"