"THE HOLY INNOCENTS" "A cup of coffee." "Nieves!" "Nieves!" ""B" and "a" reads "ba", "b" and "e" reads "bi" with "i", you say "bi" or "bai", with "o" we say "bou"..." " Go on." "... "c" and "a" reads "sei" with "e", we say "si", with "i", we say "si" "c" and "o" read "sou", with "u", we say "su"." "That is wrong." ""C" and "a" do not read "sei" but "kei", with "o", it is not "sou", but "kou" and with "u", it is "ku"." " Why is that, father?" "It sounds like nonsense but Master Lucas says it's because of Grammar." "You'll have to ask the scholars why." ""G" and "a" reads "ga", with "i", it's "yi" like a horse." "I guess it's Grammar." "If "c" and "i", reads "si" and "s" and "i" reads "si" too, why do we need both?" "Ask the scholars." " And now "d"." " "D" and "a" reads "dei" with "e", it's "de" or "di"..." "With a little knowledge, you'll be able to avoid poverty." "This girl is very bright." "She's got her sister's talent as well as her own." "What sister?" "The "Tiny Girl", who else?" "What are you thinking of?" "Keep still, Paco, our Quirce is awake." "Keep still, Paco, I am not in the mood." " They have your talent." " Talent is not in there." "Paco, keep still." "God bless you, Régula, sleep well." "Pretty kite." "Pretty kite!" "You were not a coward, kite." " Fetch the pray, Azarías." " OK." "Paco how are you?" " Fine, Mr. Pedro." " What about your family?" " They are fine." "One of these days I'll ask you to bring your family up to the farmhouse, you've been in "Raya" enough." "Régula and I would be most grateful the kids could go to school." "Any day." "Kite." "Kite." "Pretty kite." "The kite is ill, young master." "It's old, Azarías." " We must find a new chicken." " But it's our kite, young master." "All birds are alike!" "Young master, can I get the magician from the town?" "The magician?" "Azarías, you have expensive needs if we have to find a magician, just for a bird." "Don't laugh like that, young master, I beg you." "Your brother is coming." " I can't see anyone." " Your brother is coming, Régula." "Take this away, you hear me?" " Where are you going?" " I'm going to celebrate a burial." "Our Nieves will go to school." "She's bright, she'll go far." "We'll see about that." "The boys can work, that will help." "We'll see about that." "The house has got one more room we can be young again." "Pretty kite." "Well, this is what there is." "OK." "We'll take the things in." "Good morning, Mr. Pedro." "We are here to serve you." "Good morning." "Anything new from "Raya"?" " No, Mr. Pedro." " What about your wife?" "Régula, you must open the gate as soon as you hear the car." "Masters don't notify and they don't like waiting." " To serve, that is our duty." " Take the turkeys out at dawn." "It's my brother in law." "He's working at the farmhouse "La Jara", just spending some days here." "Take the turkeys out and rake the farmyard that smell is unbearable." "Mrs. Is kind, but she likes everything tidy." "To serve, that's our duty." " Anything else, Mr. Pedro?" " This has nothing to do with it, it's a woman's issue, but..." " What is it, Mr. Pedro?" "I mean the girl." "She could help my wife in the house." "She is too tired to do all the housework." "We wanted to send'em to school." "She doesn't like the work, right?" "Well, she's grown up now." "Look how she's blossomed." " At your command, Mr. Pedro." " She'll have all she needs." "If you agree, then, we'll expect her tomorrow." "She can sleep here, so you don't miss her she won't miss you either." "I pee on'em so they don't get no chapped." "One, two, three four, five, six seven, eight, nine ten, eleven, forty-three forty-four forty-five..." "What's wrong, Azarías?" "Are you ill?" "Fetch the "Tiny Girl"." "She's filthy." "Fetch her." "Pretty kite." "Pretty kite." "How long will you be here?" "Are you silly?" "What's wrong?" " The young master sacked me." " He sacked you?" "But why?" "He says I'm old." "He can't say that." "You've grown old with him." "Morning." "Good day to you, young master." "Master, Azarías says you sacked him." "Who are you?" "Who gave you any say in the matter?" "I'm Azarías' brother in law, from the marchioness' farmhouse." "I'm one of Crespo's underlings." "I see." "Azarías isn't lying, I sacked'him." "A bloke who pees in his hands!" "I can't eat a chick he's plucked." "That's disgusting." "And if he doesn't pluck'em what good is an old man who hasn't anything in here?" "You are right, young master, but think about it he grew up here, on St. Eutiquious he'll be 61." "Since he was a kid." "Anything except raise your voice." "If I put up with him for 61 years, I deserve a prize." "I can't have an abnormal peeing and what not at every corner and in his hands, before he plucks the chicks." "Revolting!" "Yes, I understand." "But at home with two rooms and three kids, we don't all fit." "Sorry, this isn't an asylum." "That's what family is for, isn't it?" "If you say so..." "Don't use more manure." "Go and look for another task." " What about this?" " Take it to its place." "Again, Régula!" "Your brother is useless." "What do you want me to do?" "What a burden!" "Around the big house, wherever, whenever he pulls his pants down and he "relieves himself"." "You can deal with ma'am He's worse than "Tiny Girl"." "Here, uncle, count this." "One, two, three, four five, six, seven, eight, nine ten, eleven, forty-three..." " Begin again, uncle." "Laughing at an innocent old man is offending God." "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven eight, nine, ten..." "Go with "Tiny Girl", only she understands you." "Give me that." " Master Iván will soon be here." " Who said so?" "It's around the time." "Uncle." "Uncle." "Look what I got you." "Bring feed and water." "And water!" "Pretty kite." "Pretty kite." "Wait for me later." "Hello, Quirce." "I hardly recognize you." " Are you going to the farmhouse?" " I'll take the bus at no 1." "I wanted to have lunch with you." " Why did you quit your job?" " I prefer working at the factory and not have to clean the filth others leave." " I want to work in Madrid." " Have you got a job?" "I'll find one." "They are very lonely since "Tiny Girl" passed away." " Did you know she'd died?" " You wrote to me." "How did it happen?" "Passengers to Villafranca and Almendralejo!" "Ma'am..." "Ma'am..." "Who is it?" " It's Nieves." " Come here." "Come nearer." "What are you scared of?" "Let me see your hands." "Go away." "Are you going to stay there?" " Mr. Pedro told me to help you." " That's what you came for." "Clean the kitchen, sweep the floors and cook lunch for my husband." "Manage on your own, I'm not getting up." "If he comes, tell him not to disturb me, I have a headache." "Even if you don't believe it, I wasn't sure of the charge." "Our Iván came one day with two cartridges and an old shotgun and he told me: "Every night, put cartridges in and take them out through the shotgun barrel, 50 or 100 times and if you are the quickest, with your sense of smell and your memory, everybody will se you as an underling." "A month after I went to see him and said: "Ivancito I'll put the cartridges in and take them out in a flash. "" "He said: "I'll have to see that, Paco, don't show off. "" "When he aew me he said:" ""OK, keep it up. "" "So every night, I did, ris, ras!" "Ris, ras!" "And your mum got restless, and said I was a fool." "He took to hunting very young." "Mistress said it was crazy." "During the day, at night, in wintertime, in the summer..." "And in 1943, during the beating, on "Racial Day" everyone was amazed." "Ivancito among the three first ones." "At times, he had four dead birds in the air." "Incredible!" "A thirteen-year old boy nex to the best shots in Madrid." "By that time he had got used to me." "Your mother called to settle the First Holy Communion plans and to see if you were here." "About 30 people are expected to attend." "Purita is in charge of everything." " Did Paco return?" " Yes, some weeks ago." "Your mother sent the musician." "He'll try the organ it hasn't been played since your wedding." "I must take the liberty of asking you to prepare the rooms is your wife coming?" " Where is Paco?" "In the guard's hut." "He's off today, he's coming with me." "My wife isn't coming." "Paco!" "Paco!" "Master Iván wantes you." "Tired of running, aren't you?" "Getting old, you sissy." "Who is that?" " He's my brother in law." " What a family you have!" "What do you think of him?" "He's grown up, isn't he?" " It's Quince, isn'it?" " Yes." "Look afeter the boy, you are getting old and I need an underling." " Good bye Régula!" " Good bye young master!" "We are going to the country on Sunday, let's speak." "When was the last time you washed?" "That's only for gentlemen." "Water is cheap, you swaine." "I pee on'em so they don't get chapped." "You are making misery and you give the girl fleas." "Old bag!" " Lazybones!" " Old bag!" "Lazybones!" "I have to look after you as if you were a baby." "You are lucky!" "I'd like to eat like this always." "Do you prefer chicken breast?" "Funny question your wife's!" " Don't serve me any sauce." " It's almond sauce." "That's why, I don't like it." "Thank you." "This breast is enough for me." "Go on, Pedro, laugh, you are very serious." "22 partridges and Paco killed them all." "He's unique." "22?" "We could serve them at the banquet." "Good idea." "Pedro, tell the musician to be quiet, I want to sleep." "He'll play at the Holy Communion." "Your mother asked him to." "If he plays like that, the bishop will run away." "Don't you think so, Purita?" "I love music!" " What are you laughing at?" " At you." "Why do you speak like that?" ""I love music!"" "Where do you think you are?" "You read too many novels." "Idiot!" "Go on Pedro, tell him to shut up." "I'll also tell them to sweep the chapel." " What are you doing here?" " It's for the ki-te." " You've broken a sack, idiot!" " Go away!" "Besides being a thief, you are abnormal!" "Out!" "Unfortunate!" "I'll speak to your brother in law." "I'll get rid of you!" "We won't put up with your filth." "The Marchioness arrives at noon." "Have everything ready." "My wife is unwell, you'll have to do it alone." "There was trouble last night!" "He almost whipped her and she said: "If you do, you'll never see me again. "" "You don't care about that, you know it." "Hear, see and keep quiet." " Where were you?" " Your brother peed again." " Where?" " Over there." " Don't look!" " Oh, my goodness!" "Hello." "The ring." " Your ladyship..." " Hello, Purita." "We'll go to the chapel first." "In the musician here?" "Yes, your ladyship." " How is your family, Facundo?" " Healthy, thank God." " Is it bigger?" " It wasn't God's will this year we still have eight." " Make it nine." "God will provide, have faith." "Are the pigs growing well?" "After the plague, everything was OK." "Thank goodness." "I won't leave without seeing them." "And the children." "Here you are, celebrate my return at your house." "And here is a surprise." "Boy..." "For the grandson's First Holy Communion." "Thank you." " Your ladyship..." " I'm glad to see you." "You abandoned us, while at "La Raya"." " What about your husband?" " He's hunting with Master Iván." " So as not to lose custom." " Always together, aren't they?" "Take your husband's part so you celebrate my return." " Thank you, your ladyship." " Boy, keep still." " Where did you get that jewel?" " She's Paco "Bajo's" daughter." "Purita taught her in a month." "She's very clever." "Miriam, did you see that girl?" "I think she's got too much... here, but she's not bad." "I we "polish" her a bit, she'd be a good maid." "Purita, we are conspiring against you." " Why, your ladyship?" " We are talking about the girl." "Your ladyship, you have your own staff." "Régula, be careful with the yard, it stinks." "Yes, ma'am." "I'm here to please." "I don't know you, who are you?" "He is my brother." "Stand up, lad." " Where did you find him?" " He was at "La Jara"." "He was sacked." "He'd be better off in a charitable body." "A son of my mother won't die in an asylum, while I live." "What wrong does he here?" "The farmhouse is big." "I look after the geraniums every morning." " That's good." " A night I keep the owl out of the'ouse." "So he doesn't bother no one." "Keep the owl out!" "What is he talking about?" "Our Azarías ain't bad, ma'am, just a bit innocent." "Now I'm breeding' a kite." " He does many things." " Come and see the kite, ma'am." "Don't wait for me, mum!" "Tidy that up, later we lose things." "She is pretty, ain't she?" " What's that?" " It's "Tiny Girl"." "Can a girl shout in such a way?" "Miriam!" " Oh, My God!" " I'm waiting for you." "I'm sorry." "Mr. Pedro, she's not here, I searched the house." " Didn't she was going?" " Where would she go?" " You should know." " I know nothing, Mr. Pedro." " OK." " Can I return to the chapel?" " This looks like a burial." " The service has begun." " What do you intend to do?" " Another scene?" "Slut!" "You slut!" ""Come up, girl to the balcony." "Come up." "You look like dawn when you come out." "Come up." "Wearing that choker and those bow earrings you are like a queen, coming out from her palace." "You are like a queen, coming out from her palace. "" " Long live her ladyship!" " Hurrah!" " May she live long!" " Hurrah!" " Long live master Carlos Alberto!" " Hurra!" "Thank you, my dears." "The boy isn't coming, because he's asleep." " Long live master Carlos Alberto!" " Hurrah!" " Long live her ladyship!" " Hurrah!" "A picture, please." " Move closer." " Azarías." "Keep still, just a moment." "Get closer." "Right." "Keep still, please." "I'll take another one." " My kite'as escaped!" " Leave her." "I don't want my kite to go nowhere." "Hey, pretty kite!" "Pretty kite!" "Come'ere, kite!" "Pretty kite!" "Kite!" "Kite!" "His kite has fled!" "She ain't happy with me." "Biting the hand that feeds you!" "Pretty kite." "My pretty kite." "Régula!" "Régula, Quirce is coming!" "My Quirce!" "Have one of these." "We are alone now, but we are OK." "OK." "Though nobody comes here." "We don't need it anyway." " Did you see our Nieves?" " Yes, I did." "I was offered a job as a mechanic, by an army mate." "You'll accept?" "What happened to "Tiny Girl"?" " In springtime." " She spent the day screaming." "She fell down at night." "When your father got up she was already dead." "She was asleep." "Like an angel." "Only came to say good bye, father, I'm off tomorrow." "Go to bed." "Tomorrow I'll go hunting and you'll have a good lunch." "It's OK, I'll take them off." "Thirty-two!" "Thirty-three!" "Thirty-four!" " Let go, young master!" " Keep still, Paco!" "Please, let go!" "Let me go to fetch them!" "If you go before time, I'll shoot you!" "No kidding." " How many?" " Forty." "Go for them!" "Don't miss any!" "Not even the finest dog, would do what he does, Iván." " That's mine!" " You're kidding!" "The partridge you shot next to the bank of the stream well, Facundo took it from me, he says it's his master's." "Facundo!" "Facundo, come here!" "How come Iván shoots 40 partridges and you get them all?" "I remember'em." "The bird near the stream is mine!" "My master shot another one down there." "I saw it, Facundo, and I'm always right." "Don't annoy me!" "You know that it pisses me off when people take my birds!" "Give my bird to Paco!" "What about the one my master shot?" " What the hell do I care!" " Where did it "swig"?" "Over there." "Come here." "It's worth it." "The feathers are here." "It left "featherless"." "It was going that way." "It must be next to that rush or maybe in those bushes, it can't be far." "Have a look." "Paco, why can't it be anywhere else?" "Partridges don't lead away from the furrow when hiding." "Come on, let's have another go before lunch." "Paco!" "Régula!" " Paco!" " I'm coming!" " Master Iván wants you." " What does he want?" "I don't know." "You have to go with Ceferino." "Quick, he's calling." "What does he want?" "You are a left-wing, ambassador." "There aren't illiterate people any more, it's not 1936." "No need to quarrel, you can see for yourself." "Things have changed now." "A good afternoon to you." "They were illiterate some time ago." "But you'll see now." "Paco, take the pen and write your name." "Properly, Paco." "Do it well, national dignity is at stake." "Ambassador, though you may not believe it, we do as much as we can to "redeem" these people, in this country." "Be quiet!" "Don't distract him!" "It's your turn now, Ceferino." "Have a go, Régula." "Women too." "We are all the same here." "Look." "Tell them about it in Paris or where you bloody well like!" "You judge us nastily!" "This woman signed with her thumb, until recently." "You can leave now." "Well done." "God bless you, masters." "How I made it run, Paco!" " Did you have a shit?" " Not yet." " But I'll feel like it." " Come on, be quick." "Come on, Paco, the kite is waiting." "Did you have a shit?" "We'll be here till dawn." "I don't care if the kite dies." "Don't say that, Paco." "From now on, I'll bring you here at night you won't do it over there." "That's the deal." "The kite is waiting." "We fucked it, master Iván!" "I left the hoods at home." "Blind fold the pidgeon, go on." "Shall I make it a hood out of the handkerchief?" "Didn't you hear me?" "A flock of ringdoves, Paco, calm them down." " A couple!" " Be quiet, you poof." " Another two!" " Shut your mouth." " One escaped." " Can't you shut up, poof?" "Blind fold all the pidgeons, the light gets in with those hoods and the animals don't act." "Are you tired, Paco?" "You can't fool age, can you?" "Considering what you were like!" "You poof, you almost squashed me!" "Did you hurt yourself?" "My leg has gone silly, I can't move it." "You can't move it?" "Don't be aprehensive, it's worse if you let it cool." "I can't, master, it's broken I felt the bone break." "What a nuisance!" "Who will tie the pidgeon for me?" "Maybe our Quirce, my son, he's skillful, he'll be useful." "Are you sure you can't move, Paco?" "I find it difficult, master." "Crespo!" "Calm them down." "That about your father has made me nervous, I never miss." " It could be." " Well of course it could be!" " What I say is enough!" " Lf you say so..." "Gentler." "Gentler." "Bloody hell!" " How are you, Paco?" " Not too well." "It's a bad break, didn't you hear the bone?" "I have never missed as many pidgeons as today." "What must your son think?" "It's the nerves, master Iván." "Do you think it's normal I miss a bird right next to me?" "Could anyone miss a pidgeon from here to the door?" "He's my brohter in law, you've met." " Did he pluck them?" " Can he pluck pidgeons?" "He has done it all his life." "When you pluck them, take them to Mrs. Purita." "We are going to the doctor to see about your leg." "On the 22nd., we beat." "Does it hurt?" "No need for X-rays, it's the fibula." " What?" " It's broken." "On the 22nd." "We have a beating, I need him." "I'm telling you the problem, you do as you wish." " You are the "donkey's" master." " What a nuisance!" "Injuries like this are not serious, but annoying." "I'm afraid you'll have to find another underling." "I was lucky, I guess, when the poof fell it's a wonder he didn't kill me." "You must stand this, it'll hurt, Paco." "Manolo, is there anything you could do, so he's OK on 22nd?" "The 22nd isn't far off, and this man needs almost 45 days in plaster." "With a bit of luck, in 10 days he'll be able to walk on crutches." "It's hard luck, master Iván." "He didn't want to go with the kites, right Quirce?" "Can you teach birds?" " He's scared." " It's normal, he doesn't know me." "Isn't it coming down?" "Look." "Pretty kite." "Pretty kite." " Paco." " Yes?" "Would your brother in law make a good underling?" "He's OK for pidgeons, but a bit slow for partridges." "Damn, Paco, move!" "You are like a handicaped!" " It's easy saying, master." " The 22nd will be soon." " It's worse for me, master Iván." " Pooh!" "That's a damn lie!" "Will is power, you must try." "Even if it hurts." "If you don't, you'll be handicaped, OK'." "When I tred on it it's as if they sawed it." "Have guts, Paco." " You must come on the 22nd." " I don't think so, master Iván." "Of course you will, make an effort." "Walk." "Come on." "Get up, Paco." "We'll be careful, don't worry." "Pay attention, gentlemen!" "An applause for my underling." "He didn't want to miss the beating of the season!" "It'd been worse if you had broken your nose." " Sorry, I can't take my hat off." " That's OK, Paco." " Will it be a nice day?" " Well..." "It's a foggy morning, like last night, I think there'll be prey." " Be careful, master Iván." " We'll return him in one piece." "Go for them." "Master Iván, he's broken his bone again, I felt it." " What shall we do now, Paco?" " My leg, master." "This is too much, Paco." "It's worse for me, master." "It has broken again." "Try standing up." "Is wish I could, but the bone is broken again." "You shoul'd've taken care!" "The Minister is 5 birds ahead!" "It's very painful, master." "Crespo will take you home." "Stop whining." "Your father caught them for you." "Don't scorn at them." " You have time, eat something." " No." " Will you go by the city?" " Yes." "Take this, it's for uncle." "Uncle, this is from mother." "It's broken again." "Of course, it wasn't healed." " You shouln't move it." " So, what will I do tomorrow?" "It's up to you, if you want to injure the poor man it's all up to you." " What rotten luck!" "Paco, who's coming with me, your son or your brother in law?" "What's the one with the pidgeon called?" " Quirce, young master." " Find me if I'm needed." " Thank you, Manolo." " Don't move." " Who is coming with me?" " Quirce is a field expert he knows more than anyone." " But he's not too talkative." "That's the way he is." "Youngsters..." "What do they want?" "They're never happy." "I'd show them a war." "They've never lived like now Do you know what Paco's son did to me?" "When the hunt was over, I gave him 100 pesetas and he said, "No, thanks"." "I told him it was to have a few drinks, and he rejected it." "I remember his father saying, not so long ago "Thanks, master Iván", or "Thank you so much, master"." "It was respectful." "It seems now youngsters don't accept hierarchy Minister, I might be wrong but we must all accept hierarchy." "Ones above, and others below." "That's life, isn't it?" "Régula, did you see Mrs. Purita going out?" "No, sir." "She didn't go out the gate." "Only master Iván's car left last night." " Are you sure?" " Absolutely sure." "Master Iván's car left, he was alone, he said:" "...he said:" "..."Régula, take care of this man." "I'll be back for the pidgeons at the end of the month. "" "That's what he said." "I opened the door and he left." "Did you look in the back seat maybe by chance there was a raincoat, some clothes a suitcase, or?" " I didn't look." " Think before you answer." "Couldn't..." "Couldn't Mrs. Pura have been in the car." "Lying down on the back seat, covered by a coat?" "Master Pedro, I only saw Master Iván." "Father, last night I saw Mrs. Purita holding master Iván." "Be quiet, girl." "Does anyone know you saw them together?" " No, it was past 12 o'clock." " Don't say a thing, OK?" "In masters'matters, you:" ""Hear, listen and keep quiet. "" "Yes, we quarrelled as other nights." "But, Régula swears she didn't see her leaving how did she leave?" " She could've got into the boot of my car, it's very big." "Without me seeing her, of course." "And get off a Cordovilla, I stopped for petrol or maybe in Madrid." "I'm very distracted, so I wouln't have noticed." "Of course, Iván, naturally it could've been like that." "You always think the worse, you always imagine dramas." "Purita loves you." "Your concience is clear, you can sleep well." "How is that leg going?" "I forgot to ask you before." "Well, bit by bit." "I bet you don't have the guts to go out tomorrow." " Are you kidding?" " No, I'm not." "I'm serious." "I don't joke about hunting." "And what about your son..." "I don't like it, it's as if he was doing me a favour." "If I'm not well, I prefer not to go out." "Master Iván, where can I go like this?" "How is your brother in law, the retarded one?" "You said he was OK with pidgeons." "Azarías!" "Azarías!" "Master Iván wants to take you tomorrow to help." " With the kite?" " No, with the blind pidgeons." "You must tie them to the top of the oak, move them..." " As I did at "La jara"?" " Exactly." "Keep still, don't move it yet!" "There are no birds!" "What a morning!" "Master!" "There they are!" "Calm them down!" "They don't want it!" "The bloody things!" "Come down, Azarías, we are going to "Alisón"." "I think they want to be there." "Azarías, come down, let's hope we are lucky tomorrow." "What bloody bastards!" "Don't shoot, master!" "It's the kite!" "For Heaven's sake, don't shoot!" "Don't worry." "I'll get you another one." "Understand me, I was angry." "All morning without "hiting"." "It's dead, it's dead, the kite, master." "Don't be upset, we've got loads of carrion like this." "Do you need anything else?" ""Tiny Girl" is crying... because master'as killed my kite." "Come on, you poof!" "Can't you see the pidgeons?" "What are you going to do?" "Pretty kite." "Pretty kite." "Pretty kite."