"FORTUNATA AND JACINTA" "CHAPTER 10" "It all went wrong when I told him what you said." "He was so angry." "It could have been a mistake, but not slander." "Moreno was crazy about her." "We don't know if she felt the same." "You said she did, that they arranged meetings." "But it was just a supposition and you ran to tell him." "You have to be more tactful, and not hurt men's self-esteem." "What do you think?" "Is she honorable?" "I don't know." "If Moreno had lived, anything could've happened." "He was courting her so childishly." "Such a worldly man..." "Maybe she laughed at him or looked on him kindly." "Who knows." "Your only care should be that he loves you the most." "Drop the subject." "It's over." "The swine is disrespecting me." "I've seen him twice in a fortnight, he's always in hurry." "He's discarded me again... and I don't know what's to become of me." "It's over." "Thanks for your help." "The client will be on her way I'll finish in no time." "Go home and wait for me." "We can talk later." "I won't go to your house..." "Maxi likes me to feed him like a baby." "All right, we'll talk tomorrow." " See you tomorrow." " See you tomorrow." "And thanks for your help." "He hasn't been back here since the last time you asked." " Are you sure?" " Yes... but I'll ask the landlord." "Wait here." "I was wrong." "He hasn't been, but he sent this... for you." "Aren't you going to open it?" "Later." "I know what's inside." "All right." "It's nothing, don't worry." "Come here!" "He wants to kill me!" "He'll kill me!" "Maxi!" "What are you doing, Maxi?" "Madam, madam!" "Fortunata!" "Fortunata!" "I'll wring her neck!" "Calm down, calm down." "Come on." "Take your medicine and you can rest a while." "Come on." " What did you do?" " Nothing, ma'am." " You're not leaving until you tell." " Leave me alone!" " What did you do?" " I didn't do anything." "He started it, I didn't encourage him." "I was clearing the table and he jumped on me... saying this was up, and that was down..." "I started laughing, I didn't understand... and then he talked nonsense and said... that Fortunata was expecting a child and other things." "I laughed again, and he got the knife... and chased me, if I hadn't run, he'd have killed me." "Go to the kitchen and next time know better." "Agree with everything he says, say nothing." "Go on." "You did it this time." "Didn't you trust me enough to tell me?" "Why did Maxi, who is demented, find out before me?" " What game are you playing?" " I didn't tell him, he guessed." "I couldn't tell anyone, especially not him." " Especially not him." " Yes, he should never have known." "I was ashamed to tell you, but I was going to." "Now, all I can ask is that you have compassion... collect my things and leave this house." " And this time it will be forever." " Why don't you go then?" "I can't believe you have the nerve to still be here." "If it's for your money, everything is up to date." "I'll get it ready for you now." "Here." "Keep it." "If I need it, I'll ask you for it." "Have you somewhere to go?" "Don't worry." "Fortunata!" "The room is in the upstairs flat, the key is in the lock." "I'll leave this here a minute." "I'll be right back." "In the upstairs flat." "Remember." "Don't stay long." "That's the biggest villain, he's the naughtiest." "What's wrong, girl?" "Tell me." "How is he?" "Who?" "Your husband." "Completely mad." "They're taking him to the madhouse." " The madhouse?" " Yes." "They're taking him to Leganés." "What about Mrs. Lupe?" "She and I..." "You've fallen out?" "What a mess..." "Mrs. Lupe, the bitch..." "Don't go, girl." "Come here." "Come here." "It's very late." "Do you remember... our happy times?" "What a shame I'm not twenty years younger." "Then, we could have been really truly happy." "Have you broken up with him?" " Who is it?" " Mrs. Segunda sent me." "Come in." "My name is Encarnación." "Come on." "Listen, Encarnación, you have to help me clean this house." "We'll do it together." "I have to spend a lot of time here and this dirt will kill me." "Then you'll buy some plants, all the baskets that will fit." "And remember this." "If a man you don't know, for example... a skinny man, pale, and agitated... asks you if I live here, say I don't." "Never open the door to anyone you don't know." "When they call, you look and tell me." "Will we have to keep coming for a while, doctor?" " The patient is improving, isn't he?" " Absolutely." "With the sodium bromide and hot and cold showers... he could be cured in a couple of months." "But I don't see any need for you to accompany him." "But my aunt insisted I didn't leave him." "What nonsense, there's no need." "The doctor has told me you can come alone... with one more week's treatment, you'll be cured." " Shall we catch a cab?" " No, let's walk." "I wanted to ask you something." "Why won't you or my aunt tell me where my wife is?" "Where is she?" "Don't be mysterious." "I won't get agitated, you heard the doctor." "Well, look, accept that she has died." "What do you care?" "Why do you want a wife?" "They only bring you grief." " Dead." "Dead?" " Why not?" "We're all going to die." "How can I believe you?" "We would have been in mourning." "They have just passed a law banning mourning." "A law banning mourning." "You think I'm stupid, not ill." "If you think I'm going to swallow that..." " This month's receipt." " Come in, I have to talk to you." "No, I won't come in." "I don't feel like conversing." "I want you to see that this is no place for Christians to live." " Well, move then." " You've become such a tyrant." "I can't live in such filth." "If you don't fix it, I will." "That's another thing, as long as it's under my observation." "Come in, come and see." "I can't fix everything every tenant wants." "It would be never-ending." "We couldn't do it." "Last month I spent over 20000 quarters on repairs... so hurry up, I'm in a rush." "Have you turned into a rocket?" "Sit down a minute." " Tell me something." " I've nothing to say." "Sit down, I'll get your money." " Whose house is this now?" " That's not your business." "It belongs to its owner." "Or do you want to buy it?" "Tell me whose it is." "Its owner's." "And it's valued at 175000 pesetas." "The stone in the foundations and stairs alone cost a fortune." "When they read Manuel Moreno's will... they found he'd left this house to his aunt Guillermina Pacheco." "She mortgaged it, in order to finish the orphanage." " So, hurry up." " Mrs. Guillermina is my landlady?" "I'll ask her to fix the place." "She's my friend." "How can she be your friend?" "Mention fixing anything but her orphanage and she'll be furious." "Good-bye, and good health." "Watch those baskets." "If they leak, I'll throw you out." "I'll throw you out." "King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette... were beheaded, of course... because they wouldn't free the people, of course." "So they revolted and they changed everything... even the names of the months." "They built the metro and stopped measuring in yards." "Religion was abolished and they worshipped the goddess Reason." "Can I sit down?" "I'm very interested in your conversation." "I was telling my friend, Mr. Izquierdo... how those who demand freedom, soon demand order." "Consequently, up jumps a dictator." "That's how Napoleon got to put everyone in line." " And I applaud him." " Me too." "Does this mean that I am in favor of tyranny?" "No, sir." "I am a friend of freedom... but respecting everyone." "Let each think as he likes." "Many people think that being liberal means shouting... insulting priests, demanding abolition, not working... and shouting "Death to the authorities"." "No sir." "What does that lead to?" "That when freedom is misunderstood and abolition abounds... the rich get scared and send their money abroad." "When there's no money, the market is bad." "Nothing sells." "And the laborer who shouted so loud, has nothing to eat." "It's what I always say." "Logic man, logic." "No one can change my mind." "Hot chestnuts!" "Hot chestnuts!" "Piping hot!" " Hot chestnuts!" " Segunda." " How much did they cost?" " One and a half." "Here." "Come on, José." "Are you still here?" "My husband is waiting." " He went to see her and said..." " Quiet." " I came to get you." " Me?" "Yes, you." "Your aunt wants me to show you our latest babies." "You'll like them, really." "Come on." " Now?" " Why not?" "Come on." "I'll be right there, don't worry." "Padilla, I'll be back in a minute!" " Have you seen?" "What do you think?" " What about sleeping?" " Who?" "Them?" " No, you." "It's no problem, in the dark they don't sing." "Excuse me." "How is she?" "It will be an easy birth." "Mrs. Lupe mustn't worry." "What do you want?" "To stop going for my showers in the mornings." "I need time." " The doctor must decide that." " But I'm better, Aunt." "My head is better than ever." "Even so, the doctor will decide when the treatment must end." "I'm so sane I can give my extra sanity to those who say they're sane." "I don't doubt you're well and I'm glad you are." "I thank the Lord you're well." "I feel a strength in my mind I have never had." "I reason well, I shall show you." "There's no need, I'll talk to the doctor." "It's not that." "I wanted to say... that you may have tricked me, but I have done better." "With signs and half-truths, observation and logic..." "I've discovered the following facts." "Fortunata has not died, she's in Madrid." "She lives near the main square, on the Cava de San Miguel." "She's a month overdue and Francisco de Quevedo is her doctor." "You see... come here, come on." "You needn't worry about anything." "It's true she's alive, but I don't know where." "The pregnancy is a mistake caused by your damn logic." "If you insist on acting, I'll think you have lost your mind." "I have proof that what I said is true." "I swear I have spoken to no one about this." "And now, I will give you proof of my sanity." "How?" "By not mentioning this matter again." "Life goes on, nothing has happened." "Aunt, you must accept we have not talked about anything." "Do you want to stop the treatment?" "We'll talk about it, Aunt." "We'll talk." " May I?" " Yes, come in, Don Segismundo." "Do you want to see him?" "He's so lovely." "He's been asleep two hours, he's greedy." "He's come to live the good life." "If you could see how he looks at me." "I think he loves me." "He's a friend, Uncle." "I'm scared to death." "I dream they come and steal him." "That's why my uncle is here." "I came to remind you that I will be his godfather." " You promised." " Yes, and I'll keep it." "And his second name will be mine, Segismundo." "What do you think?" "All right, he'll be called Juan Evaristo Segismundo." "I'll settle for third place but no further back." "Mrs. Lupe, for all her ferocity, doesn't forget you." "She always asks me or Quevedo for news of you and the boy." "If he is strong, eating well, has any defects..." "Defects?" "He's more perfect than perfection." "I'll show you him naked so you see how beautiful he is." "What will surprise you... is that Maxi is so much better you wouldn't recognize him." " Really?" " Really, like a new man." "I'm glad." "I hope he never remembers me or knows I'm alive." "Impossible." "He knows everything." "Really?" "Don't make fun of me, I'm trembling with fear." "Why?" "I tell you, he's changed." "He's calm and reasonable." "He speaks little." "As for you, I think what he feels is indifference." "If indifference is something you can feel." "I don't trust him." "Well, I have to go." "But I'd like to see him naked so I can tell Mrs. Lupe." "You shall see him." "Let's see." "Madam, madam..." "Yes." "Take this upstairs." "Your niece will need some good broth." "As you wish." "And thank you." " Listen, could I see him?" " Who?" "The baby." "I've heard about him from those who visit." "But I'd like to see him." "I'll ask." "Come on." "He's hungry, the rascal." "He's the spitting image." " The spitting image." " He's ugly, isn't he Don Plácido?" "Won't you kiss him?" "Do you think you'll catch something?" "Don't worry, you can't catch beauty." "You know something?" "I think you're going to love him." "And he'll love you too, won't you?" "He's beautiful." "I just wanted to see him, I'll bother you no more." "Tell them, Don Plácido." "Run and tell them about my boy." "Let them say what they like and take it as the want." "God cannot undo what He has done." "Even if it's the end of the world, my son is the grandson... of Don Baldomero and Lady Barbarita." "The other may be an angel, but she's barren." "That's what I say... let her show me one like you." "Don't worry, she won't." "Come on, love, come on." "Uncle, uncle!" "He went out, he said he'd wouldn't be long." "I'll go and get him." "No, don't go." "Don't leave the room." "All right, as you wish." "Are you afraid?" "Don't think I came to cause trouble." "Although no one told me, I know what happened..." "I came to help you and to do you a favor." "There can be nothing between us." "We got married because of your weakness and my mistake." "I adored you, you didn't adore me." "I paid by losing my mind." "But now God has returned it, mended and improved." "You'd be surprised if you read my mind... and understood the heights from which I see things... the calmness with which I look at you." "The indifference I feel for your son." "What right have I too obstruct your life?" "I only want to see him." "Another day." "He's asleep, you'll wake him." "Do you think I would hurt him?" "That's inhuman." "Let me see him and I'll tell you something for your good." "He looks like your tormentor, evil never dies." "You needn't tell me his father no longer wants you." "He hasn't even visited." "He never will, you can be sure." " Who knows?" " I know." "There's no need for him to come." "You're right, there's no need." "That man now has other entertainment." "You should know." "Your tormentor doesn't remember you and is seeing another woman." " Another woman?" " Yes, another woman you know." "What tales are these?" "Leave me alone." "I'll leave you." "What you are telling me better be true." " Do you want her name?" " Come here." " You have to tell me." " She's a good friend of yours." " Aurora." " Aurora." "Liar." "You want to kill me and instead of shooting me, you say this." " It's a mortal blow, if you want." " You're crazy!" " I'm not crazy!" " Yes, you are!" "Don't use that as defense." "When Aurora leaves work, he waits for her on Santo Tomás... and they go to a house together that you know well." "On Cabeza Street, by the tavern, where he had another woman before." "Don't tell me I am crazy!" "Wait!" " It's not slander nor a lie?" " No, it's true." "Why did you tell me?" "Why must I know now?" "What did you want?" "To wound and not be wounded?" "Kill and not be killed?" "It's the way of the world." "Today you inflict wounds, tomorrow you receive them." "I swear... that woman won't laugh at me." "I swear I'll destroy her, I'll kill her..." "I'll gouge out her eyes and rip out her heart." "If I had the strength..." "God..." "God..." "I want you to go there and try." "I know it's difficult, she's a hard, stubborn woman... but we must try." "Since Plácido came that night with news of the birth..." "I can think of nothing else." "I can't eat or sleep for thinking of that child." "Bringing him here and bringing him up." " That is absolutely impossible." " Try." "Maybe she doesn't want the burden... she can't care for him, or needs money." "I don't know." "Do it for me." "Encarnación." " Are you going out?" " I'll be out half an hour." "Don't leave the room." "If he wakes up, rock him." "Don't open the door." "If my aunt comes, have her wait on the stairs." "Good afternoon." "Fortunata, it's been a while." "Sorry, I'm busy." "Come back later." "What a face." " Have you been ill?" " How are you?" "Where have you been?" "I had to talk to you." "I was going to visit you, but I haven't had time for social calls." " Sit down." " I'm fine." "I won't be staying." "I was really going to visit." "But with one thing and another, I couldn't." " Knowing I'm so fond of you." " And I of you." " Why don't you sit down?" " No, I'm not staying." "I just came to bring you something." " Something for me?" " Yes." "You'll see..." "Leave me!" "Come here!" "Disgusting bitch!" "Vile whore!" "Low down thief!" "Come here, come here, get out of there." "Disgusting bitch!" "Let go!" "Let go!" "Let me go!" "Let me go!" "Bitch!" "Bitch!" "Bitch!" "Has he eaten?" " You fed him two hours ago." " Me?" "Yes, you were well enough to feed him." " Since then, you've slept." " Why are you here?" "I came to see you and found you on the stairs." "I feel tired, really bad." "Your not well in the head." "You've a baby to care for and go fighting." "Bleeding in the street, passing out." "He was crying when I came up." "If you bring him up right, we'll find him a wet nurse." "If we have to, we'll take him in ourselves." "No, ma'am." "I won't give him up." "You'll see how well I behave." "I'll have nothing to do with any man." "My son and I." " Fortunata." " Yes?" "Dr. Quevedo was shocked, you've lost blood." "He wants you to rest, and not to talk or see anyone." "I'll do what you say." "I'm going, your aunt and the girl will be nearby." "Sleep, get some rest." "Tell her that I bear no grudges." "Since God gave me my son, I cannot bear grudges." "If I'm pushed, I'm even fond of her." "Tell her." "Rest." "If you insist on stirring things up, you'll spoil everything." "I won't let you up, only to Estupiñá's flat." " Bring the baby down." " The things you think of!" " I want to see him." " You will." "I can't get that woman out of my mind." "She did right, she has the courage I lack." "Two women fighting is repulsive." "As you wish, but I feel something for her I didn't feel before." "Nonsense." "Sorry I'm late, I've been looking for nurses." " Nurses?" " Yes, wet nurses." "I found three good ones." "One from Pas, one from Asturias... and one from Santa María de Nieva." "All three were good." "I've talked to them and one will come whenever she wants." " But, what's happened?" " Either the boy can't find food... or the mother has lost it." "He didn't stop crying all night... the old lady came down to see me." "I've been running around and..." "He's stopped crying." "The woman won't take him from her breast." "We had to call the chemist, her friend, to convince her." "I'm going up, stay here and wait for me." " What's wrong?" " She's very ill." " Who?" " The lady, she's dying." "Don't talk nonsense." " How is she?" " III." "But she took her medicine and she's strong." "She'll recover." "What about the boy?" " What are you doing?" " That stupid niece of mine... didn't realize her milk had dried up... and the poor thing was starving to death." "At first he wouldn't take it, but he's gulping it down now." "We'll send a woman." " As my niece wishes." " How often was she feeding him?" "Every four hours." "A woman will come every four hours." "It's decided." "She's very weak, she must rest... take the child away." "I've told Segunda." "And trust that she'll recover." "Do you know something?" "You've a fever." "That's from thinking what you shouldn't." "You're going to be queen of the world, hold your head up." "Air!" "Don't you see the aristocrats hanging around?" "Don't you see?" "We'll be grand... we'll even have a carriage." "They're dying for a child." "Meanwhile, we'll get things cooking." "I've already started to shake myself up." "Put on airs." "Don't be stupid." "If we take advantage... we'll be on the up." "My boy..." "He's in the study, sleep." "Bring him." "No, don't." " Who are you?" " Encarnación, madam." "I'm so stupid." "Girl... run downstairs... and tell Don Plácido I need him." "Bring me my son first." "They won't love you as much as I do... but only a little bit less." "I'm dying... life is running out of me... and I want to sort yours out first." "You'll see." "Well, what can I do for you?" "Go soon..." "I'm dying." " Don't joke." " Don Plácido... if you won't do it, I'll call someone else." "I'll try." "Get paper and a pen, I want to write a letter." "Right away." "A mirror." " Encarnación..." " What do you want, ma'am?" "I was like you." "Do me the favor of writing what I say." "I'll sign it, here." "What shall I say in the letter?" "I'm giving the boy to lady Jacinta." "Put that." "Later." "Now take him away before my aunt wakes up or someone comes." "Wait, wait." "Let me see him." "He has shut himself in there." "He's shut the door and we pass food through the window." "During the night he howls terribly." "That's why I called you, we didn't dare go in." "Maximiliano." "Open up, it's Ballester." " Don't you know me?" " Ballester." "The very same." "Do you want news of the outside world?" "I allow myself to be tricked again." "Your wife no longer exists." "It's true." "She died eight days ago." "The same old lies again, they want to drive me mad... to destroy my logic and my talent." "Jacinta, we must speak seriously." "What about?" "Listen, I thought we could..." "We must talk about that child and us." "I've been saying so for weeks." "Come out and listen to me." "Juan..." "I don't need you nor count on you." "Nothing that happens to you can affect me." "You have complete freedom." "If you ever didn't use it out of respect for me." "As if I no longer existed?" "That's how it will be from now on." "But, couldn't we...?" "What does that say?" "I am shedding a whole lifetime of tears." "I loved her with all my soul..." "I made her the main objective of my life... and she didn't return my desires, she didn't love me." "Let's see things as they are." "She couldn't love me." "I swear I forgive that wretch who hurt me so much." "I declare, in a state of perfect sanity... that I love her as much as the day I met her." "I've been a martyr... and a madman." "The world has finished for me." "She was an angel..." "She was an angel!" "Any bastard who denies or doubts it will have me to deal with!" "She was an angel..." "It is a secluded, beautiful monastery... it will be like being in heaven." "The monks that run it think only of God... and divine things." "They think they deceive me." "I know where I'm going, I accept it." "I am silent as proof of my submission... to what the world wants to do with me." "They can't enclose my thoughts behind walls." "I reside in the stars." "Put Don Maximiliano Rubín in a palace or a stable."