"FORTUNATA AND JACINTA" "CHAPTER 3" "I..." "Madam, I'm very grateful for your help, but..." "You don't realize I am practically naked... these clothes are falling apart." "If you had any trousers Don Juan has discarded..." "Yes, I'll find some." "Come back another day." "Because Mrs. Guillermina... gave us vouchers for meat and bread." "And she gave Nicanora a blanket that is a godsend." "Don't worry, I'll find those trousers for you." "I'm very grateful, ma'am." "I say so with my hand on my heart." "But I have more need of children's clothes." " I have no children." " No children?" "God doesn't know what he's doing." "I'll ask my sisters, they'll have some." "A thousand quadrillion thanks, ma'am." "Some winter clothes, like those Mrs. Guillermina gave out... we could do with." "She gave out clothes and forgot you." "I'll give her a talking to when I see her." "The best went to Mrs. Joaquina's children." "Woollen hoods, socks and other things." "And also Pitusín, but he deserves preferential treatment." "I understand that the best has to go to him, he's family." "Who are you talking about?" "Pitusín is a three year old boy, the son of Fortunata." "She's a bad woman, ma'am." "Pretty, but crazy." "The boy lives with Pepe Izquierdo, a good man." "He's my neighbor, and unlucky too." "He took the child in, his mother didn't want him." "But, is what you're saying truth or madness?" "I swear it's the Gospel truth." "José is a good man, he has a silversmith's." "I don't know if Pitusín was born there... but I know his father is your husband..." "Don Juan de Santa Cruz." "You're mad." "You're a liar, get out." "If you don't believe me, ask anyone around here." "Did you say José Izquierdo had a gift shop?" "Yes, a silversmith's..." "I don't want to know." "Leave." "What's wrong?" "What's the matter?" "Jacinta." "I feel awful and I'm bored." "Whenever you come, you look like a judge." "Smile, please." "What are you doing?" "Don't be silly." "Come here." "What do you want?" "Darling, I'm still cold." "Cover yourself up." "Jacinta, you ignore your shameless husband." "I'm glad you know yourself." "Anything else?" "Love and care for me." "Pass me the water." "Do you think I have a temperature?" "Like a roast chicken." "You're just exaggerating, like a child." "Don't go." "Read me the mail when it comes." "I want to know how Salmerón is doing." "Then you can read me "La Época"." "Get to bed, son, to bed." "It's late, you'll get cold." "I'll get it ready." "Jacinta." "Get me a neckerchief, a silk one." "Not so tight." "Mother, you tie it, please." " Not too tight." " Coming." "Like that." " I've something to tell you." " Is it important?" "Yes, very." " Will you come?" " Yes, of course." "No, don't come." "I'll go there." "Children, come here." " Are you Mr. de Ido's?" " I am." " Is your father upstairs?" " Yes." "Take us to see him." " Hey!" "You're wetting my clothes." " Stop complaining." "Mr. Mariana, look who's brought their sofa stuck to their rear!" "Ladies, get on with your work... and leave those that don't bother you in peace." "Water!" "Are you shocked, pretty girl?" "What did you expect?" "A royal palace?" "You need two things to come here, charity and a strong stomach." "Move, you'll dirty the ladies with those hands." "My Lord!" "Have you seen them?" "Come on, move." "Dirty pig, look at the state of you." "For God's sake, Mrs. Nicanora!" "Why do you let the children have your lamps?" "Come in, come in, ladies." "I'm afraid things are a bit of a mess." "But, what have you been painting?" " I'm a mourneress." " We're mourners." "We print mourning notes." "They pay us a quarter per ream, and we paint them." "Working all day, we can earn 6 or 7 quarters." "But these are bad times." "Or no one is dying, or they're not sending notes." "Can't you live off the money from subscriptions?" "It's a disaster." "José is unlucky, he sells very few books." "And when he does, they don't pay." "First, you must send the children to school." "No, I'm ashamed to let them out in those rags." " We shall give you clothes." " God bless you." " Is your eldest earning?" " Yes, ma'am." "He earns 5 quarters in a printers." "But he wants to be a bullfighter." "Rosita is learning to be a hairdresser." "I'll see what's going on." "Dirty little rascals!" "Look at the state of you!" " Why don't you clean him up?" " You're a real sight, Juanín." "And this lady wanted to kiss you." "Where does Mr. Izquierdo live?" "I have to talk to him." "All right, I'll tell him." "His door is always hermetically sealed." "We'll come back another day." "Yes, but clean him up." "He must be in torment." "Speak, silly." "Do you want to be clean?" "I knew you'd come, friend." " Maybe we've something to celebrate." " Yes, but I've only 5 pesetas." "Five." "So don't drink too much." "I'll order." "My friend, I'm very glad to see you... because I've got very important news for you." "Lady Jacinta came yesterday and asked about the boy." "She saw him." "Well, not properly, because he was painted black." "She asked for you, but as you were out, she said she'd call back." "José, long live the Republic!" "To hell with the Republic!" "It's a load of rubbish." "No position for me, me!" "When I was the one who fought hardest for this damn land." "And what thanks did I get?" "In '55, what did I do?" "I fought on the barricades, like any decent man." "In '56..." "I was a militia lieutenant and even O'Donnell feared me." "In '66, with the artillery men..." "I fired shots from Laganitos corner." "In '68, I guarded the banks so they wouldn't be robbed." "When it was time for my recompense, I ask for a post... and what do I get?" "Nothing at all." "I got married." "Demetria dies and I ask to be posted again." "But those good-for-nothings say they have no posts." "One day, they'll ask for my help, but I won't budge." "If the Republic sinks, let it." "If the people sink, let them sink too." "They say they'll bring Alfonso." "What a joke!" "Let him come, black or white, it's all the same to me." "I've been through enough." "If it wasn't for my niece Fortunata in Barcelona, I wouldn't be here." "She's a good girl." "With the money she gave me, I got the train back to Madrid." "Then you took in the boy." "Then, my good friend..." "I saw they'd put me in the nick and get me mixed up with priests... so I beat it and head for Cartagena." "They wanted to make me a Government Minster." "But I said no." "We went out in the frigates on those seas." "Then, like it or not, they promoted me to lieutenant." "And I was under the orders of General Contreras himself." "Who spoke to me as an equal." "He was a great man." "He looked just like the great Turk with his colored hat." "What times!" "Alicante, Águilas..." "The shots came, and the shots went..." "Afterwards..." "Why should I tell you?" "I left, returned to Madrid quietly, just so... what did I care?" "I went to those good-for-nothing theologians and I said..." ""Here you have me, a man of true individual character... who spent his whole life... fighting like a wildcat for freedom, damn it!" "Kill me, kill me, as you don't want to give me a post"." "Did you listen?" "They didn't either." "I say we should be billeted to Madrid... and burn down parliament, the Royal Palace... and all the damn ministers." "The "Monte de Piedad"..." "Civil Guard headquarters and the water deposit." "Then after, a bunch of hangings, with Castelar..." "Pi, Figueras, Martos, Bicerra and the rest." "For being moderates, damn it, moderates!" "You are misfortunate because you haven't got justice." " Yes, sir." " But I am even more so." "There is no greater misfortune than dishonor." "We can stand anything, except conjugal infidelity." "Why does society taunt me so, when I am innocent?" "Am I not a model husband and father?" "That is true." "When have I ever been an adulterer?" "When?" "Let them say so." "Stop, friend." "I appreciate your help, but I must go alone." " I'll catch them in the act." " I..." "Silence, I say." "The law authorizes me to enact a terrible, wicked punishment." "Silence, I say." "Christ, here we go again with your damn attacks." " My poor thing, lost." " Adulteress." "You've eaten, haven't you?" "If I find out who gave you food, I'll kill him." "Give me that." "Father, don't scare us, get those lies out of your head." "Come here, you." " I saw him." "You can't deny it!" " Who did you see?" " The Duke." " The Duke?" "Yes, he's here." "I didn't remember, wait." "Here, here." "You can do us in now." "Go on." "We're there." "Rip our guts out." "Adulteress." " Go on, go on." " Both dead." "I have vengeance." "My honor." "The worst is over." "Poor thing." "He gets like that when he eats." " How strange." " Yes, whenever he eats meat." "They say meat is an enemy of the soul." "Whenever he eats it, he gets these attacks." "He says I'm having it away with a duke." "Look at me, in this state..." "Excuse me." "I'd like to talk to the man they call José Izquierdo." "At your service." " Who's is that hair?" " My wife's daughter's." " Where is she?" " In the cemetery." "Go on, lad." "Give the lady a kiss." "Come here." "He's scared of fine people." "Mr. Izquierdo, do you have a portrait of you niece?" " Why is he so badly dressed?" " I am poor." "I can't get a decent job." " Haven't you even the money for...?" " Absolutely not." "I'll bring you some lovely boots." "Mr. Izquierdo, I know who the boy's mother is." "You cannot bring him up or educate him." "I'm taking him." "I know I'm neglecting him." "You can help him because of your class." "Find me a job and I'll bring him up." "No, I'm not interested in deals." "We shall be friends, if you let me take this angel home." "I'll protect you." "What do you want?" "Money?" " If you could arrange something." " What?" "You rub shoulders with Castelar and Mr. de Pi." "Don't give me that." "I can't get you a post." "Well if I don't get to administer the Pardo, the boy stays here." "Ask for nothing." "I'll talk to my husband." "He'll recognize the boy and claim him." " Who do you love, lad?" " I won't stop him loving you." "I'll let you see him." "As for the Pardo, I'm not saying no." "It could be, I don't know." "I think a sum would be better." "The country is oppressed." "I spent my life fighting so the Spanish could be free." "More?" "Here." "No, silly, I have more." "Whore." " You teach him such things." " Go on, lad." "Don't say such things." " Do you love me?" " Tell her you do." " Yes." " But you're not going with her." "Because they have to give your father a post." "Ladies, we want to talk to you a minute." "My children have no shoes, if you could help..." "I have five and am pregnant." "I cannot work in the factory and my family is suffering." "My husband fell off a scaffold." "He's been in bed 3 months." "He has a lump in his chest and bleeds from his mouth." "We've nobody to help us, please." " I'll do what I can." " Please, miss." "Madam..." "Have you seen my pinafore?" "Yes, I see." "You look lovely." "It's new." "I'm not playing out so I don't get it dirty." "Whose are you?" "What's your name?" "Adoración." "She's the daughter of a bad woman they call Tough Mauricia." "She's lived here twice." "The Micaelas took her in but she ran away." " Now no one knows where she is." " She lives with her aunt, Severiana." "I heard my friend speak of her." "Miss Guillermina is fond of her." "Madam..." " I didn't paint my face." " No, I know you didn't." "You're very tidy." "Those pigs wanted to paint me, but I didn't let them." "You're naive and don't know how to deal with these people." "Leave it to me and don't worry, the boy will be yours." "How much were you going to offer, 10000 quarters?" "Give me them." "If I get it cheaper, I keep the difference." "Whatever you say." "Now, get some rest." "Think no more of it, leave it to me." " We won the lottery." " What do you mean?" "We won the lottery, it was a lovely number." "As soon as I saw it, I had a hunch." "Three fours, a zero and an eight." "It had to come up." "How much?" "How much did we win?" "We won the lottery." " What?" " I heard the master." " Hurry up." " What joy." "Quiet." "Let's see if we can hear." "The boys played two tenths and get 50000 quarters." "Villalonga, 25000." "Samaniego, half." "Here come the rabble." "Deogracias..." "Rafaela and Blas get 1200 quarters each." "The same for the coal man." "And Juana the cook wins 2400 quarters." " What's going on?" " The master has won the lottery." "Well, we all won a little." " Did you hear?" " The lottery is a step backwards." "The forethought of layabouts." "They should ban it, it kills saving." "Don't go." "Let them celebrate." "Come on, look after your patient." " Good afternoon, sir." " Hello." " But, what's going on?" " We won the lottery." " Who?" " Everyone in the house." "Poor Plácido didn't play this time." "You should include him in the list." "But he offered and took back his coin time and again... until he decided to spend it on anisette." "I hope he enjoyed it." "Poor thing, put him on the list." "What do you care?" "Let them be happy." "Today is a happy day in this house." "Congratulations to everyone." "You played 10 quarters." "Therefore, you get 1200." "No, I didn't..." "You're a lucky one, you win the lottery without playing." " But, I..." " You're so forgetful, Plácido." "You gave me the money to play for you." "Me?" "If you say so..." "I'm so forgetful." "We must celebrate." "I just found out." "I inform you that each must give 25% to my shelter... or God and St. Joseph will spoil your prize." "Woman, 25% is a lot for common people." "Ask St. Joseph and you'll see how I'm right." "Well, we'll see." "What?" "You can stop worrying, Pituso is yours." "I closed the deal, 6500 quarters." "What's left is for me." " I earned it." " Yes." "25% for them." "But 50% for you, heretic." "If not, you'll spend it at the pharmacy." "You choose." "I won the lottery with you, you're the big prize." " How do you feel?" " Fine." "For the first time in 20 days I'm well." "My head doesn't hurt." "I'm sweating but I'm not cold." "You don't have a fever." "Despite everything, I'm not tired, I can't sleep." " Are you sleepy?" " No." "Tell me something." "Where have you been going?" " When?" " In the morning, and one afternoon." "You must know everything." "It's my right." " Shopping." " I don't believe you." "It's true." "I'm putting together a layette." "Don't mock me." " Shall I tell you or not?" " Go on." "Well, here goes." "I'm going to have a child." " Don't joke about these things." " It's not a joke." " Does mother know?" " No one knows." "Are you sure?" "As sure as if I were hearing him run down the corridor." " As roguish as his father." " You know it's a boy?" "Yes." "If it were true, I'd wake the whole house right now." "In how many months?" "Soon." "Six?" " No." " Five?" " Three?" " Sooner." "Stop joking." "There's time enough to talk about it, I'll convince you." "I don't believe you." " Go to sleep." " Liar." "Sleep." "Earlier, I almost told Baldomero of your plan, but I didn't dare." "Obviously, I think this is very serious." "I don't think the lad is my grandson." "Haven't you thought that if his mother claims him... we could end up driven mad in a lawsuit?" "How can she claim him if she abandoned him?" "You're so naive." "If she does, I won't give him up." "I'll say I bore him." " Let them prove me wrong." " Don't talk madness." "You'd have to prove you gave birth to him." "When you see him, you'll understand." "I need proof, clear proof." "Well." "Come on." "Aunt, he eats orange peel." "He kicks like a donkey, picks up rubbish and throws it at us." " I've never seen such a savage." " We'll domesticate him." " He eats candles." " And urinates on the floor." "He'll learn." "He's been brought up differently to you." "Now, there's someone who wants to meet you." "But first, a piece of marzipan." "Do you want it?" " I want a potato." " This is delicious." " Potato." " Go on, eat it." "I want potatoes, damn it." "All right, I'll give you potatoes later." "My love, my son." "Come here." "Come here, darling." "Don't be afraid, come here." "My love, my son." "You're so handsome." "Give Grandmother a kiss." "Does he look like him?" "Does he look like him?" "The spitting image." "Exactly." "There's no doubt." "It's as if I were looking at Juan at 4." "And that woman... we can see from this mirror, is beautiful." "Well, love... take him home." "We mustn't rush." "First, you must talk to your husband." "I'll sound out his father." "The spitting image." " Exactly." " And you doubted." "What do you expect?" "I had to doubt." " It was a delicate matter." " I knew when you saw him..." "I'm going out." "I shall buy you a sailor suit... with a hat that says "Numancia"." "Don't run away." "Come here." "The Head of Treasury accepts the loan, at 13." "And he extends the bond to the nominal figure... at an interest of 12%." "You're tying up loose ends." "It's a scandal." "Poor country." "Baldomero isn't in favor." "He says we need proof." "We need to prove it." "And that any similarities are in our heads." "Let's see what Juan says." " Will they be here for long?" " I'll try to get rid of them." " Have they been gone long?" " Yes." "But father wanted to talk to me for half an hour." " Do you know what about?" " Yes, I know what about." " You have to tell me." " Tell you, tell you." "To tell you that your feelings are angelic... but your reason, in the clouds, is hallucinating." "My love, you've been tricked." "God, don't tell me that." "You fell for the coarsest of tricks." "Only you, with your innocence, would fall into such a trap." "If only you'd spoken to me." "I don't think Izquierdo is capable of..." " I'm much deceived or this is..." " No, poor Ido is incapable." "He saw the money to be made." "Juanín is your son, don't deny it." "I swear he isn't." "How can I tell you?" "No, that boy is Izquierdo's step-daughter, Nicolasa's son." "She died in childbirth." "Her son must be about the same age as mine." " If he were alive." " If he were alive?" "I'm speaking clearly, he is not alive." "You never spoke about this to me." "The last thing you told me was..." "I don't know." "I don't like to remember such things." "But I remember without wanting to." "You said..." ""I didn't see her again." "I tried to help her but couldn't find her"." "And it was true." "The whole truth." "But later, when we'd been married a year... something happened that I decided not to tell you." "Tell me." "It gives me gooseflesh to remember, but I will." "We were going to the opera and a letter came." "You gave it to me." "She wrote to you?" "She had someone else write, she can't." "I knew there was someone else and went to the meeting point." "I called you, because I had no one to turn to." "You did right." "Can I do anything?" "Call a doctor?" "Not anymore." "He's dying." "Never in my life have I felt what I felt that night... sadness gripped my soul." "I bought the most beautiful coffin I could... and had him taken to the cemetery in a luxury coach... with two horses adorned with plumes." "Only Fortunata's man was with him." "I saw him pass by San Luis, and down Montero Street... until he disappeared." "What happened afterwards?" "While her man went to the cemetery, I returned with her." "How can you live with that man?" "He is all I have." "I'm grateful to him." "Why won't you look at me?" "He doesn't want me to look at anyone, especially you." "Does he hit you?" "I'm grateful to him." "She'd deteriorated." "She was skinny and dirty." "She was dressed in foul-smelling rags." "Poverty, a dogs life... and the company of that brute had taken away her charms." "I waited for the man to return... and let him scrounge money from me." "I paid them so that they would leave and I've heard nothing since." "Poor Juanín." " Your mother saw the likeness too." " It's just imagination." "Besides, you worked her up." "I won't give him up." "I don't care, he's mine." "Of course, you paid for him." "You should sleep." "Hello, good morning." "How are things?" " Is the monster up yet?" " Yes, father has gone out." "He'll be sad to have missed you." "Were you very frightened?" "Juan said you got under a bench." " Is he out too?" " No, he's dressing." "Come through." "I was expecting you." "Sit down and tell me." "I'll be back." "I want to know what happened." "Before I tell you about parliament, I've got news." "Big news." "Out with it." "I've seen the last person you'd expect." " Here." " Who?" " Fortunata." " Fortunata?" "You can't imagine the change." "She's beautiful, elegant, transformed." "The session began in the afternoon and was suspended at 8." "I approached all the groups to smell what was cooking." "The ministry of influence was boiling." "Outside parliament, everyone conspired." "Zalamero and I took turns going out to give news to Serrano..." "Topete and others who were in a flat on De La Greda Street." "We said, "General, they don't understand." "It's about to reach boiling point"." ""They want rid of Castelar"." "He asked "Will they vote?"" " "Will you bring us the result?"" " It went against Castelar." " What if it had been in favor?" " Nothing would have happened." " Afterwards, Castelar said..." " Miss." "Excuse me." " Where did you see her?" " In Café Praga." "She was with a smartly dressed man." "I didn't recognize her until later." "She must've been in Paris." "It's the only explanation for the change." "Well, she might not have learned to read... but her body is unique and her figure is statuesque." " In silks, velvet, a hat..." " A hat?" "Yes, no headscarf anymore, but a hat." "And it suits her, I was stunned when I saw her." "I approached her surreptitiously, she'd recognized me and was shy." "Salmerón's speech was admirable." "And then Castelar spoke." "I can see that tanned face... the movement of his eyes and his graceful gestures." "I thought "What a mess, you'll soon see what we've planned."" " Leave it." " Won't your wife hear us?" " Don't worry." " You should've seem her." "I was stunned." "She looked good enough to eat." "Everyone in the cafe stared at her." "In a velvet coat, turquoise earrings." " Tell me everything, Jacinto." " I'll finish now and start again." "General Pavía put cannons in the street entrances." "Two shots in the air... and just as birds fly off upon hearing a clap... the republican rally dispersed." "It was that simple." "Start again while Juan gets dressed, please." "I'd be delighted, in a second." "Velvet coat, turquoise earrings..." " You told me that already." " I'll carry on." "When they left, I followed." "Alcalá Street, Peligros..." "Caballero de Gracia to Colmillo Street." "They called the night watchman, he opened and they disappeared." " Are you coming?" " Yes." "I'll be right there." "You filthy little savage!" "I'll kill you!" "Don't make such a fuss." "It's nothing." "Take that tiger cub out of my house or he'll be the death of me." "Look at this mess." "Wash him then, and clean the curtains too." "Don't worry, I will." "And watch him, I've enough with my own." "They were here two days." "The man left first, by train." "I expect the woman is still around Madrid somewhere." "Thank you." "Sorry, I thought you were someone else." "Bárbara says you're confused and don't know what to do with the boy." "I understand, I can see you are suffering." "I don't want you to worry." "Everything will be arranged." "He won't be thrown onto the streets." "Juan says angelic behavior disturbs society." "This has happened because you are so good." "We are determined to be perfect and end up receiving blows." "I want you to know that the boy will remain under my protection." "He won't visit us or any of the family." "It would be unseemly." "But I will protect him." "Yes, I'm fond of the lad too." "I was hopeful, but I had to demand proof." "I couldn't get carried away." "Thinking about it, I tell you in confidence... one day I went out, I was smiling to myself... and, before I knew it, I'd gone into the bazaar... and bought him this." "I was going to give it him... when it was confirmed he was my grandson... and he came to this house." "Juan." "Come up." " Are you still looking for her?" " Everywhere." "I'm sure when I see her, I'll feel nothing, but I want to see her." "Listen, that man was a swindler." "He's left Madrid." " What about her?" " Joaquinito Pez saw her yesterday." "She's wearing a black shawl and headscarf again." " Where did he see her?" " She had a bundle of clothes." " And she went in a pawn shop?" " Yes, you're an expert." " Didn't he follow her?" " That's up to you." "He would have, but he had an important meeting." " Well, I'm going." " I won't let you go on alone." " You're staying here." " Yes, sit with us." " Get in." " No, I'm staying." " Get in." " No, I'm staying."