"FORTUNATA AND JACINTA" "CHAPTER 7" "Get out!" "Go on, drunkard." "Here." "Look at the state of her." " Come on, open it." " Hurry." "Let go of that, you rogue." "Damn you to hell, swine!" "That's mine." "Give it to me." "Hey, give me that." "Go on, all of you." "Get out of here, or I'll call the police." "Run!" " Mauricia, get up." " Leave me alone." "Mauricia, you'll freeze here." "Get up, Mauricia." "It's me, Fortunata." "I don't know any Fortunata." " May I help you?" " Yes." "Thank you." " My name is Evaristo Feijoo." " Thank you, again." " I can get a coach." " No, I'll take her." " It's so cold, she'll soon come to." " As you wish." "Are you going?" "Why haven't you put your silk robe on?" " I was going to cook." " I'm busy tonight, some other time." "If you want, the maid can cook and I'll stay with you." "I can't stay." "What's wrong?" "What's wrong with you?" "Do I bore you?" "Are you tired of me?" "No, don't talk nonsense." "Sometimes it seems you want to run away... and not see me anymore." "That's not true, love." "If it were true, I couldn't take it, Juan." "Quiet, don't talk rubbish." "Quiet." " Weren't you busy?" " Yes." " What are you going to do?" " Forget about it." "Have you heard?" "It seems Mendini has fled to Viana." "They won't leave the Basque Provinces and Navarre." "I know them." "The bosses are just playing truant." "The day the government buys them, the war is over." "But, man..." "That's all there is to it." "The country is full of scoundrels." "The people are hungry." "The war doesn't end... because the military are happy with it." "I've seen it first hand, no one wants peace." "Whilst both sides are satisfied with it... they'll destroy us." "Strong words, chaplain." "There is news." "I tell you in confidence." " What is it?" " Sagasta is upset." " His secretary told me." " He's got toothache..." "I don't know why, all I know is that things are very bad." "Very bad indeed." "And the problems run deep." "Friend, confess that your news is nothing but nonsense." "Well, Mr. Evaristo... think what you like, I wash my hands... but I hold that before the month is out..." "Prince Alfonso will be on the throne." "No, never." "I'd rather have the cantonals again." "But, can you imagine Prince Alfonso coming?" "And Lady Isabel behind him." "A nice future." "But, who does the Prince have on his side?" "Well?" "Answer me." "No one that matters." "Those who couldn't defend his mother when we got rid of her." "If you want, Don Basilio, we'll go over those Alfonsists." " The rats." " Alfonsism is a crime." "A crime against the nation." "We don't know what will come from the war." "If Don Carlos wasn't a fool, he'd be in Madrid." "What has that to do with it?" "What does it prove?" "Be logical, gentlemen." "That boy won't come." "I bet my life." " But Don Alfonso..." " No." "He'll be convinced." "Give me reasons." "He won't come, that's that." " That we'll see." " No way, no." "What you are hearing, you will see." "And soon, very soon." "Jacinta?" "What are you doing?" "Waiting for you." "I thought you'd gone to bed." "No." "I can see that." "Sit down." "I'm very tired, I had a terrible day." "Me too." "The accused takes the stand, you may begin." "You are not the accused, I am." "For putting up with more than anyone should ever... for being stupid and not daring to raise my voice." "What's wrong?" "I've heard you entertain a woman." "Don't deny it, I know it's true." " I noticed some time ago." " How?" " Many things." " Tell me." "Why, if you always deny it?" "It's true this time, I accept it is true." " With that woman?" " Yes." " Don't think I will forgive you." " I don't... but I have the right to be heard." "I have a choice." "You'll be right and I shouldn't have asked for explanations." "I should have kept quiet and let you deceive me." "You have done right." "The only thing I can do is try to explain." "Why don't you start?" "You're making me nervous." " I met her again a few months ago." " Don't name her." "She was married." "She'd been passed from one to another." "She'd married a fool, not a man, incapable of being anyone's husband." "The fool tormented her." "She ran away from home on the day she was married... onto the streets, like her worst times." "I found her and she begged for help." "She has no education nor trade... she can only make a living from her beauty." "I said, "I'll give you a house, you do what you can"." " Do you expect me to believe that?" " You're wrong." "You imagine she's a seductress that drives men mad." "That cast of woman exists in France, but not in Spain." "They would have to import them." "No, she is not like that." "She was born to a dark life, to knit and look after lots of children." "My conscience made me protect her, I feel no affection for her." "Does she still love you?" "She has that weakness." "She's got it into her head that she loves me, just like before." "She's been around, but was always faithful and consistent." "I needed to explain, and I have done." "Actions should not be judged superficially... one must look beneath the surface." "You've set her up in a house, visited her and had your fun." "But I swear I did it reluctantly, like a duty... thinking of my wife and wanting to finish with her." "I give myself up to you, judge me." "Tell me what you want me to do." "Break up, break up with that woman forever." "See her no more, don't even greet her on the street." "Consider it done, I want that as much as you." "Say you don't love her and you won't see her again." "You know that only too well." "I'll only say good-bye." "Write her a letter." "As you wish." "I'll do as you command." "The mistress wants to see the girl." "She's coming." "Hello." "Give me a kiss." "She asks the Virgin never to separate her from you." " To look on you always." " I know she loves me." "I love her too, she's good and studies." "Very elegant." "I hadn't seen your new dress." "She wanted you to see it." "I can't test you today." "On Thursday, we'll study the catechism." "She knows it by heart, Miss." "She knows all about eating manna... and the animals Noah put in the Arc." "And she can read better than my husband." "Good, next month we'll send you to school... to learn good manners, a little French and piano." "She'll be a teacher or governess." "Eat something." " What about that woman?" " She's drinking again." "They find her passed out all over Madrid." " It's shameful." " Poor thing." "That's why I wanted to talk to you... maybe Mrs. Guillermina can place her somewhere." "I know the Micaelas won't take her... but in a hospice or asylum." "At least to stop her bad example." "All right, we'll see." "Adoración, I must say good-bye." "Good-bye." "Good-bye." "Oh, doors of paradise... what hands open you." " A sight for sore eyes, Don Manuel." " You're looking well." " I get by." "How are you?" " Not bad." "You've such friends here, but you're always abroad." "Excuse me, I was leaving." " Good-bye, Don Plácido." " Good-bye." "Guillermina didn't tell me you were in Madrid." "Every time I return to Spain Guillermina has got worse." "She fleeced me as soon as I got home." " Now she wants me to buy her a house." " She's a saint." "Where's that traitor?" "Hello, godfather." " You look younger than ever." " How are you?" " I heard you weren't well." " I get tired." "Something in here." "They say it's nerves." "You're always abroad." "He doesn't care to see us." "You know I can't tolerate Spain." "The more I come, the less I like it." "There are only three good things here." "Albillo grapes, the Prado Museum and the Civil Guard." "What do you think of the King we've brought?" "He's handsome, he was on the train with me to Dover." "I gave him a splendid watch... and said he was going to govern a country of ingratitude and envy." "There's no point dealing with these people." "Manolo, speaking ill of our country again." "Hello." "Seriously, once you cross into France... you don't get a single flea-bite." "What have fleas to do with it?" "They have fleas too." "They don't, godfather." "It's the result of general cleanliness." "Go to San Sebastián, you get eaten alive." "My God, what arguments." "And why is everyone here in the streets or in taverns?" "Because the houses are inhospitable, uninhabitable." "They may be bad, but foreigners have no shutters... they let the sun stream in from dawn, you can't sleep." "Awful." "Do you think anyone there sleeps until midday?" "I'm just saying it makes a sad impression when I cross the border." "There's nothing to admire." "All I see is rudeness, mad manners, savageness, poverty... men wrapped in blankets, skinny women..." "Our race is malnourished, and it's nothing new." "Speak to my nephew, tell him we are needy." " He'll help." " He's angry with me." " He told me." " You can get anything out of him." " I'll try." " Is he talking of religion?" "No, he's talking about fleas." "Nothing about religion." "He's outrageous, but the main thing is to get money from him." "I'm going." "But for two centuries, no restoration has lasted very long." "Spanish society can not be counted upon." "I must speak frankly." "I love you to much to be mysterious." "I know you're reasonable and take things on board." " Do you want some coffee?" " No, come here, don't be scared." "I think only of you." "My wife has found out about us." "Last night we fought and she fainted, we had to call a doctor." "My parents also found out." "I can cope with anything, except upsetting my parents." "So last night..." "I decided..." ""Even if it kills me... this must end"." "Don't cry." "If you do that, I'm lost." "I expected this." "You've known for days." "I'll always love you, but I can't see you again." "Madrid is like a village, we are both married... we're breaking the laws of men and of God." "Society would become hell if people did as we do." "Have you never thought that?" "My heart told me." "But I deserve it... we have both been bad... but I have been worse than you." "Behaving as I did with that family." "You laughed at me when I was sad at what I had done." "You laughed at me." "You called me a fool and laughed!" "Right... we have talked enough." "You're leaving?" "You're so good, such a saint." "I'll be sorry, but I'll find consolation." "Nothing lasts forever." "Fresh air!" " We'll be friends..." " Do you know what I say?" " You're not wanted here anymore." " Don't be angry." "Get out!" "There's no reason to make such a fuss." "Calm down, girl." "Open the door." "My body will be empty, empty." "She condemns me by taking my husband, for he is mine." "I have had his child, she has not." "She'll see, they'll see." "If she hadn't moved he'd have run her over." "You're wrapped up well." " Do I know you?" " Yes." "And I know you." "Your name is Fortunata." "I'm Evaristo Feijoo." "Of course." " Where are you going?" " Home." "This way?" "I missed my way, I don't know why." "I'll take you home." "Capellanes, Rompelanzas..." "Olivo, Ballesta, San Onofre, Hortaleza, Aranco." "That's the way." "Come on." "I'm honorable and I always have been." "You're not well, something has happened to you." "Trust me." "But, do you doubt that I have been...?" "Honorable?" "I don't doubt it, child." "Not at all." "You may come in." "How do you feel?" "Today, I'm better." "I've been very ill recently, my head was bursting." "I know you came to see me." "How did you know I like flowers and plants?" "I didn't know." "Well, I like them." "I awaited your delivery each day... the truth is, I feared you'd stop sending them." "I'll never tire of sending flowers." "Especially now I can see you." "But, I..." " I must say I am..." " Honorable." "Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow." "I know." "I wasn't going to say that." "What do you mean?" "I'm very bad." "I deserve all that happens to me for the outrages I've committed." "It can't be so bad." " If I could confide in you..." " Try me." "This arrived yesterday." " From whom?" "Santa Cruz?" " How do you know?" "I've known all about you for a while now." "You needn't read the letter." "He says good-bye with advice and sends 4000 quarters." " He didn't overdo it." " I want to return it." "To put it in an envelope and send it with no explanation." " What do you want me to say?" " What you think." "Well, here goes." "Returning the money is romanticism and inappropriate in these times." "One should only return stolen goods... and you had a right to that and much, much more." "Now, listen to me." "Speak." "I shall take you from dreamland and place you in practical territory." "I won't take the money." "Then he'll laugh even more." "Have you any savings?" "I've got about 150 pesetas." "That's nothing..." " How will you live?" " I want to be honorable." "Wonderful." "But I don't see how not eating makes one honorable." "Do you intend to work?" "What as?" "The 4000 quarters will allow you time to think about it." "So keep the money and forget the matter." " Maybe you're right." " I am." "I've been to Rome, the Philippines, India... the small islands of Polynesia... but when I look back over my life... the landscapes of the five continents disappear... and I remember only the moonlit nights in Cuba... those mangroves, like gardens in the middle of the sea." "Cuba, is the only thing that stuck in my mind." "You've had something to tell me all afternoon." "No." "I'm enjoying listening." "You always talk about lovely things." " About countries I've never seen." " But you want to say something." "Yes." "I've been asking myself something for days." "What?" "What I would do if he called or appeared at the door again." "Do you want to tell me?" "I'm very foolish." "If that man spoke even half a word to me..." "I'd forgive him and love him again." "You are as soft as butter." " I can't help it." " You've told me nothing I don't know." "People like you usually live a dog's life." "There's no greater misfortune than having too big a heart." "Having a big stomach, brain or liver... are problems too, but less so." "I shall shrink your heart to balance things out." " What?" " To balance things." " How will you do it?" " It will take many lessons... but it's the only way to prevent you being miserable forever." "This world is a pipe with many holes... it must be tuned to play well." "You don't know the half of it." "You're like a new-born baby thrown into the world... and you don't know where to go." "You want to return the money you are given... and you fall two or three times for the same person." "A nice future." "But I'll teach you something you don't know." "What?" "How to live." " May I speak of you?" " Of course." "What road will you take?" " When?" " When you start living a normal life." "Will you ask your husband's forgiveness?" "Jesus, what a thought." "Have I said something stupid?" "Anything's better than going back to Maximiliano." "Even poverty?" "Do you know an honest trade that makes money?" " No." " Then... it's home to your husband, or the street with Tom, Dick and Harry." "Maybe someone will turn up." " I want to be honorable." " With or without food?" " You say things that confuse me." " Why?" "Because you don't want to think about them." "All this talk of honor... there's nothing so easy to say, and so difficult to achieve." "But I want to be honorable." "Without going back to your husband?" "Without going back." "I want you to listen to me carefully." "You have no choice but to accept help from a man." "You have to go out and fish for a stranger... on the streets and in theaters..." "Right... imagine you've gone and cast your line... someone has bitten and you've reeled him in." "What have you caught?" "Me." "Yes, I'm already out of the water and struggling." "No, no." "I'm serious." "I'm a bit old, but I think I'm good for everything." "Inside and out, I'm worthier than most men." "I have nothing to do, I have an income." "I'm alone in the world." "I live the good life and can give the same to who I wish." "It's you who must decide." "My proposal allows you to be as honorable as you want." "We'll find a discreet house to meet in... and conduct our relationship." "The more honorable, the better." "We will live without scandal." "You will have complete freedom to come and go as you wish." "Without deception." "I want you to be loyal, as I will be." "And when you get tired, you tell me." "I was in a hurry and forgot your flowers." "It doesn't matter." "It's the first time, but I promise it will be the last." " How do you like it here?" " It's fine." "I just moved in." "It's best to be a saint, but as we can't be... we will be formal and won't give a bad example." "Calm on the inside and decorous outside." "We'll try to make a little paradise." "Give me a coin." "Carry on playing." "It reminds me of the Micaelas." "On Sundays there was music outside the wall... and the nuns let us dance a while." "But it was always too short." " Here already?" " Yes, girl." "I'm here already." "I like finding you here." "I spend more time with you each day." "I'm not keeping an eye on you, I just like it." "The old bachelor doesn't like solitude anymore." "Stay there." "You're prettier every day." "I don't condone robbery, lies or anything vile or cowardly." "Nor the neglecting of military discipline." "In that I'm very strict." "But in all that has to do with love... it's never entered my head that it could be a crime." "For me, there are eight commandments, I don't keep the other two." "If I'm told someone robbed... killed, slandered, or caused a scandal..." "I get angry and protest." "But if I'm told so and so cheated on her husband... or that a girl has eloped, I don't care." "Of course, for appearances sake..." "I act shocked and say, "How awful, gentlemen, how awful"." "But inside, I laugh and say..." ""Go forth and multiply, that's why we're here"." "I know absolute fidelity doesn't exist." "And I also know that in that part of life... being human is not the same as being weak." "Then, you wouldn't mind if I went with another man?" "Is that what you mean?" "I mean I would understand it." "I wouldn't come with a gun and shoot you." "I'd take my hat and leave your house." "Would it hurt a little?" " Do you want to know?" " Of course." "It would be the first time in a very long life... that something like that would hurt and pain me." "Satisfied?" "I won't go with anyone or hurt you." "Are you leaving?" "Yes, I didn't want to wake you, I stayed watching you sleep." "How do I sleep?" "Like a baby." "Come here." " What were you thinking?" " When?" "Now, when you looked at me." " You were asleep." " I wasn't, I could see you." "What were you thinking?" "About my bad luck, not being twenty years younger... not meeting you earlier." "I'd have avoided all the blows you've been dealt." "I'd have protected you, and maybe even made you happy." "Of course." "Tell me something." "If I were single, would you marry me?" "No, because my ideas about that haven't changed." "I still think marriage is stupid." "I'll go to the next life without changing my mind." "I know that fleetingness is a condition of love... and promising to be faithful forever... is to shackle yourselves, becoming each other's prisoner." "Infidelity is nothing more than a law of nature... that wants to impose itself on social despotism." "No, I wouldn't have married you." "I'd have loved you and tried to make you happy... but without thinking of lifetimes, or years, or months... or even weeks... day by day, without promising anything... so we would never cease to be free." "I try to understand, but sometimes it's not easy." "There's nothing to understand." "I'm an old fool who thinks aloud... and likes to be listened to." "I shall go." "Don't you want me to go?" "How have you been feeling?" "Why did you call me?" "It's simple, doctor." "I've always walked straight... now, to do so, I have to think about it." "Before, my hearing was perfect... in Havana, my sight allowed me... to distinguish the markings and colors of the flags... on the watchtower from Atarés Castle." "That must have been very difficult." "Yes, very, but I could see them." "Now you can't see or hear well." "Your bones ache, you get tired... and you've started hiring a coach for journeys you used to make on foot." "That's right." "Well, my dear Don Evaristo..." "I don't think I need explain." "I would call what's worrying you a bad patch." "Your bones are old and you've had many a Christmas." "You've never been in a chemist's or taken a single medicine." "Well, now you've no choice." " It was madness." " What?" "Nothing." "I was taking to myself." "You must have noticed that for some time now... that my health is not good." "How old do you think I am?" " Sixty?" " I'm almost seventy." "I conserved my appearance, but nature has abandoned me." "I can't rebel against it anymore, I must forget myself... and worry about you." " I won't last long." " Don't say that." "I'm like a clock that has chimed for the last time... although it still works a little, it doesn't tell the time anymore." "I have to think, and be prepared." "To look out for you, insure you against stupidity." "I won't die without sorting out a practical life for you." "Give me a coin." " I could've told him not to play." " No, you did well." "We made a paradise but we all must know... that paradises made by men don't last long, if they are real." "You should throw him many coins so he never stops playing." " Take that." " Hit him, hit him." "Mrs. Fortunata!" "Mrs. Fortunata!" " Is something wrong?" " Don Evaristo can't come." " Come with me." " I'll be right down." "Sit down." "Why are you so tired?" "Your man was running, I thought I should hurry." "It's nothing in particular." "The doctor says I shouldn't go out, but I'm better than I was." "I'm looking after myself because I still have things to do... that's what I wanted to talk to you about." "Maybe you won't like what I have to say... but there's no alternative... after much pondering about you." "You must go back to your husband." " But that's impossible." " We'll make it possible." "That's the worst thing you could say." "I understand." "You aren't going to die, you will get better." " Besides, I doubt he'd forgive me." " Everything is forgivable." "It's a matter of strategy." "Why not?" "I'm afraid for you." "If I leave you alone, passion will drag you down again." "You'll fall back into a bad life." "You need a legal impediment... and that's what I want you to have." "You fear living with your husband because you don't love him." "I'll never love him." "True... but it can all be fixed." "I don't want to bother you any more today... or get bothered myself."