"FORTUNATA AND JACINTA" "CHAPTER 8" " Good morning." " Good morning." "Sorry, Don Evaristo, you're very punctual." "How are you?" "Fine, Rubín, thank you." "Sit down." "Of course." "Here I am." "I'm truly sorry I'm so late." "I just got here myself." "I didn't mean today." "I haven't forgotten about your loan... but I can't pay you at the moment." "You're mistaken, Rubín." " I don't want to talk about that." " I thought you'd called me for..." "You're mistaken, and I'm sorry." "I don't badger my friends and these must be hard times for you." "It's getting better, thank you." "Thank you." "Thank you." " Tell me why you called." " You see..." "I met your sister-in-law recently." "My sister-in-law?" "Yes, your sister-in-law, Fortunata." "She is very poor, full of regrets and broken." "I spoke a while with her... and she asked me to negotiate a reconciliation." " What about Santa Cruz?" " They finished ages ago." "Since then, she's been living alone in isolation." "Crying over her mistakes, and using up her savings." "Until hard times have come." "I found out by chance." "I felt sorry for her, and decided to help." "Mr. Evaristo, you can't fool me." "Look, friend, when I talk seriously... you should know jokes seem impertinent." "Do you understand?" "It is indelicate of you to suppose I had an affair with her... and am trying to hide it, hypocritically fixing her marriage." "You have gone too far by half." " I didn't say that." " You flatter me... but I chopped my tail off long ago." "My reticence was merely a joke." "In any case, this is not a joking matter." "I would not place obstacles to such a solution." "I don't know what Maximiliano thinks, he never mentioned her again." "But I know that the protagonist in this matter would be my aunt." "We're not on the best of terms." "It would be best if you spoke to her." "Pay attention, Mrs. Lupe, the moneylender... has the greatest intellect in the family." "If you're tactful, you'll get on with her." "She likes to be the boss, to give orders and advice." "Flatter that side of her... keep up appearances, obey rules, don't ever lose your composure." "That's the main thing." "You have to achieve a mixture of submission and independence." "At the right time, give her all the money I give you... and beg her to keep it for you." "Refuse to accept a receipt." "I've read her like I read you." "She likes nothing more than to be trusted in financial affairs." "When you've conquered her, everything else will be easy." " I just saw her." " How is she?" "She's as gullible and naive as ever." " Did she look bad?" " Get away." "She had whole constellations in her eyes." "Poverty works wonders for some people." " Is she in need?" " She didn't say." "Maybe." " Mrs. Guillermina, how are you?" " Fine, I'm in a hurry." "It pains me that she's hungry, we should help her." " Go and see her." " Me?" "Yes, you." "You're used to getting everything on a plate." "This is a delicate matter I don't want the responsibility." "You're not a child, you must sort things out for yourself." " I should go and see her?" " Yes." "Don't be scared." "If you want to, do it." "And if not, don't." "I don't have the time to go." " Is something wrong?" " No, nothing." "Tell Mr. Villalonga I'm here." "Yes." "My dear Don Evaristo, how nice to see you." " I've come to complain, Jacinto." " About me?" "Yes, about you." "Not because of the damn canonry for that priest in Toledo." " Rubín, Nicolás Rubín." " I did what I could, Don Evaristo." "I wrote to Cárdenas." "I can hurry him a little, but he's slow." "He'll definitely get it." "It may take a while, but your friend will have his canonry." "Some time ago, I wrote a letter for another Rubín." "Is it your job to protect the family?" "I don't protect families, boy." "I take an interest in worthy people." "Fine, it won't be because of me." "I'll pressure Cárdenas some more." " Do you want to join us?" " No, thank you." " I have a table downstairs." " As you wish." "Don Evaristo, this is my brother Maximiliano." "Pleased to meet you." "How are you?" "My brother says you're not well." "Look at me..." "I don't know how long I've been like this." " But, what is the matter?" " What's the matter?" "The worst possible of all sicknesses..." "I'm 70." "Is that not enough?" "Where are you going?" "To María Street, we moved a few days ago." "I'm going the same way, we'll go together." " Where did you live before?" " In Chamberí." "We moved nearer the pharmacy where I work." " Do you mind?" " Not at all." "My legs aren't much help." "I don't trust them." "I was listening in the cafe." "You argue and talk in a way which is uncommon." "Calmly and very correctly." "You have a strong spirit and I must speak frankly." "Has Mrs. Lupe, mentioned a matter to you?" "It happens I am involved." " I warn you she wants to come back." " She wants that?" "If she didn't, why would I get involved in the matter?" "Do you understand?" "Yes, but things must be clear." "She already has my spiritual forgiveness." "The other, meaning reconciliation, is impossible." " Think it over." " I have done, and it's impossible." "In such matters, charity must play a part... once can't proceed merely with justice as a criteria." "You should talk to her." "Me?" "But, Don Evaristo..." "Yes, I won't back down." "You are a generous man and although I've seen little of her..." "I can assure you she has a good heart." "The last kiss." "Old Feijoo's adventure has become history." "We are starting a new life... and the old one will be only a memory, for you and for me." " Did you talk to him?" " You must be more distant." "I will do the same." "It is all over." "The man who loved you as a man loves a women no longer exists." "You are my daughter, not because we learn our roles... but because from now on, you'll be like a daughter to me... and I will behave as a father." "I've never been a father, but I might be good at it." "Everything will be all right and I can die peacefully." "The boy is good and decent." "Last night, he didn't look skinny." "He must have put on weight." "Well, you'll see for yourself." "At the end of the day, you must resign yourself." "Sacrifice pleasure and excitement... in order to respect society's laws." "Having a husband and a decent house... and walking the streets with a sign saying "For hire"... are very different things." "Two things can happen... you can fix things with him, and grow to feel affection... respect him, have children..." " I don't think so..." " You can't be sure." "Nature always does what you least expect." "I hope you do, because by looking after them... you can use up all the feelings your soul overflows with." "You'll settle down and not do anything stupid." "You might also find yourself about to be unfaithful to him." "In that case, try to preserve decorum... and decency." "That's the secret." "Principles are very nice, but I'll take manners." "You can break principles... but always keep up those blessed appearances." "My last recommendation is that if you can manage... to not let that simpleton Santa Cruz tempt you again... you'll have really achieved something." "There's your husband." "I don't think he'll come up, maybe he never will... but it doesn't matter, go to his house." "He doesn't bear any grudge against you." "Until next time, Mrs. Fortunata." "Good-bye, Don Evaristo." " Has Maxi gone?" " Yes, some time ago." "Buy him veal and pastries and the quince jelly for me." "I'm going to get that woman, I'll be back this afternoon." " What shall I give Don Nicolás?" " The leftover hake from yesterday." "Fry it with plenty of salt, it stinks." "Give him all or it, he won't even notice if it's off." "He's like a shark, he'll gobble up anything." "For dessert, the walnuts and syrup." "Give him the whole pot, let him finish them off." "They're almost inedible anyway." "Go in." "Give that to me." "Come on." "Go in." "He left no sign of it." " Who?" " Don Nicolás." " Of the rotten hake." " Did he say anything?" "He couldn't, his mouth was too full." "Go away now." "Go Go on." "The 5000 pesetas you gave me are here in the house." "It's a lot of money, I wanted to consult you." "You needn't consult me, do as you wish." "I trust you." "Well, let's get on with it." "You stay there." "Maximiliano." " Yes?" " Come here for a minute." "Come on." "Good afternoon." "I thought that..." " So, Aunt, you...?" " No, I'm not getting involved." "I just brought her so you can decide face to face." "This is premature." "Your severity is fine... but didn't you say we should give her money for food?" "Do you think we can keep up two houses?" " Leave me." " Well, now she's here, she'll stay." "I wash my hands of it." "If you come to an arrangement or not, fine." "I do enough letting you examine each other in my house." "But I want no more headaches." "If there's no agreement in two days, it's over." "Don't give me any more headaches." "Please God, no more headaches." "Do you still remember what I taught you?" " Some of it." " The months of the year, for example." "Yes." "What are you looking at?" "Nothing." " Are you looking at me?" " Can't I?" "Of course." "Fortunata!" "Fortunata!" " What do you want?" " Come here." "I'm as tall as you now." " Show me your feet." " No, leave it." "I want to see." "Come here." "Kiss me." "Slowly." "Slowly." "Calm down." "Don Evaristo." "Dear Fortunata, I came to see Mrs. Lupe." "I have business with her." "There's no one here, only Papitos in the kitchen." " Mrs. Lupe will be here in a minute." " Let me stay until she comes." "Of course." " How is everything?" " As you predicted." " That's good, then." " Of course." "There are much worse ways of living." "I'm not complaining." "A woman must constantly learn to defend herself." " She needs her feet on the ground." " I'm fine." "Of course you are, girl." "I can see." "My visit is over now, except for my business with Mrs. Lupe." "I'll bring you coffee." " Do you know something?" " What?" "She wants people to believe I courted her for a while." "Is it not true?" "I'd swear not." "Not out of respect for Jáuregui, who was my friend... but because she was never my type of woman." "But with my memory, I can't say for certain." " Are you here to see Mauricia?" " Yes, Mrs. Guillermina told us." "Number 8, we had to bring her to my house." " What happened?" " What do you think?" "She fell in the street, cracked open her head and got sick." " Is she better?" " No." "She's very ill." "The poor thing is dying." "This is to teach you to behave properly." "Maybe after this, you'll learn your lesson." "Yes..." "I've been bad." "Really bad." "Listen..." "Repent." "Don't leave it too late." "You're no innocent either." "And the day you cleanse your conscience... you'll need a scrubbing brush." "Here, have a drink." "This needs fixing." "My niece." "I know your face, from the Micaelas." "For many years." "In a few hours you will receive God." "The Creator of Heaven and Earth is coming to see you." "You'll think you don't deserve it... and even if you don't... he will come... and he will know why." "This is a friend of mine... an Italian, ma'am, his name is Mr. De Leopardi." " Madam." " He's a poor artist." "And what can I do for him?" "If you wish, well... when his holiness comes he can play the royal march." "Dear God, you think of such things!" "Stop your nonsense." "I don't want to see any groups." "Sweep the corridor, and anyone with candles, put them out." "And get rid of the rags that are hanging everywhere." " Take this." " Shall we put the boat in there?" "Yes, anything to do with the sea is godly." " And this one?" " Yes." " Are there any flowers?" " Yes, cloth and paper ones." "That's ugly." "Have someone cut some pine or oak branches." "We'll tie cloth flowers on the branches." "They'll be pretty." "Get the spoon from the drawer." "Pour out some from that bottle." " But it's..." " Medicine." "They give it to me as medicine." "Go on." "Repent, girl." "Don't leave it for later." "Repent everything, except the love that comes from within you." "That's not a sin." "Don't steal, don't get drunk... don't tell lies... but love... freely... whoever may fall." "It's great to be saved." " Did I say something wrong?" " What?" "The word "great" doesn't sound right." "It's the intention that matters." "Open your mouth." "Turn out the lights." "Leave the room, all these people should go home." " How is she?" " She has fallen asleep." "In that case, we'll wait." " How was the communion?" " Fine." " And how is Mauricia?" " Happy." "My child." "Come here, my child." "You take the girl in." "I'll wait here." "Which visitor do you like better?" "This, or the earlier one?" "I've been so bad, my darling child." "You do well to love the lady more than me... because I've been as bad as can be." "Severiana..." "Would you give me some..." "Yes, let them take you away from my side." "I don't deserve you." "When you're naughty, they won't scare you with the bogey man... they'll say, "your mother will come"." "But I don't mind." "That's her kind of Eucharist, a drink." "Did you see Jacinta?" "Did she speak to you?" " Does she know you?" " No." "You're pathetic." "If that bitch had done to me what she's done to you... if the greedy cow had taken my man... and one day I met her, I'd grab her by her hair... wrap it round her throat and strangle her with it." "No one can beat me, I'm tough Mauricia... who smashed in that scarf thief's head... who scalped Cepa... and scratched Mrs. Malvina's face." "Let go of me, you old bitch... or I'll bite off half of your face." "You, decent?" "Leaving one soldier and taking another?" "You, your heart is like a garden gate... anyone can walk in!" "Bitch, you disgusting bitch." "You wretch... you dribble more than a rabid dog." "Spittoon face." "You old bag, I'll give you a beating you won't forget." "I'll pull of your nose and spit in your eyes." "Let me go." "Come and lie down." "Calm down, calm down." "Last night, she had six attacks like this one." "If the doctor came, he could give her an injection." "Just a drop, poor thing." " Are you going to stay?" " Yes, you can go." "If she has another, call me or my husband." "Between us, we can control her." "Don't worry." "Die and come with me, Fortunata." "You'll see how happy we'll be together." "It's our place." "It must be... because we've never had anything here." "Nothing but our children." "Our children." "Severiana said she's always the same when she's delirious." "Saying she'll take the tabernacle for herself." "I don't know." "She laughed during the night, making my hair stand on end." "She came out with such sacrilegious comments..." "I was up all night, horrified... my stomach turned and I wished for morning." "You have to be good-hearted to watch over that woman... night after night, in that neighborhood." "Mrs. Guillermina said:" ""That's true charity"." "The rest donate money, but they sleep soundly in their own homes." "With Fortunata and a maid, we've spent three nights suffering..." "I've never spent worse nights in my life." "We should change the subject, what you say is very sad." " When will you open the shop?" " Right away." "They just have to install the gas, just a few more weeks." "The only question left is how are things at the pharmacy?" " Fine, everything is fine." " Do you get on with Ballester?" "He's a good person, we get on as colleagues." "I tell him he should invent a cure for consumption... or dog mucus." "That would be a gold mine." "What's important is to discover something." "You must come and see the shop." "It's on Pontejos Street." "Do you know it?" "Of course." " How is she?" " Sleeping." "Do you hear the trombone?" "The man plays like mad when he knows I'm here." "It's his way of reminding me I promised him clothes." " Has your husband any to spare?" " I'll look." "I'm going to the wood warehouse, I won't be long." "Take my carriage, I'll wait here." "The doctor says she won't get better." "She won't." "If she's no better..." "I'll bring her girl to see her this afternoon." "Yes, bring her." "Do you have children?" " No, madam." " Me neither." "But I like them so much, I'd even steal one." "I would too." "Have yours died, or did you never have any?" "I had one, madam." "Four years ago." " How long have you been married?" " Me?" "Five years." "I got married before you." " Before me?" " Yes, madam." "I had a boy, he died." "If he'd lived, I swear..." "Keep up appearances, observe the rules... and never lose your composure." "Never lose your composure." "Never." "I'm Fortunata." "I'm, I'm..." "I'm the..." "What's wrong?" "Aunt says you don't feel well." " I'm better." " Let's see..." "I'll bring you an antispasmodic and lemon syrup with bromide... and a quinine tablet." "You've a slight fever." "You must have caught a cold or inhaled fumes from a fire." "Try to sleep." "What's wrong?" " Nothing." " Sleep." "I've got it, an easy life." "Early morning mass... choir in the afternoon and evening, high altar when it's my turn... a stroll at sunset and that's that." " Canon of where?" " Orihuela, aunt." "The cathedral is awful, but maybe I'll get a transfer." " How do you feel?" " I'm fine now." "I have to invite certain people." "That Feijoo is a real gentleman." "Go on, go on." "Child..." "Say an Our Father for poor Mauricia." " Has she died?" " Yes, at half past nine." "As if she were waiting for me to arrive." "I have to go out, the auctions start today." "Watch Papitos, the salt-cod, the clean clothes... keep an eye on everything." "I can't take this, I'm going back out." "You stay for the sake of appearances." "I must talk to you." " To me?" " Yes, to you." "Come." "I have a friend whom I love very much, I'd give my life for her." "This friend has a husband, who is also an excellent person... but he makes her suffer constantly with his deceptions." "I said I would talk to you, to find out if you were seeing him." "I haven't seen him for ages." "If you had said otherwise..." "I'd have asked you to give my friend back some peace." "But, as things stand, I have little to add." "Will you never associate with this man again?" "Answer." "Would you associate with him again?" "Yes." "But, don't you know it is a terrible sin to desire the husband of another?" "Do you think we are savages and each can do as she chooses?" "You married for a name, didn't you?" "To be independent and run around freely." "I didn't marry for that, but because I thought things were different." "It's not my fault I don't love my husband." "Maybe you don't know that self-sacrifice is a virtues." "Renouncing happiness." "Open your eyes." "Open your heart once in a while." "They're taking her away." "Oh, my God." "Would you be good enough to chat to me another day?" "Whenever you wish."