De ast\u0103 dat\u0103, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 plec c\u0103lare \u0219i, fiindc\u0103 era asupra iarmarocului de la Duminica Mare, rugai pe prietenul meu Tasache Cr\u0103c\u0103uanu, cel mai vestit hipolog sau, mai bine zis, geamba\u0219 de pe vremuri, s\u0103-mi \u00eenchipuie un cal potrivit pungii mele \u0219i \u021bintei ce urm\u0103ream. Astfel, spre seara mai sus-pomenitei sfinte duminici, numai ce-l v\u0103d pe Tasache al meu intr\u00e2nd \u00een ograd\u0103 \u0219i duc\u00e2nd de d\u00e2rlogi un soi de dihanie, pe care cu un prisos de bun\u0103voin\u021b\u0103 ai fi putut-o lua drept cal.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, m\u0103i Tasache, zisei eu ie\u0219indu-i \u00eenainte \u0219i de-abia st\u0103p\u00e2nindu-mi r\u00e2sul, da de unde dracu ai prins tu dihania asta \u0219i mi-o v\u00e2ri \u00een ograd\u0103 cu at\u00e2ta ifos?<\/p>\n
\u2014 De unde? Ia, din iarmaroc, dup\u0103 ce am dat 50 de lei unui rom\u00e2n de la munte.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Puteai s\u0103 te duci dracului cu rom\u00e2nul \u0219i cu muntele t\u0103u cu tot; da ce vrei s\u0103 fac eu cu m\u00e2\u021ba asta, bre?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cu m\u00e2\u021ba asta? Ai s-o pui pe gr\u0103un\u021be \u0219i pe s\u0103ceal\u0103 \u0219i, \u00een dou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni, n-ai s-o mai cuno\u0219ti. E o iap\u0103 de ras\u0103, din soiul lui popa Gheorghe de la C\u0103lug\u0103reni.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Poate o m\u00e2\u021b\u0103 de soi, m\u0103i Tasache! mi se pare c\u0103 rom\u00e2nul dracului te-a legat la ochi \u0219i, \u00een loc de iap\u0103, \u021bi-a v\u00e2ndut o m\u00e2\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u00e2\u021b\u0103, nem\u00e2\u021b\u0103, ai s\u0103 vezi, numai mersul ei face mai mult dec\u00e2t am dat.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, \u0219i adic\u0103 ce a\u0219a de stra\u0219nic mers are, de crezi tu c\u0103 face mai mult de 50 de lei?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Merge la gebea, de po\u021bi s\u0103 dormi pe ea \u0219i s\u0103 duci pe palm\u0103 paharul cu ap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, m\u0103i pr\u0103p\u0103ditule, nu cumva crezi tu c\u0103 eu m-am hot\u0103r\u00e2t s\u0103-mi str\u0103mut domiciliul pe spatele unei m\u00e2\u021be sau s\u0103 duc de pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt apa sf\u00e2ntului Ilie din cer? \u0218i, mai la urm\u0103, ce m\u00e2ncare-i gebeaua aceea a ta?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gebeaua? gebeaua e un fel de mers armenesc, adic\u0103 \u00eempr\u0103\u0219tiat \u0219i leg\u0103nat; merge f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 salte; rari cai merg la gebea!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, am priceput; acum vino de st\u0103 la mas\u0103 cu noi, \u0219-apoi te po\u021bi duce la dracu cu toate gebelele tale.<\/p>\n
\u0218i iat\u0103 cum \u00een sf\u00e2nta zi de Duminica Mare m\u0103 trezii st\u0103p\u00e2nul \u00een regul\u0103 al unei iepe mici \u0219i slabe, care mergea la gebea \u0219i care urma s\u0103 fie tovar\u0103\u0219a odiseei ce pl\u0103nuiam.<\/p>\n
Oricum, dar Tasache al meu avusese dreptate: dup\u0103 dou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni de gr\u0103un\u021be \u0219i de s\u0103ceal\u0103, Pisicu\u021ba \u2014 a\u0219a o botezasem pe iap\u0103 \u2014 reintrase \u00een deplin\u0103tatea formelor alese \u0219i dr\u0103g\u0103la\u0219e, pe care i le \u00eensemnase soiul din care hipologul meu Tasache zicea c\u0103 se trage. Parc-o v\u0103d \u0219-acum: castanie peste tot, cu botul mic \u0219i cu n\u0103rile largi, cu capul fin \u0219i t\u0103iat pe ni\u0219te linii dulci \u0219i bine hot\u0103r\u00e2te, cu ochii negri, mari \u0219i vioi, cu coama bogat\u0103, cu g\u00e2tul gros \u0219i puternic, cu pieptul lat, cu trupul sprinten \u0219i sub\u021bire, cu \u0219oldurile largi, cu piciorul fin \u0219i nervos, cu copitele mici \u0219i u\u0219or \u00eenclinate, Pisicu\u021ba mea avea mai mult \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219area unui lucru de art\u0103 dec\u00e2t a unui cal de ham. \u0218i, de unde ai fi crezut c\u0103 greutatea unei pene ar fi fost de ajuns ca s\u0103-i fr\u00e2ng\u0103 mijlocul \u00een dou\u0103, nici m\u0103car nu se \u00eendoi c\u00e2nd eu \u00eemi a\u0219ezai pe spatele ei volumul respectabil al persoanei mele cu \u00eentreg tarhatul meu de drum… Ce voi\u021bi? era iap\u0103 din soiul lui popa Gheorghe de la C\u0103lug\u0103reni…<\/p>\n
Plecai… Muntele Pietricica, f\u0103c\u00e2nd pe st\u00e2nga fa\u021b\u0103 r\u0103s\u0103ritului, \u021binea \u00eenv\u0103luit \u00eenc\u0103, \u00een umbra-i colosal\u0103, ora\u0219ul adormit. Cel mult dac\u0103, \u00een aerul limpede al dimine\u021bii, se \u00een\u0103l\u021bau, ca de\u0219teptate din somn, sub \u00eent\u00e2ile raze ale soarelui crucile cu fe\u021be sclipitoare ale bisericilor; iar valurile de lumin\u0103 ale r\u0103s\u0103ritului dep\u0103rtat, lunec\u00e2nd pe deasupra cre\u0219tetului st\u00e2ncos al Pietricic\u0103i, \u00eentindeau, peste ad\u00e2ncul v\u0103zduhului, o punte aerian\u0103 de pulbere aurit\u0103, care mergea s\u0103-\u0219i rezeme cap\u0103tul dimpotriv\u0103 pe negurile sure, \u00een care se p\u0103reau cufundate p\u00e2n\u0103 la g\u00e2t piscurile viorii ale mun\u021bilor din apus…<\/p>\n
Mersesem trei ceasuri f\u0103r\u0103 oprire \u0219i Pisicu\u021ba \u00eemi aduse aceasta la cuno\u0219tin\u021b\u0103 gem\u00e2nd \u0219i str\u0103nut\u00e2nd… Era obosit\u0103. Desc\u0103lecai sub un plop b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u0219i stufos de pe marginea drumului, luai \u0219aua din spatele Pisicu\u021bei, o frecai la ochi, o tr\u0103sei de urechi, o m\u00e2ng\u00e2iai pe obraz \u0219i o s\u0103rutai drept pe mijlocul botului; ea, m\u0103gulit\u0103 de aceast\u0103 nea\u0219teptat\u0103 dragoste, \u00eentinse capul ei dr\u0103g\u0103la\u0219 \u0219i-l rezem\u0103 pe um\u0103rul meu… Iat\u0103 pentru ce-i \u00eenvoii s\u0103 pasc\u0103 slobod\u0103 patlagina, troscotul \u0219i chirul colb\u0103it de pe marginea drumului; iar eu desf\u0103cui \u0219i \u00eentinsei pe iarb\u0103, mai deoparte, mantaua mea imens\u0103, cu care a\u0219 fi putut acoperi \u00eentregul nostru emisfer; aprinsei o \u021bigar\u0103 \u0219i m\u0103 lungii pe spate, ca un alt Prometeu, la umbra stufoas\u0103 a plopului… At\u00e2t numai c\u0103 pe Prometeu \u00eel ciupeau de p\u00e2ntece \u0219i de nas vulturii cu pliscuri de fier ai lui Zefs, \u00een timp ce pe mine m\u0103 pi\u0219cau de spate \u0219i de ceaf\u0103 o \u00eentreag\u0103 republic\u0103 de furnici, peste a c\u0103ror \u021bar\u0103 se ab\u0103tuse \u2014 se vede \u2014 o margine din poalele nesf\u00e2r\u0219it de lungi ale mantalei mele; \u0219i aceasta tocmai atunci c\u00e2nd priveam mai inspirat, prin re\u021beaua frunzelor plopului, albastrul ad\u00e2nc \u0219i limpede al cerului, c\u00e2nd sufletul meu era gata s\u0103 str\u0103bat\u0103, pe o raz\u0103 de lumin\u0103, taina lumilor nev\u0103zute, c\u00e2nd inima mea \u00eencepuse s\u0103 bat\u0103 sub pintenul dureros sau dulce al amintirilor, c\u00e2nd str\u0103lucita mea \u00eenchipuire era s\u0103 mai adauge, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, o nestemat\u0103, \u00eenc\u0103, la cununa nemuririi mele!!…<\/p>\n
Cuminte \u00eens\u0103 ca totdeauna, \u00eemi c\u0103utai de treab\u0103; l\u0103sai cerul \u00een pace s\u0103-\u0219i cearn\u0103 azuru-i ad\u00e2nc \u00een pic\u0103turi albastre prin re\u021beaua deas\u0103 \u0219i mi\u0219c\u0103toare a frunzelor de plop, razele de soare s\u0103 se T\u0103cut, singur \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 tov\u0103r\u0103\u0219ie.<\/p>\n
topeasc\u0103, \u00een tonuri de aur, pe fundul vioriu \u0219i dep\u0103rtat al mun\u021bilor, v\u00e2ntul am\u0103gitor s\u0103 s\u0103rute florile \u0219i s\u0103 fug\u0103, iar florile \u00een\u0219elate s\u0103 plece \u00een urm\u0103-i capul \u0219i s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103, cu lacrimi de rou\u0103… \u0219i-mi umflai mantaua de-o arip\u0103, o t\u00e2r\u00e2ii p\u00e2n\u0103 dincolo de \u021bara neagr\u0103 a furnicilor cu din\u021bii de cri\u021b\u0103, o scuturai a\u0219a de puternic, \u00eenc\u00e2t st\u00e2rnii o groaznic\u0103 vijelie p\u00e2n-\u00een dep\u0103rtare \u0219i surghiunii, din s\u00e2nul dulce al patriei, \u00een \u021b\u0103ri str\u0103ine \u0219i necunoscute, o sumedenie de furnici \u00eend\u0103r\u0103tnice, care se aca\u021baser\u0103 de mantaua mea, hot\u0103r\u00e2te s\u0103 m\u0103 urm\u0103reasc\u0103 cu r\u0103zboi chiar dincolo de hotarele lor!… \u0218i fiindc\u0103 buna-cuviin\u021b\u0103 cere, c\u00e2nd te afli \u00een largul naturii, s\u0103 cuge\u021bi c\u00e2t o plo\u0219ni\u021b\u0103 cel pu\u021bin, m\u0103 mul\u021bumii doar s\u0103 g\u0103sesc cusur frunzelor de plop c\u0103 fac prea mare g\u0103l\u0103gie degeaba \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 cuv\u00e2nt, c\u0103, adic\u0103, la \u00een\u0103l\u021bimea la care se afl\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 ca o adiere c\u00e2t de u\u0219oar\u0103 s\u0103 le bage \u00een seam\u0103, ele totu\u0219i se clatin\u0103 cu zgomot, lovindu-\u0219i unele de altele discul lor lat \u0219i greoi, aninat, f\u0103r\u0103 cump\u0103neal\u0103, de o coad\u0103 lung\u0103 \u0219i sub\u021bire… N-a\u0219 putea spune tocmai hot\u0103r\u00e2t dac\u0103, \u00een timp de vreo dou\u0103 ceasuri lungi, am stat de\u0219tept \u0219i am visat sau dac\u0103 am dormit \u0219i am cugetat, dup\u0103 cum iar\u0103\u0219i n-a\u0219 putea l\u0103muri cam ce hotar ar putea fi \u00eentre vis \u0219i aievea; at\u00e2ta \u0219tiu c\u0103, la de\u0219teptare, m\u0103 trezii cu sf\u00e2ntul soare aca\u021bat de v\u00e2rful plopului.<\/p>\n
Din albastrul \u0219ters al cerului ad\u00e2nc, soarele, alb de fierbinte ce era, ploua cu foc peste capetele noastre; nici o suflare de v\u00e2nt nu mi\u0219ca aerul \u00eenv\u0103p\u0103iat; \u00een f\u00e2ne\u021be nici un fir de iarb\u0103 nu se cl\u0103tina; chiar plopul neast\u00e2mp\u0103rat se lini\u0219tise \u0219i, de pe verdele ginga\u0219 al foilor lui \u00eencremenite, lumina soarelui se r\u0103sfr\u00e2ngea \u00een v\u0103zduh ca de pe mii de mici oglinzi aeriene. \u00centreaga fire r\u0103sufla greu… Cel mult dac\u0103 cosa\u0219ul r\u0103gu\u0219it, locuitor nev\u0103zut al miri\u0219tii uscate, \u0219i greierul de c\u00e2mp, negru \u0219i sprinten st\u0103p\u00e2nitor al umbrei din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u021bia \u00eemb\u0103ls\u0103mat\u0103 a florilor, mai \u021b\u00e2r\u00e2iau a ar\u0219i\u021b\u0103!…<\/p>\n
Dup\u0103 alte dou\u0103 ceasuri de gebea sau, mai bine zis, de \u00eenot al Pisicu\u021bei mele prin marea de fl\u0103c\u0103ri ce se rev\u0103rsa peste p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u00een miezul arz\u0103tor al zilelor de var\u0103, c\u00e2rnii la dreapta \u0219i intrai, de-a dreptul \u0219i triumfal, prin por\u021bile larg deschise, \u00een ograda caselor de \u021bar\u0103, unde locuia un vechi prieten al meu. St\u0103p\u00e2na de cas\u0103, \u00een hain\u0103 alb\u0103 de diminea\u021b\u0103 \u0219i cu capul slobod \u00eenv\u0103luit \u00een o grimea tot alb\u0103 \u0219i cu \u021bur\u021buri mici de m\u0103rgele ro\u0219ii pe margine, treb\u0103luia nu \u0219tiu ce prin cerdacul larg din fa\u021b\u0103. C\u00e2nd v\u0103zu de departe pe cineva intr\u00e2nd c\u0103lare, f\u0103cu repede unghi drept din bra\u021bu-i alb, rotund \u0219i gol p\u00e2n\u0103 la cot, puse iute despre soare, cu palma-i diafan\u0103, o mic\u0103 perdea trandafirie privirii, se rezem\u0103 cu cel\u0103lalt bra\u021b s\u0103pat \u00een marmur\u0103 vie de balustrada cafenie a cerdacului, se ml\u0103die pu\u021bin \u00eenainte, r\u0103mase neclintit\u0103 \u0219i se uit\u0103 \u021bint\u0103… O mai frumoas\u0103 \u0219i mai des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219it\u0103 cariatid\u0103 nu se putea \u00eenchipui… \u0219i, \u00een o clip\u0103, disp\u0103ru \u0219i se mistui, ca \u00eenghi\u021bit\u0103 de privazul \u00eentunecos al unei u\u0219i \u00eentredeschise… Cu at\u00e2t mai r\u0103u sau… cu at\u00e2t mai bine pentru cine n-a v\u0103zut stele c\u0103z\u0103toare \u00een plinul miez al zilelor de iulie; \u0219i \u00eenc\u0103 \u0219i mai bine pentru acel c\u0103ruia privirea nu i s-a \u00eentunecat aievea sub \u00eenchipuirea c\u0103 o raz\u0103 \u2014 \u0219i cea mai luminoas\u0103 \u2014 s-a rupt din soare \u0219i s-a mistuit, ca \u00eenghi\u021bit\u0103… fie chiar din privazul \u00eentunecos al unei u\u0219i \u00eentredeschise!…<\/p>\n
Pisicu\u021ba se opri la scar\u0103 \u0219i, \u00eenainte de a desc\u0103leca, o femeie trimis\u0103 \u00eentru \u00eent\u00e2mpinarea mea m\u0103 pofti \u00een cas\u0103, din partea “duduc\u0103i”. Eu, care, c\u00e2nd \u00eemi vine la socoteal\u0103, iau vorbele dup\u0103 slova lor, f\u0103cui chip Pisicu\u021bei cu fr\u00e2ul la dreapta, ca \u0219i cum a\u0219 fi avut de g\u00e2nd s\u0103 urc scara c\u0103lare \u0219i s\u0103 intru \u00een cas\u0103 cu Pisicu\u021b\u0103 cu tot. Pisicu\u021ba, care nu \u0219ov\u0103ia \u00eentre glum\u0103 \u0219i \u00eentre fr\u00e2u, \u00ee\u0219i puse una din copite pe \u00eent\u00e2ia treapt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Iu! f\u0103cu femeia, \u021bip\u00e2nd speriat\u0103; \u0219i repede fugi \u00een cas\u0103. Auzii din l\u0103untru un hohot de r\u00e2s femeiesc din toat\u0103 inima, ce nu putea fi dec\u00e2t al st\u0103p\u00e2nei de cas\u0103, care de mult \u00eemi cuno\u0219tea apuc\u0103turile.<\/p>\n
Desc\u0103lecai \u0219i d\u0103dui pe Pisicu\u021ba, spre \u00eengrijire, unui argat de ograd\u0103, iar eu suii scara, aruncai mantaua pe balustrada cafenie a cerdacului \u0219i intrai \u00een cas\u0103. Femeia pe care o speriasem m\u0103 scutur\u0103 de colb cu o perie, privind \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u0219i de-abia st\u0103p\u00e2nindu-\u0219i r\u00e2sul, cu palma la gur\u0103; mi se d\u0103du ap\u0103, m\u0103 sp\u0103lai, m\u0103 \u0219tersei, m\u0103 slujii de degete \u00een loc de pieptene \u0219i trecui \u00een alt\u0103 odaie mare \u0219i curat \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103, unde, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103 vin\u0103 cineva, m\u0103 r\u0103sturnai pe o canapea \u0219i aprinsei o \u021bigar\u0103, cu privirea pierdut\u0103 \u00een podele ca \u00een ad\u00e2ncul cerului.<\/p>\n
Mare lucru s\u0103 nu fi fost fermecate podelele casei aceleia! Altfel nu mi-a\u0219 putea da seama pentru ce, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-mi fi fost somn, pleoapele-mi c\u0103zur\u0103 peste ochi \u0219i, \u00een loc de \u00eentuneric, o puternic\u0103 lumin\u0103 \u00eemi inund\u0103 privirea… iar \u00eenchipuirea mea se str\u0103mut\u0103, \u00eentr-o clip\u0103, \u00een alte lumi, \u00een alte timpuri… Str\u00e2nsei pleoapele mai tare, ca s\u0103 v\u0103d mai bine… Un mare ora\u0219, a\u0219ezat \u00eentre dealuri verzi, se \u00eentindea \u00eenaintea mea \u0219i, pe str\u0103zile-i albe, largi \u0219i pline de soare, lume mult\u0103 foia \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile. Eu, cel de alt\u0103dat\u0103, istovit de nevoi, cu ochii stin\u0219i, cu obrazul \u00eengropat, cu mustea\u021ba b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eenainte de vreme, cu pantalonii scur\u021bi p\u00e2n\u0103 la glezne, de se vedea guma s\u0103r\u0103c\u0103cioasei mele \u00eenc\u0103l\u021b\u0103minte, cu haina roas\u0103 la un cot \u0219i c\u00e2rpit\u0103 la cel\u0103lalt, pe cap cu o p\u0103l\u0103rie \u00een stil “acordeon”, scoboram la vale pe o strad\u0103 lung\u0103, larg\u0103 \u0219i dreapt\u0103, cu capul plecat \u0219i plin de g\u00e2nduri, la o sub\u021bioar\u0103 cu un teanc de c\u0103r\u021bi ponosite, iar sub cealalt\u0103 cu… un mare \u0219i rotund harbuz turcesc… Intrai \u00een ograda unei mari cl\u0103diri din coastele unei biserici \u0219i un stol de fete \u00eentre opt \u0219i zece ani, \u00een fuga mare, se repezir\u0103 \u00eenaintea mea; una, mic\u0103 c\u00e2t o lingur\u0103 \u0219i iute ca o pic\u0103tur\u0103 de argint viu, le \u00eentrecu pe toate, \u00eemi s\u0103ri \u00een g\u00e2t, m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 sau m\u0103 mu\u0219c\u0103 de obraz sau de ureche, s\u0103ri repede jos \u00eenapoi, lu\u0103 harbuzul mai greu dec\u00e2t ea, \u00eel tr\u00e2nti de p\u0103m\u00e2nt de se desf\u0103cu \u00een o sut\u0103 de buc\u0103\u021bi, lu\u0103 pe cea mai mare \u0219i prinse a-i roade miezul, \u00eenmorm\u00e2nt\u00e2ndu-\u0219i \u00een el, p\u00e2n\u0103 la spr\u00e2ncene, fa\u021ba-i mic\u0103 de copil. Din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, arunca spre mine, peste marginea de deasupra a cojii de harbuz, ochii ei mari, negri \u0219i plini de o nevinovat\u0103 bucurie; zeama ro\u0219ie \u00eei picura de pe barb\u0103 pe pestelc\u0103 \u0219i de pe pestelc\u0103 pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt… C\u00e2nd ridic\u0103 capul spre a-\u0219i mai lua suflet \u0219i a vedea \u00een ce parte mai are de lucru, era m\u00e2njit\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la urechi \u0219i o s\u0103m\u00e2n\u021b\u0103 de harbuz neagr\u0103 \u0219i lat\u0103 \u00eei r\u0103m\u0103sese lipit\u0103 pe v\u00e2rful nasului.<\/p>\n
O singur\u0103 dat\u0103 \u00een via\u021ba mea am sim\u021bit p\u0103rerea de r\u0103u c\u0103 nu sunt pictor…<\/p>\n
Apoi iute ca o zv\u00e2rlug\u0103 se repezi \u0219i \u00eemi s\u0103ri drept \u00een bra\u021be; cu o m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eemi prinse o mustea\u021b\u0103, iar cu cealalt\u0103 m\u0103 lu\u0103 pe dup\u0103 g\u00e2t, de-mi ajunse coaja de harbuz drept dinaintea gurii.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103, b\u0103die, \u0219i mata; s\u0103 vezi ce bunu-i!… zise ea. \u0218i-mi potrivi la gur\u0103 partea unde mai r\u0103m\u0103sese ceva miez.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A! tare-i bun! zisei, mu\u0219c\u00e2nd. Se cunoa\u0219te, Floricico, c\u0103 pe-aici a mers boti\u0219orul t\u0103u de trandafir \u0219i din\u021bi\u0219orii t\u0103i de \u0219oricu\u021b.<\/p>\n
\u0218i c-o \u00eendem\u00e2nare de\u00a0cow-boy<\/i>, zv\u00e2rli coaja roas\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la verde \u00een ceafa unei fete; m\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103 de mustea\u021b\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eempresur\u0103 cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile pe dup\u0103 g\u00e2t, \u00ee\u0219i v\u00e2r\u00ee capu-i mic sub marginile p\u0103l\u0103riei mele \u0219i m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 cu zgomot pe frunte.<\/p>\n
\u2014 B\u0103die, tare-mi e\u0219ti drag! zise ea l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-se pu\u021bin pe spate, rezemat\u0103 de am\u00e2ndou\u0103 bra\u021bele mele \u0219i privindu-m\u0103 drept \u00een ochi cu un fel de extaz nepotrivit cu cei opt ani ai ei. A\u0219a-i c\u0103 \u0219i eu \u021bi-s drag\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Drag\u0103, Floricico, drag\u0103, zisei eu, str\u00e2ng\u00e2nd-o \u00een bra\u021be; drag\u0103 ca o floare mititic\u0103 \u0219i nebunatic\u0103 ce e\u0219ti, fiindc\u0103, pe lumea asta, numai tu, draga b\u0103diei, te mai g\u00e2nde\u0219ti la mine.<\/p>\n
Un z\u00e2mbet amar \u00eemi trecu pe buze, mi se umezir\u0103 ochii \u0219i glasul mi se \u00eennod\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2t.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Iar pl\u00e2ngi, b\u0103die?
\n\u2014 Nu, Floricico, m\u0103 bate soarele-n ochi…
\n\u2014 Spui minciuni, b\u0103die; soarele te bate-n spate; te doare ceva?
\n\u2014 S\u0103-\u021bi spun drept, Floricico, m\u0103 doare capul. Cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile ei mici \u0219i ude \u00eenc\u0103, m\u0103 netezi pe frunte moale \u0219i dr\u0103g\u0103la\u0219 \u0219i… \u0219terse ea singur\u0103 \u0219i… pentru totdeauna locul unde m\u0103 s\u0103rutase cu at\u00e2ta nevinov\u0103\u021bie.<\/p>\n
Deschisei ochii, dar nu mai v\u0103zui nimic din ceea ce fusese… At\u00e2ta doar, c\u0103 m\u0103 aflam \u00eentr-o cas\u0103 de \u021bar\u0103, \u00eentr-o odaie mare \u0219i curat \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103, r\u0103sturnat pe o canapea, cu \u021bigara-n gur\u0103 \u0219i cu privirea pierdut\u0103-n podele ca \u00een ad\u00e2ncul cerului…<\/p>\n
Mare lucru s\u0103 nu fi fost fermecate podelele casei aceleia!… Pe unde intrase, nu-mi putui da seama… poate c\u0103 pe acelea\u0219i sc\u0103ri ale v\u0103zduhului, peste acela\u0219i r\u00e2u larg \u0219i vijelios al timpului, peste care \u0219i \u00eenchipuirea mea, f\u0103urind spre trecere o punte de lumin\u0103, legase \u00eentre ele cele dou\u0103 capete dep\u0103rtate ale vie\u021bii mele… Poate c\u0103 intrase chiar, cu pas m\u0103runt, u\u0219or \u0219i nesim\u021bit, prin u\u0219a \u00eentredeschis\u0103 a od\u0103ii… Se poate; c\u00e2nd pleoapele mi se ridicar\u0103 de peste ochi \u0219i rec\u0103p\u0103tai sim\u021bul realit\u0103\u021bii, st\u0103p\u00e2na casei, \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 \u00eentr-o rochie neagr\u0103 de m\u0103tase u\u0219oar\u0103, \u00eencins\u0103 peste mijloc cu un colan lucrat \u00een solzi auri\u021bi, st\u0103tea \u00een picioare dinaintea mea \u0219i m\u0103 privea nemi\u0219cat\u0103. De sub horbota neagr\u0103 \u0219i sub\u021bire a m\u00e2necii st\u00e2ngi, dimprejurul alb al bra\u021bului ei, mijeau cu sc\u00e2nteieri palide-ro\u0219ii boabele mari ale unei br\u0103\u021b\u0103ri de m\u0103rgean; iar din noaptea negrei rochii, cu r\u0103sfr\u00e2ngeri mi\u0219c\u0103toare \u0219i molatice de lumin\u0103 mut\u0103, r\u0103s\u0103rea g\u00e2tul ei de alabastru viu \u0219i capul ei sculptural de Venere antic\u0103. Pare c-o v\u0103d \u0219-acum… C\u00e2te vie\u021bi, c\u00e2te inimi, c\u00e2te suflete n-ar fi putut g\u0103si morm\u00e2ntul lor de veci \u00een taina ad\u00e2ncimii fermecate a ochilor ei negri!…<\/p>\n
O privii drept \u00een fa\u021b\u0103… Pe nas nu mai avea lipit\u0103 nici o s\u0103m\u00e2n\u021b\u0103 de harbuz neagr\u0103 \u0219i lat\u0103.<\/p>\n
Pe fruntea mea, nici o urm\u0103 de nevinovat\u0103 s\u0103rutare!… \u00cemi \u00eentinse am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile ei albe \u0219i mici; eu i le s\u0103rutai pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i dau m\u0103car bun\u0103 diminea\u021ba \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 urnesc de cum st\u0103team r\u0103sturnat pe canapea.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Foarte frumos, domnule b\u0103die, zise ea \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, desf\u0103c\u00e2ndu-\u0219i u\u0219or m\u00e2inile din str\u00e2nsoarea mea \u0219i a\u0219ez\u00e2ndu-se pe un scaun aproape de mine; foarte frumos! Vas\u0103zic\u0103 d-ta vii la mine s\u0103 dormi, nu s\u0103 m\u0103 vezi?<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103 iart\u0103, cuconi\u021b\u0103 Floricico, zisei eu foarte serios; mai \u00eent\u00e2i afl\u0103 c\u0103 eu nu dorm niciodat\u0103, fiindc\u0103 visez totdeauna; al doilea, nici n-am nevoie s\u0103 te v\u0103d, fie acas\u0103 la d-ta, fie oriunde, deoarece, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 aflu singur, prea ai me\u0219te\u0219ugul de a mi te v\u00e2r\u00ee nepoftit\u0103 \u00een suflet, prin fundul p\u0103l\u0103riei, \u0219i a-mi st\u00e2rni fel de fel de vedenii cu farmazoniile d-tale. De c\u00e2nd crezi d-ta c\u0103 umblu eu dup\u0103 o vr\u0103jitoare care s\u0103-mi desc\u00e2nte de-a sc\u0103p\u0103rii? Ia, te poftesc, caut\u0103 \u00een cre\u021bii de la spate ai rochiei d-tale celei cafenii, cu care erai \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 la Dumbrav\u0103 acum o lun\u0103, \u0219i ai s\u0103 vezi c\u0103 le lipse\u0219te o buc\u0103\u021bic\u0103 t\u0103iat\u0103 cu cu\u021bita\u0219ul; ce vrei? mi-a spus o vr\u0103jitoare s\u0103-i duc ceva de pe d-ta, \u0219i am s\u0103-i duc.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu glume\u0219ti? Mi-ai t\u0103iat rochia mea cea cafenie? zise ea cu glas de spaim\u0103 glumea\u021b\u0103; \u0219i pun\u00e2ndu-\u0219i m\u00e2na la gur\u0103 cu o nespus\u0103 dr\u0103g\u0103l\u0103\u0219ie, dat\u0103 numai femeilor, m\u0103 privi o clip\u0103, cu z\u00e2mbetul pe fa\u021b\u0103, drept \u00een luminile ochilor…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ar trebui s\u0103 fiu o mare sec\u0103tur\u0103 ca s\u0103 m-apuc de glumit cu o fermec\u0103toare ca de-alde dumneata; cel mult dac\u0103 umblu s\u0103-mi r\u0103scump\u0103r sufletul din o robie mai grea dec\u00e2t a turcilor \u0219i a t\u0103tarilor!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Rochia mea cea cafenie, pe care mi-a cump\u0103rat-o \u0218tefan de la Bucure\u0219ti?!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, da!… Rochia… dumneatale… cea cafenie… pe care… etc., etc. … \u0219i ce pofte\u0219ti?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Uf!… b\u0103die, tare-mi e\u0219ti ur\u00e2t… fugi de-aici!… zise ea acoperindu-mi \u0219i \u00eemping\u00e2ndu-mi u\u0219or fa\u021ba cu toate cele zece degete moi, calde \u0219i r\u0103sfirate ale am\u00e2nduror m\u00e2inilor sale mici; e\u0219ti un s\u0103lbatic \u0219i un original cum n-am mai v\u0103zut!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu cumva, mititica mea, cuconi\u021b\u0103 Floricico, vei fi crez\u00e2nd d-ta c\u0103 tare-mi e\u0219ti drag\u0103? Te \u00een\u0219eli!… S\u0103lbatic \u0219i original!… Of!… ce mare descoperire ai mai f\u0103cut!… Oricum \u00eens\u0103, zisei eu, r\u0103zg\u00e2ndindu-m\u0103, tot e mai mare dec\u00e2t a doua c\u0103ma\u0219\u0103 de la raci \u0219i nu \u0219tiu a mai c\u00e2ta prostire de la scoici descoperite de must\u0103ciosul, b\u00e2lb\u00e2itul, gu\u0219atul \u0219i… favoritul d-tale \u00eenv\u0103\u021bat de la Bucure\u0219ti.<\/p>\n
\u2014 B\u0103die, iar \u00eencepi cu…
\n\u2014 Prostiile… Se poate; dec\u00e2t s\u0103 faci bine s\u0103 nu m\u0103 mai pui \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 cu favoritul d-tale \u00eenv\u0103\u021bat; ce vrei? Nu pot suferi mutrele ro\u0219ii \u0219i b\u00e2lb\u00e2ite!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i vas\u0103zic\u0103 d-ta, domnule b\u0103die, nu m\u0103 mai iube\u0219ti deloc? zise ea cu un ton pe care se silea s\u0103-l fac\u0103 amenin\u021b\u0103tor.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Deloc.
\n\u2014 \u0218i nu mai po\u021bi suferi mutra mea?
\n\u2014 Nu.
\n\u2014 \u0218i n-ai s\u0103 vii s\u0103 m\u0103 mai vezi niciodat\u0103?
\n\u2014 Niciodat\u0103.
\n\u2014 \u0218i-\u021bi sunt ur\u00e2t\u0103 tare?
\n\u2014 Tare ur\u00e2t\u0103!… Iute ca fulgerul, \u00ee\u0219i puse \u0219i \u00ee\u0219i \u00eendes\u0103 pe gura mea dosul moale \u0219i cald al am\u00e2nduror m\u00e2inilor sale albe \u0219i mici…<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103rut\u0103, s\u0103 te iert!… Chemai \u00een ajutor tot stoicismul s\u00e2ngelui meu \u0219i, cu z\u00e2mbetul \u00een ochi, r\u0103m\u0103sei nesim\u021bitor.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, am s\u0103 te p\u00e2r\u0103sc lui \u0218tefan c\u0103 nu m\u0103 mai iube\u0219ti, zise ea cu fa\u021ba \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rat\u0103 de o dr\u0103g\u0103la\u0219\u0103 m\u00e2nie \u0219i cu ochii aprin\u0219i de ura unei iubiri \u00een\u0103du\u0219ite…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei \u0219i?… Nu cumva \u0218tefan al d-tale o s\u0103 m\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103-mi fii drag\u0103 cu de-a sila, odat\u0103 ce-mi e\u0219ti ur\u00e2t\u0103 foc?…<\/p>\n
Z\u00e2mbind \u0219i neclintit\u0103, m\u0103 privi o clip\u0103 drept \u00een ochi.
\n\u2014 \u0218tii ce una, b\u0103die?
\n\u2014 Ce, cuconi\u021b\u0103 Floricico?
\n\u2014 Hai s\u0103 ne \u00eemp\u0103c\u0103m.
\n\u2014 Hai… da ce-mi dai?
\n\u2014 Ce s\u0103-\u021bi dau?…
\n\u2014 Unghiu\u021ba matale de la degetul cel mic. Cu o mi\u0219care ml\u0103dioas\u0103 \u0219i ager\u0103, vrednic\u0103 de cea mai ager\u0103 \u0219i ml\u0103dioas\u0103 pisicu\u021b\u0103, \u00ee\u0219i lipi repede de buzele mele unghia degetului celui mic de la m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103… Ce s\u0103 s\u0103ru\u021bi din unghie mic\u0103, chiar cald\u0103 \u0219i trandafirie de-ar fi fost!… Totu\u0219i r\u0103sun\u0103 \u00een v\u0103zduh zgomotul puternic al unei p\u0103tima\u0219e s\u0103rut\u0103ri!…<\/p>\n
\u0218tefan, b\u0103rbatul Floricic\u0103i, era cel mai bun prieten al meu din copil\u0103rie.<\/p>\n
Ea… mai presus dec\u00e2t Ileana Cos\u00e2nzeana, din cosi\u021b\u0103 floarea-i c\u00e2nt\u0103, sau dec\u00e2t Trestiana, fiica dumnezeie\u0219te gre\u0219it\u0103 a vreunui Statu-Palm\u0103-Barb\u0103-Cot…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dar, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, zisei eu schimb\u00e2nd vorba, ce e cu lene\u0219ul d-tale de \u0218tefan de nu se mai arat\u0103? Nu cumva doarme \u0219-acum?<\/p>\n
\u2014 De unde? \u0218tefan e dus de ieri la Gala\u021bi cu de-ale mo\u0219iei.
\n\u2014 A!… vas\u0103zic\u0103, mititica mea cuconi\u021b\u0103 Floricico, o s-avem cinstea \u0219i pl\u0103cerea de a pr\u00e2nzi \u00eentre patru ochi?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ba, cu voia matale, domnule b\u0103die, o s-avem cinstea \u0219i pl\u0103cerea de a pr\u00e2nzi \u00eentre dou\u0103zeci \u0219i patru; toate surorile \u0219i verele mele au n\u0103v\u0103lit s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na asta peste mine, de pretutindeni.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ce p\u0103cat c\u0103 n-a n\u0103v\u0103lit s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na asta peste d-ta \u0219i \u00eenv\u0103\u021batul d-tale de la Bucure\u0219ti!… Am fi avut atunci cinstea \u0219i pl\u0103cerea de a pr\u00e2nzi \u00eentre dou\u0103zeci \u0219i cinci de ochi!… Am auzit c\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u021batul d-tale, uit\u00e2ndu-se prea de-aproape la un rac mare \u0219i viu \u2014 \u0219tii c\u0103 e scurt de vedere \u2014 racul l-a apucat cu foarfeca piciorului de lumina ochiului \u0219i l-a chior\u00e2t…<\/p>\n
\u2014 De m\u0103 mai nec\u0103je\u0219ti a\u0219a, b\u0103die, s\u0103 \u0219tii c\u0103 m\u0103 m\u00e2nii foc. \u2014 O! c\u00e2t \u00eemi place s\u0103 m\u0103 cer\u021bi Cu-ad\u00e2ncii-\u021bi ochi \u0219i mari! De-ai \u0219ti tu-n urm\u0103, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 ier\u021bi, C\u00e2t de frumoas\u0103-mi pari!…<\/p>\n
M\u0103 lovi u\u0219or cu palma peste gur\u0103 \u0219i, scul\u00e2ndu-se repede de pe scaun, se duse de ap\u0103s\u0103 cu ar\u0103t\u0103toru-i elastic pe butonul de l\u00e2ng\u0103 u\u0219\u0103 al unei sonerii.<\/p>\n
Dureroasa fericire \u021binuse o clip\u0103!… \u00cen dep\u0103rtare, r\u0103spunse ap\u0103s\u0103rii un lung \u021b\u00e2r\u00e2it metalic, care lu\u0103 \u00een urechea mea \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219area puternic\u0103 a zgomotului de pr\u0103bu\u0219ire \u00eenalt\u0103 \u0219i n\u0103prasnic\u0103 a unei vechi cl\u0103diri… Ceva se pr\u0103bu\u0219i parc\u0103 \u00een inima mea \u0219i, \u00een o clip\u0103, mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 am tr\u0103it o via\u021b\u0103 \u00eentreag\u0103… S\u00e2ngele mi se scurse din fa\u021b\u0103 \u0219i numai ochii mei umezi de lacrimi \u0219i pironi\u021bi \u00een podele mai r\u0103maser\u0103 vii pe chipul meu de mort…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Iar… zise ea uit\u00e2ndu-mi-se \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 \u0219i scutur\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 u\u0219or de um\u0103r \u2014 iar?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu… m\u0103 bate soarele-n ochi…
\n\u2014 Spui minciuni, b\u0103die… unde vezi soare? ce-\u021bi este?
\n\u2014 Drept s\u0103-\u021bi spun, m\u0103… doare… capul… Nu zise nimic. Se l\u0103s\u0103 mai mult s\u0103 cad\u0103 dec\u00e2t s\u0103 se a\u0219eze pe scaun, cu m\u00e2inile \u00eencruci\u0219ate pe genunchi \u0219i cu capul plecat. Cine \u0219tie?… Poate c\u0103 \u0219i ea tr\u0103i \u00een o singur\u0103 clip\u0103 o \u00eentreag\u0103 via\u021b\u0103!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ah!… izbucni ea deodat\u0103, ridic\u00e2nd \u0219i \u00eencle\u0219t\u00e2ndu-\u0219i \u00een v\u0103zduh, ca spre rug\u0103ciune, m\u00e2inile ei. Ah! b\u0103die, tare sunt nefericit\u0103… Doamne! Doamne!…<\/p>\n
\u0218i nodul lacrimilor \u00eei t\u0103ie glasul. Cu ochii umezi \u0219i pierdu\u021bi \u00een de\u0219ert, cu m\u00e2inile \u00eempreunate \u0219i rug\u0103tor \u00eendreptate spre o putere nev\u0103zut\u0103, avu o clip\u0103 de \u00eencremenire.<\/p>\n
Chipul durerii dezn\u0103d\u0103jduite, chem\u00e2nd asupra-i \u00eendurarea cerului, n-ar trebui s\u0103 fie altfel s\u0103pat \u00een marmur\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu fi copil\u0103! zisei eu scul\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 repede de pe canapea \u0219i netezindu-i u\u0219or am\u00e2ndoi obrajii. Nu fi copil\u0103!… Nu se pot \u00eenfr\u00e2nge hot\u0103r\u00e2rile soartei; pe c\u0103i deosebite suntem meni\u021bi a ne duce fiecare crucea p\u00e2n\u0103 pe v\u00e2rful Golgotei… Nu fi copil\u0103!…<\/p>\n
M\u0103 privi r\u0103t\u0103cit cu ochii plini de lacrimi.
\n\u2014 Nu fi copil\u0103, pentru Dumnezeu!… Lini\u0219te\u0219te-te!… \u0218i, apuc\u00e2ndu-i capul \u00eentre m\u00e2ini, o s\u0103rutai ca pe un copil, \u00een p\u0103rul ei negru \u0219i bogat.<\/p>\n
\u00ce\u0219i desf\u0103cu m\u00e2inile \u0219i molatic le l\u0103s\u0103 s\u0103 cad\u0103 pe am\u00e2ndoi umerii mei…<\/p>\n
\u2014 B\u0103die, tare-mi e\u0219ti drag!… \u0218i cu o u\u0219oar\u0103 str\u00e2ngere nervoas\u0103, m\u0103 trase pu\u021bin spre d\u00e2nsa.
\n\u2014 A\u0219a-i c\u0103 \u0219i eu \u021bi-s drag\u0103?… zise ea privindu-m\u0103 ad\u00e2nc \u00een ochi. \u00cei apucai am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile ei mici \u00een m\u00e2inile mele tremur\u0103toare.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Drag\u0103, Floricico, drag\u0103 de la s\u0103m\u00e2n\u021ba de harbuz lipit\u0103 acum dou\u0103zeci de ani pe v\u00e2rful nasului t\u0103u de copil \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 la alunica neagr\u0103 ce doarme dus\u0103 \u0219i fericit\u0103 pe bra\u021bul t\u0103u de femeie, \u00een umbra trandafirie a culcu\u0219ului s\u0103u de fulgi auri\u021bi!…<\/p>\n
…\u0218i niciodat\u0103 n-am \u00eentinat pe aceast\u0103 femeie \u00een noroiul murdar al sim\u021burilor, \u0219i n-am t\u00e2r\u00e2t niciodat\u0103 \u00een v\u00e2rtejul de dragoste p\u00e2ng\u0103rit\u0103 a s\u00e2ngelui ce clocote\u0219te \u00een vine stricate \u0219i p\u0103c\u0103toase pe acest \u00eenger nefericit, icoan\u0103 des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219it\u0103 a dumnezeie\u0219tii frumuse\u021bi…<\/p>\n
Totu\u0219i…
\n\u2014 Destul!… zisei eu cu glas \u00eenecat \u0219i r\u0103gu\u0219it, desf\u0103c\u00e2nd \u0219i arunc\u00e2nd, repede \u0219i brutal, m\u00e2inile ei din m\u00e2inile mele. Destul, Floricico!…<\/p>\n
Iute ca o zv\u00e2rlug\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eempresur\u0103 pe dup\u0103 g\u00e2t cu bra\u021bele ei \u0219i… m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 sau m\u0103 mu\u0219c\u0103 de obraz sau de ureche…<\/p>\n
\u0218i trupul meu cuprins de fiori nu se ml\u0103die sub greutatea ame\u021bitoare a trupului ei…<\/p>\n
…\u00cen ograda unei mari cl\u0103diri din coastele unei biserici… mic\u0103 c\u00e2t o lingur\u0103… iute ca o pic\u0103tur\u0103 de argint viu… oare timpul \u0219i uitarea nu a\u0219ternuse \u00eenc\u0103, peste icoana vie a unei vie\u021bi de alt\u0103dat\u0103, lin\u021boliul lor nestr\u0103b\u0103tut?…<\/p>\n
Femeia pe care o speriasem intr\u0103 cu ap\u0103 \u0219i dulce\u021bi.
\n\u2014 Las\u0103, Anic\u0103, tablaua pe mas\u0103, zise ea femeii, \u0219i vezi, dac\u0103 duducile-s \u00eembr\u0103cate, pofte\u0219te-le-ncoace; spune-le c-avem musafiri de la Piatra.<\/p>\n
Femeia ie\u0219i.
\n\u2014 Apropo! zise ea, venindu-mi \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 \u0219i pun\u00e2ndu-\u0219i o m\u00e2n\u0103 pe um\u0103rul meu, nu \u021bi-am spus c\u0103 Magda…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, ce e cu Magda?
\n\u2014 Ghici!…
\n\u2014 \u0218i-a scr\u00e2ntit, f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eendoial\u0103, vreun picior, d\u00e2ndu-se de-a tumba pe vreo c\u0103pi\u021b\u0103 de f\u00e2n…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Atunci se vede c\u0103, din nebunatic\u0103, dr\u0103g\u0103la\u0219\u0103 \u0219i mincinoas\u0103 cum era, s-a f\u0103cut \u00een\u021beleapt\u0103 ca un vi\u021bel de trei ani?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu, ghici!…
\n\u2014 Apoi atunci, Floricico, rogu-te s\u0103 te faci lingur\u0103ri\u021b\u0103, c\u0103ci \u021biganc\u0103 e\u0219ti; pune-\u021bi \u00een p\u0103rul t\u0103u negru ghioci \u00een loc de flori, ca s\u0103 am de unde lua unul, spre a-\u021bi ghici.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, nu, zise ea ner\u0103bd\u0103toare \u0219i v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-se \u00een sufletul meu. Drept r\u0103spuns o s\u0103rutai u\u0219or pe frunte.
\n\u2014 Ei, nu, ghici… \u0219i se auzi pe du\u0219umea b\u0103taia u\u0219oar\u0103 \u0219i poruncitoare a piciorului s\u0103u mic…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu cumva, zisei eu z\u00e2mbind cu \u00een\u021beles \u0219i r\u0103sucindu-mi v\u00e2rful muste\u021bii, nu cumva frumoasa noastr\u0103 Maria de Magdala -a\u0219a \u00eei ziceam eu Magdei \u2014 \u0219i-a v\u00e2ndut vila sa din Ierusalim \u0219i cu pre\u021bul aurului de pe ea a cump\u0103rat miresme scumpe, spre a le v\u0103rsa pe picioarele vreunui Isus de contraband\u0103 \u0219i a i le \u0219terge, \u00een urm\u0103, cu p\u0103rul ei negru \u0219i bogat?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tocmai!… Tocmai!… Magda se m\u0103rit\u0103, e aici \u0219i…
\n\u2014 “Viitorul” dumisale?
\n\u2014 Da! o s\u0103-l vezi, o s\u0103-i faci cuno\u0219tin\u021ba \u0219i ai s\u0103-mi spui cum \u021bi se pare.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cu alte cuvinte, ne afl\u0103m \u00een deplin\u0103 Cana Galileei… Foarte bine!… Magda e o vi\u021bic\u0103 proast\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i pentru ce, m\u0103 rog?…
\n\u2014 Pentru c\u0103 nu-mi place, c\u00e2nd vin la voi, s\u0103 pun frac \u0219i m\u0103nu\u0219i albe; \u0219tii c\u0103 eu sunt cam necioplit; putea s\u0103 mai a\u0219tepte Magda cu marafeturile prezenta\u021biilor \u0219i ale reprezenta\u021biilor sale matrimoniale, m\u0103car p\u00e2n\u0103 ce treceam eu Bistri\u021ba \u0219i avea, \u00een urm\u0103, destul\u0103 vreme s\u0103 se \u00eendoape, c\u00e2t poftea, cu r\u0103\u021boielile nes\u0103rate ale cine \u0219tie c\u0103rui v\u00e2n\u0103tor de gologani… Desigur c\u0103-l cheam\u0103 sau Georges sau Jean… \u0218tiu eu c\u0103 voi toate ave\u021bi gusturi fran\u021buze\u0219ti; adu-\u021bi aminte c\u00e2t s\u00e2nge r\u0103u \u021bi-am f\u0103cut p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103 te dezbar de a mai zice lui \u0218tefan al t\u0103u “Etienne”; dar \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it cum \u00eel cheam\u0103 pe viitorul t\u0103u cumnat?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Georges…
\n\u2014 Destul, c\u0103 m\u0103 zg\u00e2rii \u00een ureche. Un ropot de alerg\u0103tur\u0103 repede \u0219i o mare g\u0103l\u0103gie de glasuri femeie\u0219ti, care vorbeau tare \u0219i r\u00e2deau \u00een acela\u0219i timp, se auzi prin cerdacul larg din fa\u021b\u0103 \u0219i, c\u00e2t ai clipi, privazul u\u0219ii se umplu de ochi veseli \u0219i de fe\u021be \u00eenflorite \u0219i iar\u0103\u0219i, c\u00e2t ai clipi, m\u0103 sim\u021bii apucat de m\u00e2ini, de bra\u021be, de umere, de cheotoarea surtucului…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine ai venit, b\u0103die!
\n\u2014 De unde vii, b\u0103die?
\n\u2014 Ne-a spus Florica c-ai s\u0103 vii…
\n\u2014 A\u0219a-i c-ai s\u0103 mai stai la noi?
\n\u2014 Azi mergi cu noi la Dumbrav\u0103…
\n\u2014 Iiii!… Ce bine-mi pare c-ai venit!… zise Emilia, s\u0103rind \u00een sus prin cas\u0103 \u0219i b\u0103t\u00e2nd \u00een palme de bucurie…<\/p>\n
\u2014 O s\u0103-mi devasta\u021bi persoana, t\u0103tari ce sunte\u021bi!… zisei eu \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, cuprinz\u00e2nd \u00een bra\u021be at\u00e2tea capete c\u00e2te putui \u0219i s\u0103rut\u00e2ndule pe fiecare drept \u00een cre\u0219tet… Bine v-am g\u0103sit!…<\/p>\n
\u0218i nu \u0219tiu pentru ce potopul acesta de bucurie, izvor\u00e2t din at\u00e2tea inimi curate, nu era \u00eendeajuns s\u0103 \u00eenece un fel de dureroas\u0103 \u00eentristare, ce-mi st\u0103p\u00e2nea sufletul \u0219i inima…<\/p>\n
Floricica, cu ochii \u00een podele, st\u0103tea r\u0103sturnat\u0103 pe canapea \u00een locul unde \u0219ezusem eu \u0219i, \u00eenv\u00e2rtind pe deget o cheie mic\u0103 legat\u0103 de cap\u0103tul unei cordele ro\u0219ii, p\u0103rea dus\u0103 pe g\u00e2nduri \u0219i str\u0103in\u0103 de ceea ce se petrecea \u00een jurul ei…<\/p>\n
Oare podelele casei aceleia nu erau fermecate \u0219i pentru d\u00e2nsa?…
\n\u2014 Dar, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, mai lipse\u0219te cineva, zisei eu apuc\u00e2nd pe Magda de v\u00e2rful am\u00e2nduror urechilor \u0219i privind-o drept \u00een ochi.<\/p>\n
Se uit\u0103 un moment la mine nedumerit\u0103 \u0219i \u00eentreb\u0103tor, apoi iute se \u00eenro\u0219i…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ia te rog s\u0103 m\u0103 la\u0219i \u00een pace, zise ea d\u00e2ndu-mi jos m\u00e2inile cu o lovitur\u0103 u\u0219oar\u0103; \u0219i, \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-se repede \u0219i oarecum sup\u0103rat\u0103, se duse de se opri dinaintea unei oglinzi, unde se pref\u0103cu c\u0103-\u0219i \u00eendreapt\u0103 \u0219i-\u0219i mai resfir\u0103 leg\u0103toarea lat\u0103 de la g\u00e2t, \u00eentocmit\u0103 sub b\u0103rbie \u00eentr-un mare fiong auriu-\u00eenchis.<\/p>\n
…Femeia e, f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eendoial\u0103, ghicitoarea cea mai grea de dezlegat… V\u0103dit jignit\u0103 de aluzia mea, Magda se dusese totu\u0219i s\u0103 \u00eentrebe oglinda dac\u0103 e destul de frumoas\u0103!… Are, se vede, femeia ceva \u0219i din firea paing\u0103nului: prinde \u00een mrejele sale tot ce-i cade, dar se desf\u0103teaz\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u00e2nd numai ce-i place… \u0218i Magda era un paing\u0103n cu gusturi foarte sub\u021biri!…<\/p>\n
Un miros ascu\u021bit de piele ruseasc\u0103 m\u0103 izbi \u00een nas; \u00eentorsei capul!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Domnul Georges… \u00eemi zise Florica, f\u0103c\u00e2nd cu st\u00e2nga mi\u0219carea reglementar\u0103 de recomandare; “b\u0103dia”, domnule Georges; \u0219i cu dreapta f\u0103cu spre mine aceea\u0219i mi\u0219care.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u00cenc\u00e2ntat, domnule Georges! \u0218i f\u0103r\u0103 obi\u0219nuita \u00eencovoiere de mijloc, str\u00e2nsei verde \u0219i scuturai \u0219i mai verde cu dreapta mea cam rustic\u0103 dreapta gr\u0103sulie \u0219i rotund\u0103 de femeie cochet\u0103 a dlui Georges… Mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 str\u00e2mb\u0103 pu\u021bin de nas; dar suferi cu eroism felul curat rom\u00e2nesc al s\u0103lbaticei mele str\u00e2nsori…<\/p>\n
\u0218i domnul Georges, care st\u0103tuse doisprezece ani la Paris nu mirosea numai a piele ruseasc\u0103… Nasul meu avu, p\u00e2n\u0103-n sear\u0103, minunatul prilej de a se desf\u0103ta pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 dl Georges c\u00e2nd cu mirosul dulce\u021bilor de zmeur\u0103, c\u00e2nd cu acel al dulce\u021bilor de fragi sau de c\u0103p\u0219une, c\u00e2nd, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, cu mirosul mult mai pre\u021buit pe vremuri, de Patchouli. Oricum \u00eens\u0103, dl Georges era “irepro\u0219abil”: scurt, gros \u0219i ple\u0219uv, avea totu\u0219i p\u0103rul de dup\u0103 urechi adus cu m\u0103iestrie pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 t\u00e2mplele; fa\u021ba-i rotund\u0103 \u0219i brusnat\u0103 era str\u0103juit\u0103 din josul fiec\u0103rei urechi de c\u00e2te o mic\u0103 pingea de p\u0103r castaniu, r\u0103m\u0103\u0219i\u021b\u0103 din ni\u0219te favori\u021bi odat\u0103 \u00eentregi, dar chinui\u021bi mai t\u00e2rziu de foarfeca glumea\u021b\u0103 a vreunui b\u0103rbier parizian. V\u00e2rful g\u0103lbiu \u0219i ascu\u021bit al muste\u021bilor sale, r\u0103sfirate pe buze, se arcuia perfect de simetric deasupra n\u0103rilor largi ale unui nas de\u0219elat; buzele c\u0103rnoase, umede \u0219i ro\u0219ii chemau parc\u0103 spre ele m\u00e2nc\u0103rile grase \u0219i s\u0103rut\u0103rile calde; ochii sp\u0103l\u0103ci\u021bi \u0219i lene\u0219i v\u0103deau o minte somnoroas\u0103; sub b\u0103rbia cu \u00eendoituri proasp\u0103t rase \u0219i pudruite, \u021bipa, de-\u021bi ame\u021bea privirea, fiongul imens al unei leg\u0103tori ro\u0219ii; pe p\u00e2ntecele-i rotund \u0219i plin st\u0103tea frumos \u0219i rotund \u00eembumbat\u0103 jiletca f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eencre\u021bituri; din josul pantalonului str\u00e2ns pe glezn\u0103, ie\u0219eau \u0219i se \u00eentindeau lipite pe du\u0219umea botinele ro\u0219ii, lungi, \u00eenguste \u0219i cu bot de ra\u021b\u0103, ale dlui Georges; iar de pe zarea lustruit\u0103 a cre\u0219tetului s\u0103u ple\u0219uv, ochiul luneca \u00een v\u0103zduh ca de pe luciul sterp \u0219i gol al unei ape adormite…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cu toate acestea, domnule Georges, zisei eu, s\u0103 nu crezi c\u0103 m\u0103 cheam\u0103 “b\u0103dia”; ia, stolul acesta de caraga\u021be, pe care-l vezi d-ta aicea, a g\u0103sit de cuviin\u021b\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 boteze dup\u0103 legea lor; \u0219i aceasta pentru singurul cuv\u00e2nt c\u0103, nu \u0219tiu c\u00e2\u021bi ani vor mai fi deatunci, le luam pe toate la sub\u021bioar\u0103 ca pe o testea de linguri \u0219i alergam cu ele c\u00e2t era ograda de mare; ai fi dat mult s\u0103 le fi v\u0103zut atunci, cum se \u00eenro\u0219eau, cum boldeau ochii de sub sub\u021bioara mea, cum scoteau limba \u0219i cum \u021bipau, de fric\u0103 s\u0103 nu le scap… \u0218i c\u00e2teodat\u0103 le sc\u0103pam \u00eenadins… Ia, vezi d-ta pe domni\u0219oara cea de la oglind\u0103, care se preface c\u0103-\u0219i \u00eendreapt\u0103 fiongul de sub b\u0103rbie? -\u0219i ar\u0103tai spre Magda \u2014 \u0219i care ast\u0103zi nu \u0219tie ce s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 cu ochii dumisale cei mari \u0219i negri?… O vezi?… m-a mu\u0219cat odat\u0103 de nas, de-am purtat o lun\u0103 de zile urma din\u021bi\u0219orilor dumisale celor mici \u0219i ascu\u021bi\u021bi… Te pot \u00eencredin\u021ba c\u0103 mu\u0219c\u0103 r\u0103u \u0219i ad\u00e2nc, de\u0219i, de altfel, e un \u00eenger din ceruri \u00een c\u0103l\u0103torie de pl\u0103cere pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt…<\/p>\n
Magda \u00eentoarse capul \u0219i se uit\u0103 la mine peste um\u0103r.
\n\u2014 Vrei s\u0103 te mu\u0219c iar, b\u0103die?
\n\u2014 Nu, Magdo, nu; p\u0103streaz\u0103-\u021bi din\u021bii, c-o s\u0103-\u021bi trebuiasc\u0103 mai t\u00e2rziu…<\/p>\n
M\u0103 privi lung, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-mi r\u0103spund\u0103.
\n\u2014 Mare parte din toate acestea, zise dl Georges, le \u0219tiam de mai \u00eenainte; un singur lucru nu \u0219tiam…<\/p>\n
\u2014 C\u0103 Magda e un \u00eenger?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu. C\u0103…
\n\u2014 Mu\u0219c\u0103 r\u0103u \u0219i ad\u00e2nc?…
\n\u2014 Cam a\u0219a ceva, zise el privind spre Magda cu cea mai sp\u0103l\u0103cit\u0103 dulcea\u021b\u0103 din lume…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu face nimic, de cumva ai prins de veste c\u0103 e un \u00eenger, dezam\u0103girea n-o s\u0103 fie a\u0219a de mare, c\u00e2nd, mai la urm\u0103, vei afla c\u0103 e un simplu c\u0103\u021bel…<\/p>\n
Se st\u00e2rni un hohot de r\u00e2s colosal; singur dl Georges r\u0103mase scandalizat de metafora mea \u0219i… \u00een g\u00e2ndul lui, m\u0103 f\u0103cu mojic.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Fiindc\u0103 d-ta, dle b\u0103die, m-ai f\u0103cut c\u0103\u021bel, zise Magda, apropiindu-se de mine \u0219i prinz\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 metodic de cheotoarea surtucului, apoi te condamn s\u0103-mi scrii, spre pedeaps\u0103, chiar acum, pe albumul meu, versuri galante, care s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eendrepteze \u00een ochii d-tale personal…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mi-i foame, Magdo, \u0219i \u0219tii c\u0103, pe nem\u00e2ncate, nu pl\u0103tesc nici dou\u0103 parale.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine; \u00ee\u021bi am\u00e2n pedeapsa pe dup\u0103-pr\u00e2nz.
\n\u2014 Dup\u0103-pr\u00e2nz… bine. Floricica se scul\u0103 de pe canapea \u0219i ie\u0219i. Emilia m\u0103 lu\u0103 de bra\u021b \u0219i m\u0103 t\u00e2r\u00ee dup\u0103 ea \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103. Peste c\u00e2teva minute sosir\u0103 toate celelalte, cu Magda \u00een frunte \u0219i cu dl Georges \u00een coad\u0103.<\/p>\n
Magda veni drept la mine, m\u0103 apuc\u0103 de cel\u0103lalt bra\u021b \u0219i m\u0103 \u00eendrept\u0103 pe o c\u0103rare dinspre fundul gr\u0103dinii, care d\u0103dea \u00een c\u00e2mp.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Magdo, \u0219tii c\u0103…
\n\u2014 Te rog s\u0103 m\u0103 la\u0219i \u00een pace, zise ea ghicindu-mi g\u00e2ndul.
\n\u2014 Cu toate acestea…
\n\u2014 Te rog s\u0103 m\u0103 la\u0219i \u00een pace; nu vezi ce nas de\u0219elat are?
\n\u2014 Dar…
\n\u2014 \u0218i ce ochi sp\u0103l\u0103ci\u021bi?! Ce p\u00e2ntece mare?! Gura!… buzele!… uf!… parc\u0103-s doi c\u00e2rna\u021bi umbri\u021bi de n\u0103rile nasului ca de dou\u0103 aripi de vultur r\u0103sfirate \u00een aer!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 E\u0219ti tare \u00een compara\u021bii, totu\u0219i ascult\u0103, Magdo…<\/p>\n
\u2014 N-ascult nimic \u0219i te rog s\u0103 m\u0103 la\u0219i \u00een pace; dup\u0103-pr\u00e2nz ai s\u0103-mi scrii versuri pe album, dar s\u0103 fie galante de tot.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103 trudesc, Magdo, s\u0103 te pricep \u0219i nu pot; pentru ce, adic\u0103, s\u0103 mai de\u0219tep\u021bi tu zulea bietului domn Georges \u0219i s\u0103-l mai umile\u0219ti, odat\u0103 ce-\u021bi e indiferent sau, mai bine zis, nesuferit?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Treaba mea…
\n\u2014 Cum “treaba mea”? adic\u0103 vrei s\u0103 faci din mine topor de oase?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Treaba mea. S\u0103-mi scrii versurile pe album, dar s\u0103 fie galante de tot.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i dac\u0103 nu \u021bi-a\u0219 scrie?
\n\u2014 Serios, domnule b\u0103die? zise ea cu glas de miere \u0219i uit\u00e2ndumi-se \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 cam piezi\u0219 \u0219i de jos \u00een sus, n-ai s\u0103 scrii Magdei versuri pe albumul ei?…<\/p>\n
M\u0103 \u00eenvinse \u0219i t\u0103cui ca un vinovat. “Bietul domnul Georges!” cugetai eu, cuprins de o adev\u0103rat\u0103 mil\u0103. Nu \u0219tiu, dar a fi iubit pe acest diavol de Magda \u0219i a nu fi fost iubit de d\u00e2nsa trebuia, desigur, s\u0103 fi fost o mare nenorocire.<\/p>\n
\u00cemi f\u0103cui cruce.
\n\u2014 Ce-\u021bi faci cruce, b\u0103die? zise Magda uit\u00e2ndu-se \u00eentreb\u0103tor la mine.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cum s\u0103 nu-mi fac cruce c\u00e2nd, la dreapta, am un diavol \u00eempeli\u021bat?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da?… Socoteam c\u0103-\u021bi faci cruce fiindc\u0103 o s\u0103 ne punem la mas\u0103!<\/p>\n
Avea ea r\u0103spuns la toate. Ne chem\u0103 la mas\u0103. Floricica se puse \u00een capul mesei, eu la dreapta, dl Georges la st\u00e2nga, Magda l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, Emilia l\u00e2ng\u0103 dl Georges, Ilenu\u021ba, Antonia, Ana, Fr\u0103sinica etc., etc. …<\/p>\n
Biata maic\u0103-mea \u2014 D-zeu s-o ierte \u2014 de c\u00e2te ori nu m-a plesnit cu lingura peste m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i peste gur\u0103, numai ca s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenve\u021be s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nc frumos!… A\u0219i!… \u021bi-ai g\u0103sit!… \u0218i ast\u0103zi, c\u00e2nd m\u0103n\u00e2nc ou\u0103 moi, m\u0103 m\u00e2njesc p\u00e2n’la urechi!… Ei bine!… Dl Georges le m\u00e2nca cu at\u00e2ta m\u0103iestrie!… degetele sale albe, gr\u0103sulii \u0219i ascu\u021bite la v\u00e2rf m\u00e2nuiau furculi\u021ba sau cu\u021bitul cu at\u00e2ta \u00eendem\u00e2nare \u00een autopsia oului, \u00eenc\u00e2t r\u0103m\u00e2nea, la urma urmei, g\u0103oacea pe din\u0103untru tot a\u0219a de lucie ca \u0219i pe dinafar\u0103… \u0219i nici o pat\u0103 de ou pe \u0219ervet, pe farfurie, pe cu\u021bit, pe furculi\u021b\u0103 sau pe muste\u021bile dlui Georges!… \u0218i dac\u0103 \u00een via\u021ba mea vreo p\u0103rere de r\u0103u mi-a ros inima, apoi aceasta a fost p\u0103rerea de r\u0103u c\u0103 n-am stat \u0219i eu m\u0103car doisprezece ani la Paris spre a \u00eenv\u0103\u021ba cum se m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 ou\u0103le moi!… O c\u0103pi\u021b\u0103 de br\u00e2nz\u0103 cu sm\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, foarte artistic cl\u0103dit\u0103 de dl Georges pe farfuria d-sale, \u00eenso\u021bit\u0103 de m\u0103m\u0103ligu\u021ba cald\u0103 corespunz\u0103toare, disp\u0103ru metodic \u00een ad\u00e2ncul p\u00e2ntecelui s\u0103u, printre cr\u0103p\u0103tura transversal\u0103 a buzelor sale groase, \u00eentocmai cum o colin\u0103 de deal ar disp\u0103rea \u00een cr\u0103p\u0103tura ad\u00e2nc\u0103 a unui cutremur de p\u0103m\u00e2nt!… Fu \u00eens\u0103 un moment c\u00e2nd admira\u021biunea \u0219i \u2014 a\u0219 putea zice \u2014 chiar respectul meu atinser\u0103 culmea… Aceasta fu la puiul cu sm\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103… Cine dracu mai poate sc\u0103pa cu obraz curat din fa\u021ba unui pui cu sm\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103?!… Eu, cel pu\u021bin, n-am putut niciodat\u0103 m\u00e2nca, \u00een chip cuviincios, acest blestemat soi de m\u00e2ncare; \u0219i tocmai de la acest soi de m\u00e2ncare am c\u0103p\u0103tat de la biata maic\u0103-mea \u2014 D-zeu s-o ierte \u2014 cele mai multe linguri peste m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i peste gur\u0103!… Ei bine, dl Georges era un om \u00een puterea cuv\u00e2ntului genial!… Altmintrelea, cel pu\u021bin, nu mi-a\u0219 fi putut da niciodat\u0103 socoteal\u0103 cum de un \u00eentreg cimitir de pui s\u0103 p\u0103\u0219easc\u0103 din lumea aceasta \u00een cealalt\u0103 lume din p\u00e2ntecele dlui Georges \u0219i s\u0103 nu lase, ca amintire despre d\u00e2n\u0219ii, dec\u00e2t doar ciolanele lor lustruite \u0219i, anume, frumos \u0219i foarte sistematic \u00een\u0219irate pe marginea, ca \u0219i ele de alb\u0103, a farfuriei dlui Georges?… \u0218i nu \u0219tiu cum f\u0103cea: prindea, cu mult me\u0219te\u0219ug, g\u00e2tul de pui \u00eentre v\u00e2rful cu\u021bitului \u0219i fundul farfuriei, iar cu unul din coarnele ascu\u021bite ale furculi\u021bei scotocea carnea de prin \u00eencheieturi, de nu r\u0103m\u00e2nea din g\u00e2tul de pui dec\u00e2t o lung\u0103, noduroas\u0103 \u0219i \u00eencovoiat\u0103 “m\u00e2\u021ba popii”, care mergea zburlit\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i ia, la r\u00e2nd, locul l\u00e2ng\u0103 celelalte oase smerite de pe marginea farfuriei… \u0218i, pe fundul farfuriei, nici un strop de sm\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, cu\u021bitul \u0219i furculi\u021ba ca din testea, \u0219ervetul virgin, muste\u021bile dlui Georges, r\u0103sfirate sub nas \u0219i arcuite deasupra n\u0103rilor, ca ie\u0219ite proasp\u0103t din oficina celei mai moderne frizerii!… \u0218i c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uitam la blestem\u0103\u021bia de pe farfuria mea, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam c\u0103 \u0219ervetul meu nu mai poate s\u0103 stea, cu cinste, a doua oar\u0103 pe mas\u0103, \u0219i c\u00e2nd, mai cu seam\u0103, z\u0103pseam pe dl Georges c\u0103 m\u0103 trage din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd ironic cu coada ochiului… Ei bine, atunci m\u0103 sim\u021beam umilit! Noroc numai c\u0103 cei de cas\u0103 erau to\u021bi \u0219i de mult deprin\u0219i cu tot felul meu de st\u00e2ng\u0103cii \u0219i noroc, mai cu seam\u0103, c\u0103 Floricica nu mi-ar fi \u00eeng\u0103duit niciodat\u0103 s\u0103 cioplesc vreunul sau vreuna din cusururile \u0219i s\u0103lb\u0103t\u0103ciile mele… Avea \u0219i Floricica gusturile ei necioplite…<\/p>\n
“Ce \u021bi-i \u0219i cu civiliza\u021bia asta”, cugetam eu, privind pe dl Georges cu c\u00e2t\u0103 elegan\u021b\u0103 desf\u0103cea carnea de pe un picior de pui fript sau coaja de pe un m\u0103r domnesc!… \u0218i avea dl Georges un a\u0219a me\u0219te\u0219ug la \u021binut paharul \u0219i la turnat vinul!… \u0218i vinul g\u0103lbiu a\u0219a sclipea de frumos, din paharul str\u0103veziu, printre gra\u021bia fin\u0103 de alabastru \u00eensufle\u021bit a degetelor sale!… \u0218i dup\u0103 ce-l bea, i se umezeau buzele ro\u0219ii de o a\u0219a trandafirie rou\u0103, care iute disp\u0103rea sub o u\u0219oar\u0103 ap\u0103sare cu \u0219ervetul, f\u0103r\u0103, bine\u00een\u021beles, nici o daun\u0103 pentru muste\u021bile sale!\u00a0!… Hot\u0103r\u00e2t c\u0103 Magda \u00ee\u0219i pierduse min\u021bile… S\u0103 fi fost eu \u00een locul Magdei! mie s\u0103 mi se fi pus la picioare o asemenea comoar\u0103 de \u00eensu\u0219iri!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103rut m\u00e2nu\u0219i\u021ba matale, cuconi\u021b\u0103 Floricico, zisei scul\u00e2ndum\u0103 de la mas\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103rut\u00e2nd dreapta st\u0103p\u00e2nei de cas\u0103, s\u0103rut m\u00e2nu\u0219i\u021ba \u0219i cine-a dat azi s\u0103 deie \u0219i m\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n
\u2014\u00a0Merci, M-me<\/i>, zise dl Georges cu o frumoas\u0103 reveren\u021b\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103rut\u00e2nd aceea\u0219i m\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Merele le-am adus eu de la Ia\u0219i, zise Magda, pun\u00e2ndu-mi pe gur\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 mult\u0103 ceremonie dosul alb al m\u00e2inii sale mici…<\/p>\n
Ni se aduse cafeaua \u00een “salon”. Eu \u00eemi luai locul de diminea\u021b\u0103 \u00een col\u021bul canapelei \u0219i, lini\u0219tit, \u00eemi sorbeam cafeaua \u0219i \u00eemi fumam \u021bigara.<\/p>\n
Magda ie\u0219i iute \u0219i se \u00eentoarse \u0219i mai iute.
\n\u2014 Domnule b\u0103die, te poftesc s\u0103-\u021bi faci pedeapsa, zise ea, pun\u00e2ndu-mi pe genunchi un mic album legat \u00een catifea vi\u0219inie cu monogram aurit.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mai \u00eent\u00e2i, Magdo, n-ar fi nici tocmai o pedeaps\u0103, nici tocmai greu de a-\u021bi scrie \u021bie versuri; c\u0103ci n-ar fi silit cineva s\u0103-\u0219i cheme muza prea de departe; dec\u00e2t…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dec\u00e2t s\u0103 faci bine \u0219i s\u0103 nu lunge\u0219ti vorba, domnule b\u0103die. \u0218i-mi dete \u0219i un creion mic.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Atunci cu o condi\u021bie: am s\u0103-\u021bi scriu ceva \u0219i am s\u0103 isc\u0103lesc dedesubt; ce-\u021bi voi scrie po\u021bi citi oricui; isc\u0103litura \u00eens\u0103 n-ai s-o \u0219tii dec\u00e2t numai tu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Adic\u0103 cum?
\n\u2014 Adic\u0103 cum, adic\u0103 necum, o condi\u021bie ca toate condi\u021biile.
\n\u2014 Bine, primesc. Dup\u0103 vreo zece minute, albumul Magdei, plin de toate prostiile, se mai \u00eenavu\u021bi \u0219i cu urm\u0103toarea: Maria din Magdala, de sf\u00e2nt amor cuprins\u0103, \u00cembr\u0103\u021bi\u0219a cu lacrimi genunchii lui Isus… \u0218i fulgera de patimi privirea ei aprins\u0103… Ce ferici\u021bi, acuma, sunt ei \u00een ceruri, sus!… Tu, poate, s\u0103 r\u00e2zi, Magdo, de-aceste amintiri Din biblicele vremuri. \u2014 O! \u0219tiu c\u0103 e\u0219ti pe dos! De-aceea, n-ar fi bine, prin schimb de \u00eensu\u0219iri, S\u0103 fiu eu Magdalena \u0219i tu s\u0103 fii Hristos?…<\/p>\n
\u0218i, isc\u0103lind dedesubt pe dl Georges, d\u0103dui Magdei albumul \u0219i creionul.<\/p>\n
Ea arunc\u0103 o privire repede pe foaia scris\u0103, se duse \u00eentr-un col\u021b al od\u0103ii, limba \u00eei fulger\u0103 ro\u0219 pe v\u00e2rful ar\u0103t\u0103torului drept, \u0219terse ceva, scrise ceva \u0219i iute \u00eenchise albumul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da nou\u0103, duduc\u0103 Magdo, nu ne-ar\u0103\u021bi ce \u021bi-a scris b\u0103dia pe album? ziser\u0103 toate \u00eentr-un glas.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu-i voie de v\u0103zut isc\u0103litura; dar dac\u0103 b\u0103dia m\u0103 dezleag\u0103 de condi\u021bie…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i dac\u0103 te-a\u0219 dezlega, ai ar\u0103ta? zisei eu, ne\u00eenchipuindu-mi ce schimbase ea \u00een album.<\/p>\n
\u2014 De ce nu?
\n\u2014 Ei bine, te dezleg, zisei eu, voind s-o pun \u00eentr-o \u00eencurc\u0103tur\u0103 din care nu-mi trecea prin minte cum are s\u0103 scape.<\/p>\n
Dete albumul Emiliei care citi cu glas tare versurile scrise.
\n\u2014 Cite\u0219te \u0219i isc\u0103litura, zisei eu, c\u00e2nd ajunse la sf\u00e2r\u0219it. Deodat\u0103 Emilia bufni de r\u00e2s.
\n\u2014 Ce r\u00e2zi, Emilio? cite\u0219te!…
\n\u2014 Ci-chir-me-za…, silabisi Emilia r\u00e2z\u00e2nd cu lacrimi. Cichirmeza era un tip caraghios din copil\u0103ria lor, \u0219i bietul dl Georges fusese \u00eenlocuit de Magda prin Cichirmeza!…<\/p>\n
Ce vrei? Cu fetele e greu s-o sco\u021bi la cap\u0103t! Peste pu\u021bin, trebuia s\u0103 plec\u0103m la Dumbrav\u0103, unde urma s\u0103 lu\u0103m masa de sear\u0103 \u0219i unde Florica avuse grij\u0103 de a trimite mai dinainte toate cele trebuitoare.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Hai, g\u0103ti\u021bi-v\u0103 de plecare! zise ea, adres\u00e2ndu-se la to\u021bi; am spus s\u0103 pun\u0103 caii.<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103 \u0219tii, Florico, zise Magda, \u021bin\u00e2ndu-i calea \u0219i v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-\u0219i fa\u021ba p\u00e2n\u0103 sub nasul Floric\u0103i, s\u0103 \u0219tii c\u0103 eu \u0219i cu b\u0103dia mergem c\u0103lare la Dumbrav\u0103; eu pe Pisicu\u021ba \u0219i b\u0103dia pe Burdachi al lui \u0218tefan: zi s\u0103 pun\u0103 \u0219eile.<\/p>\n
\u0218i venind repede dinaintea mea \u0219i at\u00e2rn\u00e2ndu-se u\u0219or \u00een jos de am\u00e2ndou\u0103 clapele surtucului meu:<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a-i, b\u0103die, c\u0103 mergem c\u0103lare la Dumbrav\u0103? zise ea, v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-\u0219i nebunatic \u0219i piezi\u0219, p\u00e2n\u0103 sub nasul meu, mutra-i vesel\u0103, de\u0219teapt\u0103 \u0219i \u00eentreb\u0103toare.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne vorb\u0103?! Cu mutra ta e\u0219ti \u00een stare s\u0103 faci pe cineva s\u0103 \u00eenghit\u0103 cuie de potcoav\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00cenh\u0103\u021b\u0103 pe Ana \u0219i pe Antonia de dup\u0103 g\u00e2t \u0219i ie\u0219i cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 buluc pe u\u0219\u0103.<\/p>\n
Dup\u0103 ea, dl Georges \u0219i apoi toate celelalte. Floricica r\u0103mase la urm\u0103.
\n\u2014 Floricico, n-ai s\u0103 r\u00e2zi de o rug\u0103minte ce am s\u0103-\u021bi fac?
\n\u2014 B\u0103die, zise ea cu un fel de durere \u00een glas \u0219i cu o dezn\u0103dejde gale\u0219\u0103 \u00een ochi, chiar dac-a\u0219 voi s\u0103 r\u00e2d, n-am s\u0103 pot, orice rug\u0103minte mi-ai face.<\/p>\n
A\u0219a n-o v\u0103zusem pe Floricica niciodat\u0103. \u00cei prinsei capul \u00eentre palme, ca unui copil, \u0219i, \u00eendrept\u00e2ndu-i fa\u021ba spre mine, o privii… avea ochii p\u0103ienjeni\u021bi de lacrimi.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Floricico, zisei eu privind-o \u00een ochi \u0219i urm\u00e2nd a \u021binea \u00eentre palme fa\u021ba-i \u00eendreptat\u0103 spre mine, Floricico, m\u0103 tem s\u0103 b\u0103nuiesc pricina st\u0103rii tale suflete\u0219ti; totu\u0219i mi se pare c\u0103 Magda e o nebun\u0103 \u0219i tu o proast\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 B\u0103die!… zise ea cu glas tremur\u0103tor; \u0219i, molatic, \u00ee\u0219i l\u0103s\u0103 fruntea s\u0103-i cad\u0103 pe pieptul meu.<\/p>\n
O s\u0103rutai u\u0219or \u00een cre\u0219tetul capului.
\n\u2014 Floricico, Floricico! din toat\u0103 gama dragostei noastre curate, senine \u0219i dumnezeie\u0219ti, o singur\u0103 not\u0103 mai lipsea… N-ai putea s\u0103-mi spui tu care?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gelozia!… zise ea ridic\u00e2nd repede fruntea \u0219i privindu-m\u0103 \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rat \u2014 gelozia!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu, Floricico, te \u00een\u0219eli… Prostia… \u0218i pentru \u00eent\u00e2ia \u0219i cea din urm\u0103 dat\u0103 \u00een via\u021ba mea str\u00e2nsei \u00een bra\u021be pe aceast\u0103 femeie, s\u0103rut\u00e2nd-o cu patim\u0103 pe am\u00e2ndoi obrajii… Era a\u0219a de frumoas\u0103!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i ce rug\u0103minte era s\u0103-mi faci? zise ea at\u00e2rn\u00e2ndu-mi-se de g\u00e2t cu ochii \u00eenroura\u021bi.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Pentru ziua de azi s\u0103 nu schimbi nimic din \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103mintea ta.
\n\u2014 A\u0219a-i c\u0103 \u021bi-s drag\u0103? zise ea \u0219terg\u00e2ndu-\u0219i ochii cu dosul am\u00e2nduror m\u00e2inilor; a\u0219a-i c\u0103 m\u0103 iube\u0219ti?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nebuno ce e\u0219ti! \u0218i apuc\u00e2nd-o de v\u00e2rful urechii, m\u0103 pref\u0103cui c\u0103-i fac v\u00e2nt pe u\u0219\u0103.
\n\u2014 Nebuno ce e\u0219ti!… s\u0103 nu schimbi azi o iot\u0103 din \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103mintea ta.<\/p>\n
Ie\u0219i. \u0218i c\u00e2nd r\u0103m\u0103sei singur, nu \u0219tiu dac\u0103 durerea, dezgustul de via\u021b\u0103 sau \u00eempietrirea ce \u00eenso\u021be\u0219te un trai f\u0103r’ de n\u0103dejde n\u0103v\u0103lir\u0103 fiecare \u00een parte sau dac\u0103 toate deodat\u0103 puser\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nire pe sufletul \u0219i inima mea…<\/p>\n
“Adic\u0103 \u2014 m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam eu \u2014 de ce soarta vitreg\u0103, dac\u0103 ne-a \u00eendrumat via\u021ba pe c\u0103r\u0103ri deosebite, n-a sf\u0103r\u00e2mat tot ea, \u00eencai, \u0219i leg\u0103turile ne\u00eendurate dintre dou\u0103 suflete nefericite? Sau poate voie\u0219te soarta s\u0103 afle de la mine \u0219i de la Floricica dac\u0103, \u00een cump\u0103na vie\u021bii, trag mai greu \u00eentocmirile omene\u0219ti dec\u00e2t cele dumnezeie\u0219ti? Doamne, Doamne!… \u2014 cugetai eu ca \u00eencheiere \u2014 pentru ce, \u00een rostul ad\u00e2nc al \u00een\u021belepciunii tale, ai mai z\u0103mislit p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cu puterea cuv\u00e2ntului t\u0103u? \u0218i dac\u0103 l-ai \u00eentrupat din nimica, oare, \u00een largul nesf\u00e2r\u0219itului t\u0103u f\u0103r\u0103 de margini, nu g\u0103seai un alt ad\u0103post pentru casa de nebuni?…”<\/p>\n
P\u00e2n\u0103 ce tot \u0219i toate s\u0103 fie gata de plecare, luai albumul Floricic\u0103i, care se afla din \u00eent\u00e2mplare pe mas\u0103, m\u0103 r\u0103sturnai \u00een col\u021bul \u0219tiut al canapelei, \u00eel deschisei… A\u0219 vrea s\u0103 smulg din suflet icoana fe\u021bei tale \u0218i-a ochilor t\u0103i raz\u0103 s\u0103-mi par\u0103 c\u0103 s-a stins! S\u0103 uit c\u0103 vreodat\u0103 te-am \u00eent\u00e2lnit \u00een cale… De te-am iubit… s\u0103-mi par\u0103 c\u0103 te-am iubit \u00een vis!! Noianul ve\u0219niciei a\u0219 vrea s\u0103 se deschid\u0103 Imens, f\u0103r\u0103 hotare, cu negre ad\u00e2ncimi, \u0218i-n bra\u021be de-ntuneric a\u0219 vrea s\u0103 m\u0103 cuprind\u0103 Pe veci…<\/p>\n
Magda intr\u0103 pe u\u0219\u0103 ca o vijelie.
\n\u2014 Gata, b\u0103die, hai!… \u0219i m\u0103 \u00eenh\u0103\u021b\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103.
\n\u2014 Du-te, te rog, Magdo, de spune femeii s\u0103-mi scoat\u0103 mantaua pe cerdac, c\u0103 vin \u0219i eu \u00eendat\u0103.<\/p>\n
Magda ie\u0219i repede.<\/p>\n
Pusei albumul pe mas\u0103 la locul lui. \u00cen o tr\u0103sur\u0103 mare de cas\u0103 se suir\u0103 toate fetele; \u00eentr-un docar mic c\u00e2t o g\u0103oace de nuc\u0103, tras de un cal b\u0103tr\u00e2n, numai c\u00e2t un \u0219oarece, se suir\u0103 Floricica cu dl Georges; Magda pe Pisicu\u021ba, b\u0103ie\u021be\u0219te, eu pe Burdachi, b\u0103rb\u0103te\u0219te. Tr\u0103surile apucar\u0103 \u00eenainte, eu cu Magda \u00eencheiam mersul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2nem, b\u0103die, mai \u00een urm\u0103, c\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eeneac\u0103 colbul, zise Magda strunind pe Pisicu\u021ba.<\/p>\n
Burdachi \u00ee\u0219i m\u0103sur\u0103, de la sine, pasul dup\u0103 al Pisicu\u021bei.
\n\u2014 Magdo, azi n-ai fost cuminte deloc, zisei eu privind \u00eenainte, f\u0103r\u0103 a-ntoarce capul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 De ce, b\u0103die? \u00eentreb\u0103 ea repede, f\u0103c\u00e2nd pe \u0219a o mi\u0219care, ca \u0219i cum ar fi voit s\u0103 se a\u0219eze cu fa\u021ba spre mine.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Pentru cuv\u00e2ntul c\u0103 azi, toat\u0103 ziua, ai fost un diavol \u00eempeli\u021bat.
\n\u2014 Ei, \u0219i?
\n\u2014 Ai sup\u0103rat pe Floricica…
\n\u2014 Mai \u00eent\u00e2i, Floricica n-are nici o treab\u0103 cu mine, \u0219i al doilea, dac\u0103 s-a sup\u0103rat, ei bine, am s-o mu\u0219c la Dumbrav\u0103 de v\u00e2rful nasului \u0219i am s-o dezm\u00e2nii.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a te \u00eempaci tu cu lumea?
\n\u2014 A\u0219a m\u0103 \u00eempac eu cu Floricica.
\n\u2014 \u0218i cu mine, dac\u0103 a\u0219 fi sup\u0103rat, cum te-ai \u00eemp\u0103ca? Simul\u0103 spre mine o mu\u0219c\u0103tur\u0103 \u00een aer, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 nimic.
\n\u2014 E\u0219ti pur \u0219i simplu un c\u0103\u021bel primejdios, Magdo…
\n\u2014 Da \u00eenger nu-s?
\n\u2014 \u0218i chiar dac-ai fi, eu vrei s\u0103 \u021bi-o spun asta?
\n\u2014 \u0218i de ce nu?… Hot\u0103r\u00e2t c\u0103 acest diavol de Magda \u00ee\u0219i b\u0103tea joc \u0219i de mine; totu\u0219i c\u0103zui pe g\u00e2nduri \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 la Dumbrav\u0103 nu mai schimbar\u0103m nici o vorb\u0103.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103m \u00een poiana Dumbr\u0103vii, caii erau desh\u0103ma\u021bi pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 tr\u0103suri; mai deoparte, masa alb\u0103 \u00eentins\u0103 pe iarba verde; iar prin f\u00e2na\u021bul \u00eenflorit al poienii, cuprins de umbra \u00eenalt\u0103 a stejarilor, fetele, care \u00eencotro, cu capetele goale, alergau dup\u0103 flori \u0219i dup\u0103 fluturi alba\u0219tri \u0219i galbeni de sear\u0103… Mi-nchipui c\u0103 n-a\u021bi v\u0103zut niciodat\u0103 un nebunatic stol de fete \u00eentr-un f\u00e2na\u021b \u00eenflorit… bine: atunci n-a\u021bi v\u0103zut nici un f\u00e2na\u021b de dou\u0103 ori \u00eenflorit. \u0218i z\u00e2na florilor \u0219i toate zeit\u0103\u021bile femeie\u0219ti ale apelor \u0219i ale p\u0103durilor, pl\u0103smuite de \u00eenchipuirea p\u0103g\u00e2n\u0103 a celor vechi, au trebuit s\u0103 r\u0103sar\u0103 din \u00eenrudirea fermecat\u0103 dintre floare \u0219i femeie… Totu\u0219i acest cadru zugr\u0103vit cu at\u00e2ta m\u0103iestrie de m\u00e2na \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii era m\u00e2njit de… o pat\u0103 de untdelemn!! Cel pu\u021bin dl Georges se hot\u0103r\u00e2se, de ast\u0103 dat\u0103, s\u0103 nu fie, nici mai mult, nici mai pu\u021bin, dec\u00e2t untdelemnul! \u00cen tot cazul, pardesiul d-sale, lung sau, mai bine zis, scurt de la ceafa-i ro\u0219ie p\u00e2n\u0103 aproape de ciubotele d-sale tot ro\u0219ii, b\u0103tea \u00een floarea verzie a untdelemnului de m\u0103sline grecesc!… Cel mult, dac\u0103 de sub m\u00e2neca pardesiului scotea capul la iveal\u0103 marginea sfioas\u0103 a man\u0219etei sale de un alb f\u0103r\u0103 cusur; iar din man\u0219et\u0103 se ar\u0103tau m\u00e2inile gr\u0103sulii ale dlui Georges, ocrotite \u00eempotriva mu\u0219c\u0103turilor soarelui, v\u00e2ntului \u0219i ale \u021b\u00e2n\u021barilor, de ni\u0219te m\u0103nu\u0219i Bismarck, adic\u0103 tot ro\u0219ii… \u0218i fiindc\u0103 diavoli\u021bele de fete fugeau, de nu le z\u0103reai, dup\u0103 fluturi \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile; \u0219i fiindc\u0103 rotunjimea scurt\u0103 \u0219i gr\u0103sulie a dlui Georges nu era cl\u0103dit\u0103 pe roate, apoi st\u0103tea \u0219i ea, \u00eenfipt\u0103 \u00een mijlocul poienii, \u0219i, cu o m\u00e2n\u0103, ce se silea s\u0103 par\u0103 \u00eendem\u00e2natic\u0103, cerca s\u0103 v\u00e2neze, cu o baghet\u0103 fin\u0103 de abanos, fluturii din aer… La r\u0103d\u0103cina unui stejar, aproape \u00eenmorm\u00e2ntat\u0103 \u00een iarba \u00eenalt\u0103, \u0219i \u00eenflorit\u0103, Floricica, \u00een rochia-i neagr\u0103 de m\u0103tase u\u0219oar\u0103, st\u0103tea culcat\u0103 cu capul rezemat pe m\u00e2n\u0103… Un g\u00e2nd dureros pe fruntea vesel\u0103 a naturii!…<\/p>\n
Desc\u0103lecai. Magda se duse c\u0103lare p\u00e2n\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 Floricica \u0219i, de c\u0103lare, \u00eei vorbi nu \u0219tiu ce; Floricica se scul\u0103 \u0219i Magda c\u0103zu deodat\u0103 de pe Pisicu\u021ba, drept \u00een g\u00e2tul Floric\u0103i…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Iu! auzii deodat\u0103 pe Floricica \u021bip\u00e2nd… \u0218i iute duse m\u00e2na la nas…<\/p>\n
M\u0103 bu\u0219i un r\u00e2s nebun \u0219i, r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, m\u0103 dusei l\u00e2ng\u0103 Floricica; Magda se \u0219i amestecase printre celelalte fete dup\u0103 flori \u0219i dup\u0103 fluturi.<\/p>\n
\u2014 B\u0103die, Magda a-nnebunit; m\u0103 roag\u0103 s\u0103-i ajut s\u0103 descalec \u0219i, dup\u0103 ce descalec\u0103, se repede la mine \u0219i m\u0103 mu\u0219c\u0103 de nas… \u0218i, m\u0103 rog, de ce r\u00e2zi?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 R\u00e2d, fiindc\u0103 niciodat\u0103 Magda n-a fost mai cuminte dec\u00e2t acum.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ce fel de cuminte, dac\u0103 m\u0103 mu\u0219c\u0103 de nas?
\n\u2014 Tocmai fiindc\u0103 te-a mu\u0219cat de nas! I-am spus c\u0103 te-a sup\u0103rat purtarea ei de azi \u0219i s-a hot\u0103r\u00e2t s\u0103 te mu\u0219te de nas, ca s\u0103 te dezm\u00e2nie, \u0219i te-a mu\u0219cat; mai cuminte, ce vrei?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Putea s\u0103 m\u0103 s\u0103rute.
\n\u2014 Magda mu\u0219c\u0103, nu s\u0103rut\u0103, zisei eu senten\u021bios. Un v\u00e2nt care se isc\u0103 din senin \u0219i c\u00e2\u021biva nori aduna\u021bi \u00een prip\u0103 la sfat deasupra capetelor noastre ne gr\u0103bir\u0103 masa \u0219i ne scurtar\u0103 \u0219ederea \u00een Dumbrav\u0103, pe care, de altmintrelea, ne hot\u0103r\u00e2sem s-o m\u00e2n\u0103m p\u00e2n\u0103 noaptea pe lun\u0103… Du\u0219mani ai poeziei vie\u021bii se g\u0103sesc, de multe ori, \u0219i \u00een aer!<\/p>\n
Cu aceea\u0219i regul\u0103 ca la venit, ne \u00eentoarser\u0103m devreme acas\u0103. Seara, ceai \u0219i sindrofie. Dl Georges, cu o v\u0103dit\u0103 iscusin\u021b\u0103 \u0219i m\u00e2ndru oarecum de \u00eendem\u00e2narea \u0219i des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219ita-i destoinicie, \u00eenjghebase cu fetele jocuri de “societate”, pe care le vr\u00e2sta, din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, cu c\u00e2te o bosc\u0103rie cu o batist\u0103, cu un gologan, cu c\u0103r\u021bile de joc… \u0219i mai ales cu c\u0103r\u021bile de joc!!…<\/p>\n
Magda, cuprins\u0103 de o melancolie pref\u0103cut\u0103 \u0219i ghidu\u0219\u0103, de te umfla r\u00e2sul, se a\u0219ezase dinaintea pianului \u0219i\u00a0scherzando, andante,<\/i>\u00a0staccato, veloce, con brio…\u00a0se alinta cu degete u\u0219oare pe clapele<\/i>\u00a0albe \u0219i negre ale pianului \u0219i, din gamele-i nebunatice \u0219i st\u00e2lcite, sim\u021birea nu lipsea!… Magda era tipul des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219it al femeii, care, sub forme u\u0219oare \u0219i nestatornice, ascunde \u00een\u021belesuri temeinice \u0219i ad\u00e2nci!…<\/p>\n
Floricica, plecat\u0103 sub lumina l\u0103mpii pe o catifea vi\u0219inie, \u00ee\u0219i cosea pe d\u00e2nsa g\u00e2ndurile cu fire de aur…<\/p>\n
Eu?… Eu st\u0103team r\u0103sturnat \u0219i lini\u0219tit \u00een col\u021bul \u0219tiut al canapelei \u0219i, prin norii viorii ai fumului de \u021bigar\u0103, m\u0103 sileam s\u0103 p\u0103trund \u00een ad\u00e2ncul dep\u0103rtat al lumii de g\u00e2nduri ce fr\u0103m\u00e2nta poate at\u00e2tea capete vesele \u0219i \u00eenflorite sau melancolice \u0219i vis\u0103toare… “…Acela\u0219i cap \u00eel pleci \u0219-acum Pe m\u00e2na-\u021bi de copil; \u0218i-ntip\u0103rit e-n umbr-acela\u0219i Dumnezeiesc profil! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \u0218-acum din visu-\u021bi te de\u0219tept Cu-aceea\u0219i s\u0103rutare; \u0218-acela\u0219i rumen trandafir Pe fa\u021ba ta r\u0103sare!…”<\/p>\n
Cugetam eu privind pe Floricica cum st\u0103tea plecat\u0103 \u0219i cum, pe fundul de lumin\u0103, era s\u0103pat \u00een linii de umbr\u0103 profilul ei dumnezeiesc!…<\/p>\n
Cu toate acestea, cum era ea de cufundat\u0103 \u00een acul \u0219i a\u021ba ei… mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 v\u0103d pe Venera \u00eempletind la col\u021bun…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Unde \u021bi-e albumul, cuconi\u021b\u0103 Floricico? \u00eentrebai eu de departe \u2014 te rog s\u0103 mi-l dai, c\u0103 am s\u0103-\u021bi scriu ceva pe el; cine \u0219tie dac\u0103 voi avea prilejul de a-\u021bi mai face versuri de acum \u00eenainte; m\u00e2ini plec pe coclauri \u0219i…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i ai s\u0103 te \u00eentorci iar pe aici, zise ea oprindu-\u0219i acul la mijlocul unei \u00eempuns\u0103turi \u0219i \u00eentorc\u00e2nd capul spre mine.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dac\u0103 nu m\u0103 ia dracu, poate… Magda se \u0219i sculase repede de la piano, luase albumul de pe mas\u0103 \u0219i mi-l pusese pe genunchi \u00eempreun\u0103 cu un creion mic.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Numai te rog, zise Floricica, s\u0103 faci bine s\u0103 nu-mi scrii vro ghidu\u0219ie, cum ai totdeauna obiceiul de a-mi scrie pe albumul meu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu, nu! de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 m-am hot\u0103r\u00e2t s\u0103 fiu foarte serios…<\/p>\n
Magda \u00ee\u0219i relu\u0103 locul la piano, Floricica sf\u00e2r\u0219i \u00eempuns\u0103tura \u00eenceput\u0103 \u0219i-\u0219i urm\u0103 lucrul, dl Georges scotea cordele pe nas, fetele c\u0103scau gura, eu… f\u0103ceam versuri… IDEAL PIERDUT Ai, desigur, ochii negri, gura mic\u0103, nasul fin, \u0218-un oval t\u0103iat cu art\u0103 de vrun maestru divin! Mersul t\u0103u, \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219area, trandafirii de pe buze Mi-amintesc pe cea mai dulce dintre cele nou\u0103 Muze. Tot ce vede ochiul, g\u00e2ndul, \u00een cereasca ta f\u0103ptur\u0103, Mai presus m\u0103-nfioreaz\u0103, dec\u00e2t tot ce e-n natur\u0103! Ah! A\u0219 pune firmamentul sub picioare-\u021bi pedestal… \u0218i s\u0103 fac \u2014 a\u0219 vrea \u2014 din tine str\u0103lucitu-mi ideal!… \u0218i a\u0219a cum te-ar \u00eencinge nimbul t\u0103u dumnezeiesc, O \u00eentreag\u0103 ve\u0219nicie a\u0219 voi s\u0103 te privesc!… Dec\u00e2t spinul, Floricico, cre\u0219te ve\u0219nic l\u00e2ng\u0103 roz\u0103, Poezia \u0219chiop\u0103teaz\u0103 \u0219i se schimb-ades \u00een proz\u0103… E\u0219ti frumoas\u0103, Floricico… O minune-ntre minuni!… Las\u0103 dracului andreaua… Nu c\u00e2rpi seara col\u021buni!…<\/p>\n
Magda citi cu glas tare, \u0219i strofei din urm\u0103 \u00eei d\u0103du o intona\u021bie a\u0219a de natural\u0103, \u0219i la: “Nu c\u00e2rpi seara col\u021buni”, d\u0103du cu dosul m\u00e2inii o a\u0219a de m\u0103iastr\u0103 lovitur\u0103 peste catifeaua Floric\u0103i, \u00eenc\u00e2t zbur\u0103 biata catifea tocmai \u00een fundul od\u0103ii.<\/p>\n
Se st\u00e2rni un colosal hohot de r\u00e2s, iar bietul dl Georges r\u0103mase la mijlocul unei bosc\u0103rii \u00eencepute.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Vezi, b\u0103die, c\u0103 iar mi-ai scris ghidu\u0219ii pe albumul meu? Dac\u0103-s eu nebun\u0103 \u0219i \u021bi-l dau!…<\/p>\n
A doua zi diminea\u021b\u0103, \u0219i eu \u0219i Pisicu\u021ba apucar\u0103m drumul muntelui…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
De ast\u0103 dat\u0103, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 plec c\u0103lare \u0219i, fiindc\u0103 era asupra iarmarocului de la Duminica Mare, rugai pe prietenul meu Tasache Cr\u0103c\u0103uanu, cel mai vestit hipolog sau, mai bine zis, geamba\u0219 de pe vremuri, s\u0103-mi \u00eenchipuie un cal potrivit pungii mele \u0219i \u021bintei ce urm\u0103ream. Astfel, spre seara mai sus-pomenitei sfinte duminici, numai ce-l […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-calistrat-hogas-pe-drumuri-de-munte-1912","tag-calistrat-hogas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":266,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256\/revisions\/266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}