Un sfert de ceas p\u00e2n\u0103 la hanul lui M\u00e2njoal\u0103… de-acolea, p\u00e2n\u0103-n Pope\u0219tii-de-sus, o po\u0219tie: \u00een buiestru potrivit, un ceas \u0219i jum\u0103tate… Buiestra\u0219u-i bun… dac\u0103-i dau gr\u0103un\u021be la han \u0219i-l odihnesc trei sferturi de ceas… merge. Care va s\u0103 zic\u0103, un sfert \u0219i cu trei, un ceas, \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103-n Pope\u0219ti unul \u0219i jum\u0103tate, fac doua \u0219i jum\u0103tate… Acu sunt \u0219apte trecute: \u0103l mai t\u00e2rziu p\u00e2n\u0103 la zece, sunt la pocovnicu Iordache… Am cam \u00eent\u00e2rziat… trebuia s\u0103 plec mai devreme… dar \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it!… de a\u0219teptat, m\u0103 a\u0219teapt\u0103…<\/p>\n
A\u0219a socotind \u00een g\u00e2nd, am \u0219i v\u0103zut de departe, ca la o b\u0103taie bun\u0103 de pu\u0219c\u0103, lumin\u0103 mult\u0103 la hanul lui M\u00e2njoal\u0103, adic\u0103 a\u0219a-i r\u0103m\u0103sese numele; acum era hanul M\u00e2njoloaii – omul murise de vreo cinci ani… Zdrav\u0103n\u0103 femeie! ce a f\u0103cut, ce a dres, de unde era c\u00e2t p-aci s\u0103 le v\u00e2nz\u0103 hanul c\u00e2nd tr\u0103ia b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u, acum s-a pl\u0103tit de datorii, a dres acaretul, a mai ridicat un grajd de piatr\u0103, \u0219i \u00eenc\u0103 spun to\u021bi c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 aib\u0103 \u0219i parale bune. Unii o b\u0103nuiesc c\u0103 o fi g\u0103sit vreo comoar\u0103… al\u021bii, c\u0103 umbl\u0103 cu farmece. Odat\u0103 au vrut s-o calce t\u00e2lharii… S-au apucat s\u0103-i sparg\u0103 u\u0219a. Unul dintre ei, \u0103l mai voinic, un om c\u00e2t un taur, a ridicat toporul \u0219i c\u00e2nd a tras cu sete, a picat jos. L-au ridicat repede! era mort… Frate-s\u0103u a dat s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103, dar n-a putut – amu\u021bise. Erau patru in\u0219i. L-au pus pe mort \u00een spinarea lui frate-s\u0103u, \u0219i ceilal\u021bi doi l-au apucat de picioare, s\u0103-l \u00eengroape undeva departe. C\u00e2nd s\u0103 ias\u0103 din curtea hanului, M\u00e2njoloaia \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige pe fereastr\u0103: ho\u021bii! \u0219i-n fa\u021b\u0103-le, iac\u0103 zapciul cu mai mul\u021bi in\u0219i \u0219i cu patru doroban\u021bi c\u0103l\u0103ri. Strig\u0103 pomojnicul: “Cine-i?” Ho\u021bii cei doi fugi care-ncotro! r\u0103m\u00e2ne mutul cu frate-s\u0103u mort \u00een c\u00e2rc\u0103. Acu, ce te faci la cercetare? Toat\u0103 lumea \u0219tia c\u0103 mutul vorbe\u0219te; cui putea s\u0103-i treac\u0103 prin cap c\u0103 mutul nu se preface? L-au b\u0103tut p\u00e2n\u0103 l-au smintit, ca s\u0103-i vie glasul la loc – degeaba. De atunci li s-a t\u0103iat pofta fl\u0103c\u0103ilor s\u0103 mai calce hanul…<\/p>\n
P\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103-mi treac\u0103 toate astea prin minte, am sosit. O sum\u0103 de car\u0103 poposesc \u00een curtea hanului; unele duc la vale cherestea, altele porumb la deal. E o sear\u0103 aspr\u0103 de toamn\u0103. Chirigiii se-nc\u0103lzesc pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 focuri… de aceea se vedea at\u00e2ta lumin\u0103 de departe. Un argat \u00eemi ia calul \u00een primire s\u0103-i dea gr\u0103un\u021be la grajd. Intru \u00een c\u00e2rcium\u0103, unde fac refenea oameni mul\u021bi, pe c\u00e2nd doi \u021bigani somnoro\u0219i, unul cu l\u0103uta \u0219i altul cu cobza, \u021b\u00e2rl\u00e2ie \u00eentr-un col\u021b oltene\u0219te. Mi-e foame \u0219i frig – m-a r\u0103zbit umezeala.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Unde-i cocoana? \u00eentreb pe b\u0103iatul de la tarab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2013 La cuptor.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Trebuie s\u0103-i fie mai cald acolo, zic eu \u0219i trec, printr-o s\u0103li\u021b\u0103, din c\u00e2rcium\u0103 \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie…<\/p>\n
Foarte curat \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie… \u0219i abur nu ca \u00een c\u00e2rcium\u0103, de cojoace, de cizme \u0219i de opinci jilave – abur de p\u00e2ne cald\u0103. M\u00e2njoloaia privighea cuptorul…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Bine v-am g\u0103sit, cocoan\u0103 Marghioalo.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Bine-a\u021bi venit, cocoane F\u0103nic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Mai s-o fi g\u0103sind ceva de m\u00e2ncare?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Pentru oameni de omenie ca dumneata, \u0219i la miezul nop\u021bii. \u0218i repede cocoana Marghioala d\u0103 porunc\u0103 unei cotoroan\u021be s\u0103 puie de masa-n odaie, \u0219i pe urm\u0103 s-apropie de cotlon la vatr\u0103, \u0219i zice:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Uite, alege-\u021bi.<\/p>\n
Cocoana Marghioala era frumoas\u0103, voinic\u0103 \u0219i ochioas\u0103, \u0219tiam. Niciodat\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 de c\u00e2nd o cuno\u0219team – \u0219-o cuno\u0219team de mult; trecusem pe la hanul lui M\u00e2njoal\u0103 de at\u00e2tea ori, \u00eenc\u0103 de copil, pe c\u00e2nd tr\u0103ia r\u0103posatul taic\u0103-meu, c\u0103 pe acolo n-era drumul la t\u00e2rg – niciodat\u0103 nu mi se p\u0103ruse mai pl\u0103cut\u0103… Eram t\u00e2n\u0103r, cur\u0103\u021bel \u0219i obraznic, mai mult obraznic dec\u00e2t cur\u0103\u021bel. M-am apropiat pe la st\u00e2nga ei, cum era aplecat\u0103 spre vatr\u0103, \u0219i am apucat-o peste mijloc; ajung\u00e2nd cu m\u00e2na la bra\u021bul ei drept, tare ca piatra, m-a-mpins dracul s-o ciupesc.<\/p>\n
\u2013 N-ai de lucru? zice femeia \u0219i s-a uitat la mine chior\u00e2\u0219… Dar eu ca s-o dreg, zic:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Stra\u0219nici ochi ai, cocoan\u0103 Marghioalo!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ia nu m\u0103-nc\u00e2nta; mai bine spune ce s\u0103-\u021bi dau.<\/p>\n
\u2013 S\u0103-mi dai… s\u0103-mi dai… D\u0103-mi ce ai dumneata…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Z\u0103u…<\/p>\n
\u2013 \u0218i eu, oft\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Fie, c\u0103 stra\u0219nici ochi ai, coan\u0103 Marghioalo!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dac\u0103 te-aude socru-t\u0103u?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Care socru?… de unde \u0219tii?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dumneata g\u00e2nde\u0219ti c\u0103 dac\u0103 te ascunzi sub c\u0103ciul\u0103, nu te mai vede nimeni ce faci… Nu te duci la pocovnicu Iordache s\u0103 te logode\u0219ti cu fata a mai mare?… Aide, nu te mai uita a\u0219a la mine; treci \u00een odaie la mas\u0103.<\/p>\n
Multe od\u0103i curate \u0219i odihnite am v\u0103zut \u00een via\u021ba mea, dar ca odaia aceea… Ce pat! ce perdelu\u021be! ce pere\u021bi! ce tavan! toate albe ca laptele. \u0218i abajurul \u0219i toate cele – lucrate cu igli\u021ba \u00een fel-de-fel de fe\u021be… \u0219i cald ca sub o aripa de clo\u0219c\u0103… \u0219i un miros de mere \u0219i de gutui.<\/p>\n
Am vrut s\u0103 m\u0103 a\u0219ez la mas\u0103 \u0219i, dup\u0103 obiceiul apucat din copil\u0103rie, m-am \u00eentors s\u0103 v\u0103z \u00eencotro e r\u0103s\u0103ritul s\u0103 m\u0103-nchin. M-am uitat cu b\u0103gare de seam\u0103 de jur \u00eemprejur pe to\u021bi pere\u021bii – nici o icoan\u0103. Zice cocoana Marghioala:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ce te ui\u021bi? Zic:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Icoanele… Unde le \u021bii?<\/p>\n
Zice:<\/p>\n
\u2013 D\u0103-le focului de icoane! d-abia pr\u0103sesc cari \u0219i p\u0103duchi de lemn…<\/p>\n
Femeie curat\u0103!… M-am a\u0219ezat la mas\u0103 f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-mi cruce dup\u0103 datin\u0103, c\u00e2nd deodat\u0103, un r\u0103cnet: c\u0103lcasem, se vede cu potcoava cizmii, pe un cotoi b\u0103tr\u00e2n, care era sub mas\u0103. Cocoana Marghioala sare repede \u0219i deschide u\u0219a de perete; cotoiul sup\u0103rat d\u0103 n\u0103val\u0103 afar\u0103, pe c\u00e2nd aerul rece n\u0103p\u0103de\u0219te-n\u0103untru \u0219i stinge lampa. Caut\u0103 chibriturile pe b\u00e2jb\u00e2ite; caut eu \u00eencolo, caut\u0103 cocoana-ncoace – ne-am \u00eent\u00e2lnit piept \u00een piept pe-ntunerec… Eu, obraznic, o iau bine-n bra\u021be \u0219i-ncep s-o pup… Cocoana mai nu prea vrea, mai se l\u0103sa; \u00eei ardea obrajii, gura-i era rece \u0219i i se zb\u00e2rlise pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 urechi puful piersicii. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u0219it iac\u0103 jup\u00e2neasa aduce tava cu dem\u00e2ncare \u0219i cu o lum\u00e2nare. Pesemne om fi c\u0103utat mult chibriturile, c\u0103 \u021bilindrul l\u0103mpii se r\u0103cise de tot. Am aprins-o iar.<\/p>\n
Bun\u0103 m\u00e2ncare! p\u00e2ine cald\u0103, ra\u021b\u0103 fript\u0103 pe varz\u0103, c\u00e2rna\u021bi de purcel pr\u0103ji\u021bi, \u0219i ni\u0219te vin! \u0219i cafea turceasc\u0103! \u0219i r\u00e2s \u0219i vorb\u0103… halal s\u0103-i fie cocoanei Marghioalii! Dup\u0103 cafea zice cotoroan\u021bii:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Spune s\u0103 scoat\u0103 o jum\u0103tate de t\u0103m\u00e2ioas\u0103…<\/p>\n
Grozav\u0103 t\u0103m\u00e2ioas\u0103!… M\u0103 apucase un fel de amor\u021beal\u0103 pe la \u00eencheieturi; m-am dat a\u0219a-ntr-o parte pe pat, s\u0103 trag o \u021bigara cu ale din urm\u0103 pic\u0103turi chihlimbarii din pahar, \u0219i m\u0103 uitam prin fumul tutunului la cocoana Marghioala, care \u00eemi sta pe scaun \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 \u0219i-mi f\u0103cea \u021big\u0103ri. Zic:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Fie, cocoan\u0103 Marghioal\u0103, stra\u0219nici ochi ai!… \u0218tii ce?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ce?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dac\u0103 nu te superi, s\u0103-mi mai faci o cafea; da… nu a\u0219a dulce…<\/p>\n
\u0218i r\u00e2zi!… C\u00e2nd vine jup\u00e2neasa cu cafeaua, zice:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Cocoan\u0103, dumneavoastr\u0103 sta\u021bi de vorb\u0103 aici… nu \u0219ti\u021bi ce-i afar\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ce e?<\/p>\n
\u2013 S-a pornit un v\u00e2nt de sus… vine pr\u0103p\u0103d.<\/p>\n
Am s\u0103rit drept \u00een picioare \u0219i m-am uitat la ceas: zece \u0219i aproape trei sferturi. \u00cen loc de o jum\u0103tate de ceas, st\u0103tusem la han dou\u0103 ceasuri \u0219i jum\u0103tate? Vezi ce e c\u00e2nd te-ncurci la vorb\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u2013 S\u0103-mi scoa\u021b\u0103 calul!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Cine?… Arga\u021bii s-au culcat.<\/p>\n
\u2013 M\u0103 duc eu la grajd…<\/p>\n
\u2013 \u021ai-a pus ulcica la pocovnicu! zice cocoana pufnind de r\u00e2s \u0219i \u021bin\u00e2ndu-mi calea la u\u0219\u0103.<\/p>\n
Am dat-o bini\u0219or la o parte \u0219i am ie\u0219it pe prisp\u0103. \u00cen adev\u0103r, era o vreme vajnic\u0103… Focurile chirigiilor se stinseser\u0103; oameni \u0219i vite dormeau pe coceni, v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-se cumin\u021bi unii-ntr-al\u021bii jos la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, pe c\u00e2nd pe sus prin v\u0103zduh urla v\u00e2ntul nebun.<\/p>\n
\u2013 E vifor mare, zise cocoana Marghioala, \u00eenfiorat\u0103 \u0219i apuc\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 str\u00e2ns de m\u00e2n\u0103; e\u0219ti prost? s\u0103 pleci pe vremea asta! M\u00e2i de noapte aici; pleci m\u00e2ine pe lumin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Nu se poate…<\/p>\n
Mi-am tras m\u00e2na cu putere; am mers la grajd; cu mare greutate am de\u0219teptat un argat \u0219i mi-am g\u0103sit calul; l-am \u00eenchingat, l-am tras la scar\u0103 \u0219i m-am suit \u00een odaie s\u0103-mi iau noapte bun\u0103 de la gazd\u0103. Femeia, dus\u0103 pe g\u00e2nduri, \u0219edea pe pat cu c\u0103ciula mea \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, o tot \u00eenv\u00e2rtea \u0219-o r\u0103sucea.<\/p>\n
\u2013 C\u00e2t am de plat\u0103? am \u00eentrebat.<\/p>\n
\u2013 \u00cemi pl\u0103te\u0219ti c\u00e2nd treci \u00eenapoi, r\u0103spunse gazda, uit\u00e2ndu-se ad\u00e2nc \u00een fundul c\u0103ciulii.<\/p>\n
\u0218i pe urm\u0103 se ridic\u0103 \u00een picioare \u0219i mi-o \u00eentinse. Mi-am luat c\u0103ciula \u0219-am pus-o-n cap, a\u0219a cam la o parte. Zic, privind pe femeie drept \u00een lumini, cari-i sticleau grozav de ciudat:<\/p>\n
\u2013 S\u0103rut ochii, cocoan\u0103 Marghioalo!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Umbl\u0103 s\u0103n\u0103tos!<\/p>\n
M-am aruncat pe \u0219ea; jup\u00e2neasa b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 mi-a deschis poarta, \u0219i am ie\u0219it. Rezemat cu palma st\u00e2ng\u0103 pe coapsa calului, mi-am \u00eentors \u00eenapoi capul; peste zaplazul \u00eenalt se vedea u\u0219a od\u0103ii deschis\u0103, \u0219i \u00een deschiz\u0103tur\u0103, umbra alb\u0103 a femeii adumbrindu-\u0219i cu m\u00e2na arcurile sprincenelor. Am \u021binut la pas \u00eencetinel, fluier\u00e2nd un c\u00e2ntec de lume ca pentru mine singur, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd, cotind dup\u0103 zaplaz s\u0103-mi apuc drumul, mi s-a ascuns vederea cadrii. Am zis: hi! la drum! \u0219i mi-am f\u0103cut cruce: atunci am auzit bine u\u0219a bufnind \u0219i un vaet de cotoi. Gazda mea \u0219tia c\u0103 nu o mai v\u0103z, intrase degrab \u00een c\u0103ldur\u0103 \u0219i apucase pe cotoi cu u\u0219a, desigur. Afurisit cotoi! se tot v\u00e2r\u0103 p\u00e2ntre picioarele oamenilor.<\/p>\n
S\u0103 fi mers o bucat\u0103 bun\u0103 de drum. Viforul cre\u0219tea scutur\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 de pe \u0219ea. \u00cen \u00eenalt, nori dup\u0103 nori zburau op\u0103ci\u021bi ca de spaima unei pedepse de mai sus, unii la vale pe dedesubt, al\u021bii pe deasupra la deal, perdeluind \u00een clipe largi, c\u00e2nd mai gros, c\u00e2nd mai sub\u021bire, lumina ostenit\u0103 a sfertului din urm\u0103. Frigul ud m\u0103 p\u0103trundea; sim\u021beam c\u0103-mi \u00eenghea\u021b\u0103 pulpele \u0219i bra\u021bele. Merg\u00e2nd cu capul plecat ca s\u0103 nu m\u0103-nece v\u00e2ntul, \u00eencepui s\u0103 sim\u021b durere la cerbice, la frunte \u0219i la t\u00e2mple fierbin\u021beal\u0103 \u0219i bubuituri \u00een urechi. Am b\u0103ut prea mult! m-am g\u00e2ndit eu, d\u00e2ndu-mi c\u0103ciula mai la ceaf\u0103 \u0219i ridic\u00e2ndu-mi fruntea spre cer. Dar v\u00e2rtejul norilor m\u0103 ame\u021bea; m\u0103 ardea sub coastele din st\u00e2nga. Am sorbit \u00een ad\u00e2nc v\u00e2ntul rece, dar un junghi m-a fulgerat p\u00e2n tot co\u0219ul pieptului de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo. Am plecat iar b\u0103rbia. C\u0103ciula parc\u0103 m\u0103 str\u00e2ngea de cap ca o menghinea; am scos-o \u0219i am pus-o pe oblanc… Mi-era r\u0103u… N-am f\u0103cut bine s\u0103 plec! La pocovnicu Iordache trebuie s\u0103 doarm\u0103 toat\u0103 lumea: m-or fi a\u0219teptat; pe vremea asta, or fi crezut oamenii, fire\u0219te, c\u0103 n-am fost prost s\u0103 plec… Am \u00eendemnat calul care se-mpletecea parc\u0103 b\u0103use \u0219i el…<\/p>\n
Dar v\u00e2ntul s-a mai potolit; s-a luminat a ploaie; lumin\u0103 ce\u021boas\u0103; \u00eencepe s\u0103 cearn\u0103 m\u0103runt \u0219i-n\u021bepos… \u00cemi pun iar c\u0103ciula… Deodat\u0103 s\u00e2ngele \u00eencepe iar s\u0103-mi arz\u0103 pere\u021bii capului. Calul a obosit de tot; g\u00e2f\u00e2ie de-necul v\u00e2ntului. \u00ceI str\u00e2ng \u00een c\u0103lc\u00e2ie, \u00eei dau o lovitur\u0103 de biciu\u0219c\u0103; dobitocul face c\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i pripi\u021bi, pe urm\u0103 sfor\u0103ie \u0219i se opre\u0219te pe loc ca \u0219i cum ar vedea \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 o piedic\u0103 nea\u0219teptat\u0103. M\u0103 uit… \u00cen adev\u0103r, la c\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i \u00eenaintea calului z\u0103resc o mog\u00e2ndea\u021b\u0103 mic\u0103 s\u0103rind \u0219i \u021bop\u0103ind… Un dobitoc!… Ce s\u0103 fie?… Fiar\u0103?… E prea mic\u0103… Pun m\u00e2na pe revolver; atunci auz tare un glas de c\u0103pri\u021b\u0103… \u00cendemn calul c\u00e2t pot; el se-ntoarce-n loc \u0219i porne\u0219te-napoi. C\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i… \u0219i iar st\u0103 sfor\u00e2ind… Iar c\u0103pri\u021ba… \u00eel opresc, \u00eel \u00eentorc, \u00eei dau c\u00e2teva lovituri, str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-l din z\u0103bal\u0103. Porne\u0219te… C\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i… Iar c\u0103pri\u021ba… Norii s-au sub\u021biat de tot; acuma v\u0103z c\u00e2t se poate de bine. E o c\u0103pri\u021b\u0103 mic\u0103 neagr\u0103; aci merge, aci se-ntoarce; arunc\u0103 din copite; pe urm\u0103 se ridic\u0103-n dou\u0103 picioare, se repede cu b\u0103rbi\u021ba \u00een piept \u0219i cu fruntea \u00eenainte s\u0103-mpung\u0103, \u0219i face s\u0103rituri de necrezut \u0219i meh\u0103ie \u0219i fel-de-fel de nebunii. M\u0103 dau jos de pe cal, care nu mai vrea s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u00een ruptul capului, \u0219i-l apuc scurt de c\u0103p\u0103stru: m\u0103 aplec pe vine-n jos: “\u021aa-\u021ba!” \u0219i chem c\u0103pri\u021ba cu m\u00e2na parc\u0103 a\u0219 vrea s\u0103-i dau t\u0103r\u00e2\u021be. C\u0103pri\u021ba se apropie zburd\u00e2nd mereu. Calul sfor\u0103ie nebun, d\u0103 s\u0103 se smuceasc\u0103; m\u0103 pune \u00een genunchi, dar \u00eel \u021biu bine. C\u0103pri\u021ba s-a apropiat de m\u00e2na mea: e un ied negru, foarte dr\u0103gu\u021b, care se las\u0103 bl\u00e2nd sa-l ridic de jos. L-am pus \u00een desaga din dreapta peste ni\u0219te haine. \u00cen vremea asta, calul se cutremur\u0103 \u0219i d\u00e2rd\u00e2ie din toate \u00eencheieturile ca de frigurile mor\u021bii.<\/p>\n
Am \u00eenc\u0103lecat… Calul a pornit n\u0103uc.<\/p>\n
De mult acum, mergea ca pra\u0219tia s\u0103rind peste gropi, peste mo\u0219oroaie, peste bu\u0219teni, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-l mai pot opri, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 cunosc locurile \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u0219tiu unde m\u0103 ducea. \u00cen goana asta, c\u00e2nd la fiecare clip\u0103 \u00eemi puteam fr\u00e2nge g\u00e2tul, cu trupul \u00eenghe\u021bat \u0219i capul ca-n foc, m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam la culcu\u0219ul bun pe care-l p\u0103r\u0103sisem proste\u0219te… De ce? Cocoana Marghioala mi-ar fi dat mie odaia ei, aminteri nu m\u0103 poftea… Iedul se mi\u0219ca \u00een desag\u0103 s\u0103 se a\u0219eze mai bine: mi-am \u00eentors privirea spre el: cuminte, cu capul de\u0219tept scos afar\u0103 din desag\u0103, se uita \u0219i el la mine. Mi-am adus aminte de al\u021bi ochi… Ce prost am fost!… Calul se poticne\u0219te; \u00eel opresc \u00een sil\u0103; vrea s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 iar, dar cade zdrobit \u00een genunchi. Deodat\u0103, printr-o sp\u0103rtur\u0103 de nori se arat\u0103 felia din urm\u0103 aplecat\u0103 pe o r\u00e2n\u0103. Ar\u0103tarea ei m-a ame\u021bit ca o lovitur\u0103 de m\u0103ciuc\u0103 la mir. Mi-era \u00een fa\u021b\u0103… Atunci sunt dou\u0103 luni pe cer! eu merg la deal: luna trebuie s\u0103-mi fie \u00een spate! \u0218i mi-am \u00eentors repede capul, s-o v\u0103z pe cea adev\u0103rat\u0103… Am gre\u0219it drumul! merg la vale… Unde sunt? M\u0103 uit \u00eenainte; porumbi\u0219te cu cocenii net\u0103ia\u021bi; la spate, c\u00e2mp larg. \u00cemi fac cruce, str\u00e2ng\u00e2nd de necaz calul cu pulpele amor\u021bite ca s\u0103 se ridice – atunci, sim\u021b o zv\u00e2cneal\u0103 puternic\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 piciorul drept. Un \u021bip\u0103t… Am strivit iedul! Pun m\u00e2na iute la desag\u0103: desaga goal\u0103 – am pierdut iedul pe drum! Calul se scoal\u0103 scutur\u00e2ndu-\u0219i capul ca de buim\u0103ceal\u0103; se ridic\u0103 \u00een dou\u0103 picioare, se smuce\u0219te-ntr-o parte \u0219i m\u0103 tr\u00e2nte\u0219te \u00een partea ailalt\u0103; pe urm\u0103 o ia la goan\u0103 pe c\u00e2mp ca de streche \u0219i piere-n \u00eentunerec. Pe c\u00e2nd m\u0103 ridic zdruncinat, auz fo\u0219neal\u0103 p\u00e2ntre coceni \u0219i un glas de om din apropiere, tare:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Tiu! \u021aa-\u021ba! Ptiu! Ucig\u0103-te toaca, duce-te-ai pe pustii!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Care-i acolo? strig eu.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Om bun!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Care?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Gheorghe!<\/p>\n
\u2013 Care Gheorghe?<\/p>\n
\u2013 N\u0103tru\u021b… Gheorghe N\u0103tru\u021b care p\u0103ze\u0219te la coceni.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Da nu vii \u00eencoace?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ba iaca viu.<\/p>\n
\u0218i din coceni, se arat\u0103 umbra omului.<\/p>\n
\u2013 M\u0103 rog, frate Gheorghe, unde suntem noi aicea? am r\u0103t\u0103cit cu viforul \u0103sta drumul.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Da unde vreai dumneata s\u0103 mergi?<\/p>\n
\u2013 La Pope\u0219tii-de-sus.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ehei ! La pocovnicu Iordache.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ei da.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Apoi, n-ai r\u0103t\u0103cit drumul… da mai ai de furca p\u00e2n\u0103-n Pope\u0219ti… Aicea e\u0219ti d-abia \u00een H\u0103cule\u0219ti.<\/p>\n
\u2013 \u00cen H\u0103cule\u0219ti? am zis cu bucurie. Atunci sunt aproape de hanul lui M\u00e2njoal\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Uite-l colea; suntem \u00een spatele grajdului.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Hai de-mi arat\u0103 drumul, s\u0103 nu-mi rup g\u00e2tul tocm-acuma.<\/p>\n
R\u0103t\u0103cisem vreo patru ceasuri…<\/p>\n
\u00cen c\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i am ajuns la poart\u0103. La odaia cocoanii Marghioalii lumin\u0103, \u0219i umbre mi\u0219c\u0103 pe perdea… A avut parte cine \u0219tie ce alt drume\u021b mai \u00een\u021belept de patul cel curat! Eu oi fi r\u0103mas s\u0103 cap\u0103t vreo lavi\u021b\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 cuptor. Dar noroc! cum am cioc\u0103nit, m-a \u0219i auzit. Jup\u00e2neasa b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 a alergat s\u0103-mi deschiz\u0103… C\u00e2nd s\u0103 intru, m\u0103 \u00eempedic pe prag de ceva moale – iedul… tot \u0103la! era iedul gazdii mele! A intrat \u0219i el \u00een odaie \u0219i a mers s\u0103 se culce cuminte sub pat.<\/p>\n
Ce s\u0103 spui? \u0218tia femeia c\u0103 m\u0103-ntorc?… ori se sculase de diminea\u021b\u0103?… Patul era nedesf\u0103cut.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Cocoan\u0103 Marghioalo! at\u00e2t am putut s\u0103 zic, \u0219i vr\u00e2nd s\u0103 mul\u021bumesc lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 m-a sc\u0103pat cu via\u021b\u0103, am dat s\u0103 ridic dreapta spre frunte.<\/p>\n
Cocoana mi-a apucat repede m\u00e2na \u0219i, d\u00e2ndu-mi-o \u00een jos, m-a luat cu toata puterea \u00een bra\u021be.<\/p>\n
Parc\u0103 v\u0103z \u00eenc\u0103 odaia ceea…<\/p>\n
Ce pat!… ce perdelu\u021be!… ce pere\u021bi!… ce tavan!… toate albe ca laptele. \u0218i abajurul \u0219i toate cele lucrate cu igli\u021ba \u00een fel de fel de fe\u021be… \u0219i cald ca sub o arip\u0103 de clo\u0219c\u0103… \u0219i un miros de mere \u0219i de gutui.<\/p>\n
A\u0219 fi stat mult la hanul M\u00e2njoloaii, dac\u0103 nu venea socru-meu, pocovnicu Iordache, Dumnezeu s\u0103-l ierte, s\u0103 m\u0103 scoat\u0103 cu t\u0103r\u0103boi de acolo. De trei ori am fugit de la el \u00eenainte de logodn\u0103 \u0219i m-am \u00eentors la han, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd, b\u0103tr\u00e2nul, care vrea zor nevoie s\u0103 m\u0103 ginereasc\u0103, a pus oameni de m-au prins \u0219i m-au dus legat cobz\u0103 la un schit \u00een munte: patruzeci de zile, post, m\u0103t\u0103nii \u0219i molitve. Am ie\u0219it de-acolo poc\u0103it: m-am logodit \u0219i m-am \u00eensurat.<\/p>\n
Tocma-ntr-un t\u00e2rziu, \u00eentr-o noapte limpede de iarn\u0103, pe c\u00e2nd \u0219edeam cu socru-meu la lafturi, dup\u0103 obiceiul de la \u021bar\u0103, dinaintea unui borcan de vin, aflar\u0103m de la un ispr\u0103vnicel, care sosea cu cump\u0103r\u0103turi din ora\u0219, c\u0103 despre ziu\u0103 st\u0103tuse s\u0103 fie foc mare la H\u0103cule\u0219ti; arsese p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt hanul lui M\u00e2njoal\u0103 \u00eengrop\u00e2nd pe biata cocoana Marghioala, acu h\u00e2rbuit\u0103, subt un morman uria\u0219 de j\u0103ratic.<\/p>\n
\u2013 A b\u0103gat-o \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it la j\u0103ratic pe matracuca! a zis socru-meu r\u00e2z\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u0218i m-a pus s\u0103-i povestesc iar istoria de mai sus pentru a nu \u0219tiu c\u00e2tea oar\u0103. Pocovnicul o \u021binea \u00eentr-una c\u0103 \u00een fundul c\u0103ciulii \u00eemi pusese cocoana farmece \u0219i c\u0103 iedul \u0219i cotoiul erau tot una…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ei a\u0219! am zis eu.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Era dracul, asculta-m\u0103 pe mine.<\/p>\n
\u2013 O fi fost, am r\u0103spuns eu, dar dac\u0103 e a\u0219a, pocovnice, atunci dracul te duce, se vede \u0219i la bune…<\/p>\n
\u2013 \u00cent\u00e2i te d\u0103 pe la bune, ca s\u0103 te spurce, \u0219i pe urm\u0103 \u0219tie el unde te duce…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Da dumneata de unde \u0219tii?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Asta nu-i treaba ta, a r\u0103spuns b\u0103tr\u00e2nul; asta-i alt\u0103 c\u0103ciul\u0103!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Un sfert de ceas p\u00e2n\u0103 la hanul lui M\u00e2njoal\u0103… de-acolea, p\u00e2n\u0103-n Pope\u0219tii-de-sus, o po\u0219tie: \u00een buiestru potrivit, un ceas \u0219i jum\u0103tate… Buiestra\u0219u-i bun… dac\u0103-i dau gr\u0103un\u021be la han \u0219i-l odihnesc trei sferturi de ceas… merge. Care va s\u0103 zic\u0103, un sfert \u0219i cu trei, un ceas, \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103-n Pope\u0219ti unul \u0219i jum\u0103tate, fac doua \u0219i […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[15],"class_list":["post-330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ion-luca-caragiale-nuvele","tag-ion-luca-caragiale"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330","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=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":331,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions\/331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}