{"id":335,"date":"2020-03-03T10:46:30","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T08:46:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/?p=335"},"modified":"2023-10-24T14:31:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T12:31:02","slug":"pacat-caragiale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/pacat-caragiale.html","title":{"rendered":"P\u0103cat… (Caragiale)"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>P\u0102CAT…<\/span><\/h2>\n

I<\/span><\/h3>\n

Un b\u0103ietan voinic \u2014 barba de-abia-i mije\u0219te, \u0219i sub c\u0103ciul\u0103 de oaie p\u0103rul cre\u021b \u0219i des… \u0219i ni\u0219te ochi bl\u00e2nzi \u2014 \u0219i mintos t\u00e2n\u0103r. C\u00e2nd a plecat de acas\u0103 s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la Bucure\u0219ti p-at\u00e2\u021bia ani \u00een \u0219coli, mama lui \u2014 de treab\u0103 femeie! \u2014 l-a s\u0103rutat de-at\u00e2tea ori, i-a potrivit p\u0103rul, i-a netezit c\u0103ciula \u0219i iar l-a s\u0103rutat, \u0219i i-a zis:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ni\u021b\u0103, mam\u0103, te duci frumos \u0219i s\u0103n\u0103tos: s\u0103-\u021bi ajute Dumnezeu \u0219i Maica Domnului s\u0103-mi vii \u00eenapoi tot a\u0219a!<\/p>\n

\u0218i c\u00e2t era de cuminte b\u0103tr\u00e2nica nu s-a mai putut st\u0103p\u00e2ni… a biruit-o pl\u00e2nsul. De multe ori a dat el s\u0103 plece; \u0219i ea l-a \u021binut s\u0103-l mai m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie \u00eenc\u0103. Lui \u00eei ardea s\u0103 se duc\u0103, \u0219i m\u0103car c\u0103-i era drag\u0103 mama parc\u0103 avea acum necaz pe ea c\u0103-i prea \u00eent\u00e2rziaz\u0103 plecarea. A pl\u00e2ns \u0219i el, ce-i drept, de pl\u00e2nsul ei dar, pe c\u00e2nd ochii-i erau tri\u0219ti, \u00eenchipuirea zbura cu bucurie pe drumul ce i se deschidea lung \u0219i necunoscut \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/center>Trei ani de-o neclintit\u0103 monotonie… Acelea\u0219i ceasuri… aceia\u0219i pa\u0219i… trei ani \u00eentregi! Al patrulea, de\u0219i se anun\u021base de la \u00eenceput a urma aceea\u0219i neab\u0103tut\u0103 cale, p\u0103stra pentru mai t\u00e2rziu o noutate, o ciudat\u0103 surprindere.<\/p>\n

Al\u0103turi cu seminarul, o cas\u0103 veche boiereasc\u0103… De la ferestrele \u0219i de pe pridvorul din spatele ei, se vedea peste zid \u00een curtea de recrea\u021bie a \u0219colii. Odat\u0103, \u00eentr-o zi de s\u0103rb\u0103toare, Ni\u021b\u0103 se plimba singur prin curte cu o carte \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103: r\u0103m\u0103sese \u00een \u0219coal\u0103 s\u0103 se prepare de examenele apropiate. Era o dogm\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2lcit\u0103: el ocolea curtea repe\u021bind\u00a0<\/span>pe de rost cu cartea-nchis\u0103-n m\u00e2n\u0103. Anevoie se putea \u021bine minte a\u0219a fraze torturate… Deschise iar cartea…<\/p>\n

Trec\u00e2nd prin dreptul zidului, seminaristul tres\u0103ri; un ghemotoc de h\u00e2rtie \u00eel lovi pe m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i alunec\u00e2nd peste cartea deschis\u0103 s\u0103ri c\u00e2t colo \u00eenaintea lui. Ni\u021b\u0103 se opri pe loc… Neap\u0103rat iar o glum\u0103 a vreunui camarad… un miez de p\u00e2ine muiat \u00een cerneal\u0103… sau cine \u0219tie ce.<\/p>\n

Se uit\u0103-mprejur… \u00een curtea \u0219colii nimeni… Lovitura venise dinspre casele de-al\u0103turi… Ridic\u0103 ochii \u00een sus \u0219i v\u0103zu la cea mai apropiat\u0103 fereastr\u0103 vecin\u0103, care era deschis\u0103, perdelele mi\u0219c\u00e2ndu-se ca \u0219i cum ar fi fost cineva ascuns \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t… Ce-o fi?<\/p>\n

S\u0103 vedem… Seminaristul s-aplec\u0103 \u0219i lu\u0103 ghemotocul: era ceva \u00eenf\u0103\u0219urat \u00een\u0103untru… Voi s\u0103-l desfac\u0103. O \u00een\u021bep\u0103tur\u0103… Un ac cu g\u0103m\u0103lie! Ce p\u0103c\u0103leal\u0103 proast\u0103! Sup\u0103rat tr\u00e2nti ghemotocul \u0219i \u00eencepu s\u0103 \u0219tearg\u0103 degetul \u00eempuns \u00een v\u00e2rful c\u0103ruia, dup\u0103 fiece stors\u0103tur\u0103, cre\u0219tea repede la loc o m\u0103rgea mare ro\u0219ie.<\/p>\n

Ghemotocul izbit cu necaz \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt se desf\u0103cu… \u00centre cutele lui o floare!… Cu mirare \u0219i cu mai mult\u0103 luare aminte ca-nt\u00e2ia oar\u0103, el ridic\u0103 bini\u0219or h\u00e2rtia… \u00een adev\u0103r era o garoaf\u0103 – ca s\u00e2ngele ce-i curgea din deget – rupt\u0103 de cur\u00e2nd…<\/p>\n

Desf\u0103cu atunci mai bine… Ceva scris…<\/p>\n

Trupul t\u00e2n\u0103r se sim\u021bi furnicat din cre\u0219tet p\u00e2n\u0103-n t\u0103lpi de un fior fierbinte… C\u0103ldura toat\u0103 i se urc\u0103 la frunte… Ascunse \u00een s\u00e2n h\u00e2rtia \u0219i floarea, cercet\u0103 de jur \u00eemprejur cu ochii s\u0103 nu fi v\u0103zut cineva din \u0219coal\u0103 cele petrecute, \u0219i fugi \u00een\u0103untru f\u0103r\u0103 a mai cuteza s\u0103 ridice ochii la fereastra unde se mi\u0219cau perdelele.<\/p>\n

Bolnav… Friguri \u0219i b\u0103taie de inim\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu se putea \u021bine pe picioare. P\u0103rintele-director s-a convins c\u0103 e r\u0103u b\u0103iatului \u0219i l-a trimis s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103. Ni\u021b\u0103 s-a suit \u00een dormitor, s-a aruncat \u00een pat, a scos din s\u00e2n floarea \u0219i biletul \u0219-a citit \u00eenc\u0103 odata, iar, \u0219i mereu:<\/p>\n

“E\u0219ti frumos… Dac\u0103 ai vrea, te-a\u0219 iubi mult”.<\/p>\n

…Dac\u0103 ar vrea!…<\/span><\/p>\n

Cine s\u0103 fie? El nu e copil, e fl\u0103c\u0103u, de dou\u0103zeci \u0219i trei de ani… Cine?… 0 femeie!<\/p>\n

Bolnavul sare din pat, iese din dormitor \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai anun\u021be pe cineva, dup\u0103 cum cere regulamentul, iese pe poart\u0103. Pe dinaintea caselor vecine, el \u00ee\u0219i potole\u0219te pasul \u0219i trece peste drum ca s\u0103 poat\u0103 apuca toat\u0103 fa\u021bada dintr-o singur\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103tur\u0103. Ferestrele de la pod toate \u00eenchise \u0219i perdelele l\u0103sate.<\/p>\n

El \u0219tie c\u0103 e frumos… Mama i-a spus-o adesea, poate mai adesea fetele din sat, dar desigur mai mult dec\u00e2t toate sora lui Cu\u021biteiu, Sultana, care nu i-a spus-o niciodat\u0103… Cu dragoste amestecat\u0103 \u0219i cu pu\u021bin\u0103 m\u00e2ndrie z\u00e2mbe\u0219te el c\u00e2nd \u00eei vine acum \u00een minte mama lui.<\/p>\n

S-a \u00eenserat bine \u0219i seminaristul tot se plimb\u0103 de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo pe dinaintea casei unde se afl\u0103 acea femeie care l-ar iubi mult \u201cdac\u0103 ar vrea el\u201d… Clopotul pentru cin\u0103 sun\u0103 la \u0219coal\u0103. Asta-l de\u0219tept\u0103; el gr\u0103be\u0219te \u0219i intr\u0103.<\/p>\n

Sunt to\u021bi la mas\u0103; lui nu-i e foame… Merge \u0219i se culc\u0103 a\u0219ez\u00e2nd sub pern\u0103 biletul \u0219i garoafa, dup\u0103 ce iar\u0103\u0219i prive\u0219te \u00eendelung icoana acelor vorbe, pe care de-acu nu le mai poate uita vreodat\u0103.<\/p>\n

Zgomotul celorlal\u021bi b\u0103ie\u021bi venind \u00een dormitor \u00eel sup\u0103r\u0103 foarte. La intrarea lor, el v\u00e2r\u0103 iute m\u00e2na sub c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i, apuc\u0103 bog\u0103\u021bia ascuns\u0103 \u0219i st\u0103 nemi\u0219cat… Unii \u00eel \u00eentreab\u0103 c\u00e2te ceva… nu \u00een\u021beleg bine ce… el nu sufl\u0103, pref\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se adormit.<\/p>\n

Aproape de miezul nop\u021bii. Dorm \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it to\u021bi. Ni\u021b\u0103 se scoal\u0103 \u00eencetinel \u0219i cu cea mai mare precau\u021bie iese; g\u0103se\u0219te u\u0219a s\u0103lii pe pip\u0103ite \u0219i coboar\u0103 \u00een curte… La fereastr\u0103 lumin\u0103… geamurile deschise \u0219i perdelele l\u0103sate. El r\u0103m\u00e2ne cu ochii pironi\u021bi acolo, r\u0103t\u0103cind \u00een alt\u0103 lume, pe care o visase parc\u0103 adesea, dar nu spera s-o vaz\u0103 vreodat\u0103.<\/p>\n

Fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u00ee\u0219i umfl\u0103 pieptul, \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-\u0219i bra\u021bele amor\u021bite de friguri, p\u00e2n\u0103-i trosnesc \u00eencheieturile, c\u00e2nd perdelele se dau \u00eentr-o parte \u0219i o femeie pune m\u00e2na pe geamuri s\u0103 le \u00eenchiz\u0103. Seminaristul \u00eenghe\u021b\u0103; vrea s\u0103 strige; dar nu poate, \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 treac\u0103 efectul loviturii, fereastra e \u00eenchis\u0103, perdelele l\u0103sate la loc \u0219i lumina stins\u0103.<\/span><\/p>\n

Se apropie de ziu\u0103 c\u00e2nd t\u00e2n\u0103rul se hot\u0103r\u0103\u0219te s\u0103 se-ntoarc\u0103-n dormitor… Se tr\u00e2nte\u0219te pe br\u00e2nci \u00een pat, \u00ee\u0219i reazim\u0103 inima, \u00een care simte o str\u00e2nsoare nedefinit\u0103, pe m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103, \u0219i pe cea st\u00e2ng\u0103 fruntea cald\u0103 – adoarme \u0219i doarme dus p\u00e2n\u0103 la clopotul de gustare.<\/p>\n

Trei nop\u021bi de p\u00e2nd\u0103… patru… cinci… \u0219i tot at\u00e2tea zile mai grele ca nop\u021bile: ceasuri de cursuri \u0219i de medita\u021bii… zgomotul camarazilor, neputin\u021ba de a sta singur cu \u00eenchipuirea lui… \u0219i frigurile… \u0219i ferestrele tot \u00eenchise… \u0219i perdelele ve\u0219nic l\u0103sate.<\/p>\n

Doctorul, un om de spirit, c\u00e2nd p\u0103rintele-directorul i-a prezentat pe Ni\u021b\u0103, l-a m\u00e2ng\u00e2iat pe t\u00e2n\u0103r, apuc\u00e2ndu-l \u00een glum\u0103 de tuleele din barb\u0103 \u0219i-a zis:<\/p>\n

\u2013 N-are nimic, p\u0103rinte; s\u0103 se plimbe mai des… \u0219i-i trece.<\/p>\n

Duminica… \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it!<\/p>\n

Ni\u021b\u0103 a fost \u00eendemnat de camarazi \u0219i de p\u0103rintele-directorul s\u0103 ias\u0103 la plimbare; el a preferit s\u0103 stea la \u0219coal\u0103 ca s\u0103 se poat\u0103 ajunge cu lec\u021biile, r\u0103mase-n urm\u0103 din pricina frigurilor… Fire\u0219te c\u0103 superiorul a fost \u00eenc\u00e2ntat de at\u00e2ta s\u00e2rguin\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n

Dejunul s-a ispr\u0103vit… Acum \u0219coala este iar de\u0219art\u0103. Silitorul seminarist trece c\u0103tre curtea din fund… Dar dac\u0103 ferestrele or fi tot \u00eenchise?… Nu – \u0219i n-apuc\u0103 s\u0103 ridice ochii doritori \u0219i vede venindu-i prin aer un nou ghem care-ntr-o clip\u0103 \u00eei cade la picioare… Asta nu mai e prins cu un ac \u2013 e legat cu o cordelu\u021b\u0103 ro\u0219ie:<\/p>\n

“Treci la miezul nop\u021bii… Te a\u0219tept… 0 s\u0103 vezi c\u00e2t te iubesc”.<\/p>\n

\u0218i nici o mi\u0219care la perdele… nici o ar\u0103tare!… Ziua trece \u00eencet… e \u00eens\u0103 uneori at\u00e2ta dulcea\u021b\u0103 \u0219i-n chinul a\u0219tept\u0103rii! Dar noaptea! niciodat\u0103 n-au adormit seminari\u0219tii a\u0219a de t\u00e2rziu!… Din norocire, mai pe urm\u0103 nici o piedic\u0103.<\/p>\n

Sare peste poart\u0103 f\u0103ra zgomot \u0219i se-ndrept\u0103 sigur spre \u021binta \u0219tiut\u0103. O femeie \u00een umbra gangului!… El se opre\u0219te \u00eenecat. Ea \u00eei \u0219opte\u0219te: “Vino, te a\u0219teapt\u0103!…” Atunci… nu e chiar asta!<\/span><\/p>\n

El se las\u0103 s\u0103-l ia de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103-l duc\u0103 prin \u00eentuneric \u00eenceti\u0219or. O scar\u0103 str\u00e2mt\u0103… \u00eenc\u0103peri \u00eentunecoase… iar c\u00e2teva trepte. Voinicul merge machinal, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-se t\u00e2r\u00e2t ca un copil somnoros de m\u00e2na femeii. La fiece pas nesigur, la fiece \u0219ov\u0103ire, o oprire de un moment, o pov\u0103\u021buire discret\u0103, o \u0219oapt\u0103 de \u00eencurajare \u0219i \u00eenainte!<\/p>\n

Se opresc… Femeia \u00eel las\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103… O clip\u0103, p\u0103r\u0103sit \u00een locul orb \u0219i necunoscut, el e-n pierzare – o coloan\u0103 aplecat\u0103 c\u0103reia i s-ar smulge propteaua de siguran\u021b\u0103 – aude urechile cum \u00eei \u021biuiesc de tare \u0219i simte genunchii p\u0103r\u0103sindu-l.<\/p>\n

Acum femeia love\u0219te surd cu v\u00e2rful unghiilor pe o u\u0219\u0103 – sunt l\u00e2ng\u0103 o u\u0219\u0103 – care \u00eendat\u0103 se deschide.<\/p>\n

E lumin\u0103 \u00een\u0103untru – lumin\u0103 albastr\u0103… un albastru molcom \u0219i lene\u0219… Femeia care l-a condus prin \u00eentuneric \u00eel \u00eempinge bini\u0219or \u00een lumin\u0103. Coloana ced\u00e2nd se apleac\u0103, cu toat\u0103 greutatea trupului puternic de dou\u0103zeci \u0219i trei de ani, \u00een albastru… \u0219i u\u0219a se-nchide pe dinafar\u0103.<\/p>\n

Vorbe?… \u00eencap vorbe?<\/p>\n

Cum o femeie \u0219tie alinta – cum degetele ei delicate se \u00eenfig \u00een mu\u0219chii \u00eencorda\u021bi – \u0219i gura ei rece ca ghea\u021ba \u0219i ochii ei be\u021bi – \u0219i puful m\u0103runt de pe obrajii aprin\u0219i zb\u00e2rlit de fiori – \u00eencovoiala l\u00e2nged\u0103 a trupului – izbiturile inimei ei de pere\u021bii s\u00e2nului – \u0219i mirosul f\u0103r\u0103 nume ce-i radiaz\u0103 din r\u0103d\u0103cinile p\u0103rului – \u0219i c\u00e2t e de bine s\u0103 te p\u0103r\u0103se\u0219ti \u00een st\u0103p\u00e2nirea acestor at\u00e2tea sim\u021biri ce te-nv\u0103luiesc din toate p\u0103r\u021bile ca ni\u0219te v\u00e2rteje de aburi calzi satura\u021bi de esen\u021ba adormitoare…<\/p>\n

Cu vorbe s\u0103 le spun?… Astea se simt \u0219i se g\u00e2ndesc, de spus nu se pot spune… A fost o sm\u0103cinare a sufletului dulce \u0219i dureroas\u0103, o exaltare a sim\u021birii, \u00eengrozitoare \u0219i delicioas\u0103.<\/p>\n

Multe nop\u021bi asemenea \u0219i fiecare neasem\u0103nate… Liba\u021biuni sub razele l\u0103mpii albastre; toate nebuniile \u00eenchipuite \u0219i ne\u00eenchipuite; anecdote picante de care el avea un repertoriu popular a\u0219a de bogat; scene de gelozie f\u0103r\u0103\u00a0<\/span>cuv\u00e2nt \u0219i din chiar senin; \u0219i jocuri, \u0219i mu\u0219c\u0103turi; \u0219i lupte at\u00e2t de inegale, pentru ea ca putere, pentru el ca farmec… \u0219-apoi, dup\u0103 at\u00e2ta oboseal\u0103, povestirea reciproc\u0103 a celor \u00eent\u00e2mplate mai \u00eenainte de a se cunoa\u0219te.<\/p>\n

El avea pu\u021bin de povestit… A\u0219a era de str\u00e2mt satul \u00een care tr\u0103ise \u0219i a\u0219a de pu\u021bin \u00eensemnat\u0103 via\u021ba lui p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd “l-a \u00een\u021bepat un ac cu g\u0103m\u0103lie!…” \u0218iret \u021b\u0103ranul – \u021bine mult la aceasta c\u0103dere de fraz\u0103; \u0219tia el bine c\u0103, \u00eenso\u021bit\u0103 de sugerea degetului \u00een\u021bepat \u0219i de o privire pe sub spr\u00e2ncenele posomor\u00e2te cu bun\u0103tate, are s\u0103 fie cu prisos r\u0103spl\u0103tit\u0103.<\/p>\n

Ea \u00eens\u0103 avea mai multe de spus, \u0219i povestea ei era destul de trist\u0103. Cinci ani de via\u021b\u0103 cu un om istovit, apoi nebun \u0219i paralitic; \u00een urm\u0103, v\u0103duv\u0103, cu un copil bolnav \u0219i capiu – o feti\u021b\u0103, care roade \u0219i m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 lucrurile din cas\u0103 \u0219i care trebuie p\u0103zit\u0103 foarte de aproape s\u0103 nu dea foc. Interese mari… o avere colosal\u0103… consiliu de familie… soacr\u0103 \u0219i cumna\u021bi – ni\u0219te creaturi aspre \u0219i brutale, care fac \u00eemprejuru-i o poli\u021bie dezgust\u0103toare.<\/p>\n

\u0218i aci, fa\u021b\u0103 cu fraza lui de predilec\u021bie, venea a\u0219a de potrivit:<\/p>\n

\u2013 \u00cenchipuie-\u021bi ce sete mi-e de via\u021b\u0103! ce dor \u00eemi era de tine!<\/p>\n

C\u0103ldura str\u00e2ns\u0103 at\u00e2ta vreme \u00een fiin\u021ba aceea frumoas\u0103 se rev\u0103rsa acuma-n afar\u0103 ca o pornire nebiruit\u0103: a fost pentru el scurt\u0103 dar plin\u0103 acea vreme fericit\u0103.<\/p>\n

S-a sf\u00e2r\u0219it \u00eens\u0103.<\/p>\n

El a trebuit s\u0103 renun\u021be la ea, c\u00e2nd \u00eentre ei s-a ridicat zidul consiliului de familie. Acesta fire\u0219te nu putea \u00eeng\u0103dui o a\u0219a r\u0103t\u0103cire… Pl\u00e2ngeri… revolt\u0103 – de prisos. O ultim\u0103 sfor\u021bare din partea disperatului a fost \u00eent\u00e2mpinat\u0103 \u00eentr-un chip decisiv.<\/p>\n

C\u00e2nd seminaristul a \u00eendr\u0103znit s\u0103 nesocoteasc\u0103 recomanda\u021biile imperioase ce-i fuseser\u0103 comunicate \u0219i s\u0103 calce pragul, pe care alt\u0103dat\u0103 p\u0103\u0219ea la fericirea ce-o socotea un drept c\u00e2\u0219tigat, scump a trebuit s\u0103-\u0219i pl\u0103teasc\u0103 pasul imprudent. A fost o maltratare meritat\u0103 poate, dar oricum prea s\u0103lbatec\u0103. Zbirii \u00eens\u0103rcina\u021bi cu corec\u021biunea cutez\u0103torului\u00a0<\/span>au f\u0103cut exces de zel: nenorocitul, luat f\u0103r\u0103 veste, a fost strivit de lovituri… capul spart, pieptul c\u0103lcat cu c\u0103lc\u00e2iele. \u00cen stare de complet\u0103 nesim\u021bire, a fost aruncat \u00een poarta \u0219coalii, unde l-au g\u0103sit, a doua zi diminea\u021ba, oamenii de serviciu, mai mult mort dec\u00e2t viu.<\/p>\n

Toate alerg\u0103turile \u0219i st\u0103ruin\u021bele p\u0103rintelui-directorul ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 a se descoperi \u0219i pedepsi criminalii, care atentaser\u0103 a\u0219a de crunt la via\u021ba elevului favorit, au trebuit s\u0103 \u00eenceteze. B\u0103tr\u00e2nul a fost chemat \u00eenaintea \u00eenaltelor fe\u021be p\u0103store\u0219ti. Acelea i-au adus aspre mustr\u0103ri c\u0103 nu-\u0219i vede de datorie, c\u0103 nu \u00eengrije\u0219te destul de serios de moralitatea \u0219colarilor, \u0219i l-au f\u0103cut s\u0103 \u00een\u021beleag\u0103 c\u0103 dac\u0103 voie\u0219te s\u0103 mai r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 director n-are s\u0103 se mai amestece \u00een cele ce se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 afar\u0103 de poarta seminarului: asta e treaba obrazelor judec\u0103tore\u0219ti, nu a celor biserice\u0219ti!<\/p>\n

Ni\u021b\u0103 a stat mult \u00eentre via\u021b\u0103 \u0219i moarte; luni \u00eentregi au trecut p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se poat\u0103 \u00eentrema. El n-a murit din asta; dar poate c\u0103 nop\u021bile pe care mama, chemat\u0103 \u00een grab\u0103, le-a petrecut la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul nenorocitului, s\u0103-i fi scurtat zilele bietei b\u0103tr\u00e2ne. De atunci el a r\u0103mas cu o boal\u0103 de inim\u0103, care i-a cauzat p\u00e2n\u0103 la moarte multe momente nepl\u0103cute.<\/p>\n

Dar era \u00eentremat… El porni s\u0103 caute norocul pierdut… Prea t\u00e2rziu… Casele se d\u0103r\u00e2mau \u0219i lucrarea \u00eencepuse din aripa unde alt\u0103dat\u0103 era odaia albastr\u0103… Femeia murise. Copila bolnav\u0103 era \u00eentr-un institut de educa\u021bie \u00een str\u0103in\u0103tate. Consiliul de familie nu st\u0103tea cu m\u00e2inile \u00een s\u00e2n.<\/p>\n

Mai \u00eent\u00e2i o resemnare sf\u00e2nt\u0103, apoi pu\u021bin c\u00e2te pu\u021bin, dac\u0103 nu uitarea, cel pu\u021bin potolirea dorului sub gr\u0103m\u0103direa anilor. Zece ani!… Seminaristul este acuma preot – preotul Ni\u021b\u0103 din Dobreni – om a\u0219ezat \u0219i foarte bine v\u0103zut de toat\u0103 ob\u0219tea.<\/p>\n

De diminea\u021b\u0103 ora\u0219ul de re\u0219edin\u021b\u0103 al jude\u021bului e foarte animat – t\u00e2rgul anual. Preotul Ni\u021b\u0103 umbl\u0103 prin strada mare cum se umbl\u0103 la t\u00e2rg de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, ori \u00eencotro, f\u0103r\u0103 o \u021bint\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103…<\/p>\n

\u00cenaintea cafenelii din centru e str\u00e2ns\u0103 lume mult\u0103, care prive\u0219te la ceva \u0219i r\u00e2de \u00een gura mare… Poate un\u00a0<\/span>animal savant, care denun\u021b\u0103 v\u00e2rsta \u0219i vi\u021biile spectatorilor: ori vreo paia\u021b\u0103… ori altceva… Gr\u0103mada de lume spore\u0219te necontenit… Popa urmeaz\u0103 dup\u0103 mul\u021bime. Pe trotuarul cafenelii pe scaune \u0219i-n picioare stau nobilii ora\u0219ului – reprezentan\u021bii jude\u021bului \u00een vacan\u021b\u0103 parlamentar\u0103, membrii tribunalului, func\u021bionari de la prefectur\u0103, prim\u0103rie, casierie, ofi\u021beri; de jur \u00eemprejur lumea pestri\u021b\u0103 de toate treptele st\u0103 \u00een semicerc. \u00cen mijloc se petrece comedia. Popa Ni\u021b\u0103 se v\u00e2r\u0103 \u0219i el.<\/p>\n

Ce este? Ce face at\u00e2ta senza\u021bie?<\/p>\n

Un copil de vreo opt-nou\u0103 ani, zdren\u021b\u0103ros \u0219i murdar, cu picioarele goale, \u00eembr\u0103cat \u00een haine nepotrivite – un gheroc mare, a c\u0103rui talie \u00eei vine p\u00e2n\u0103 la glezne, \u00een cap cu un cilindru turtit – face caraghiozl\u00e2curi.<\/p>\n

Este un mititel m\u0103sc\u0103rici foarte destr\u0103b\u0103lat – jig\u0103rit, \u0219i galben, pulpele-i uscate care se v\u0103d prin sf\u00e2\u0219ietura n\u0103dragilor sunt pline de jupuituri. A\u0219a de pr\u0103p\u0103dit, este totu\u0219i foarte \u00eendr\u0103zne\u021b. Fumeaz\u0103 o \u021bigar\u0103 lung\u0103, se str\u00e2mb\u0103 \u00eentr-un chip straniu, p\u0103c\u0103le\u0219te \u0219i \u00eenjur\u0103 pe boieri chem\u00e2ndu-i dup\u0103 porecla \u0219tiut\u0103. \u00cencepe s\u0103 c\u00e2nte un c\u00e2ntec ru\u0219inos juc\u00e2nd ciamparalele, f\u0103c\u00e2nd gesturi \u0219i mi\u0219c\u0103ri neiertate… Lumea face un haz nespus… O \u021b\u0103ranc\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, care e-n r\u00e2ndul \u00eent\u00e2i al spectatorilor, ru\u0219inat\u0103 de refrenul pe care copilul i-l arunc\u0103 ei cu o inten\u021bie diabolic\u0103, \u00ee\u0219i caut\u0103 loc s\u0103 scape de privirile \u00eentoarse asupr\u0103-i, se-nchin\u0103 \u0219i zice dep\u0103rt\u00e2ndu-se:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cine \u0219tie ce p\u0103cate! S\u0103 fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu pe orice copil!<\/p>\n

Mititelul, obosit, s-a oprit: merge s\u0103 salute foarte comic cu cilindrul lui enorm pe boieri, \u0219i s-a\u0219eaz\u0103 pe un scaun picior peste picior al\u0103turi cu domnul senator… Alt\u0103 \u021bigar\u0103… Domnul senator \u00eel trateaz\u0103 cu cafea \u0219i rom. Alt “amic” \u00eel mai \u00eembie \u00eenc\u0103 cu un p\u0103h\u0103rel… \u0219i \u00eenc\u0103 unul…<\/p>\n

Copilul se scoal\u0103 \u0219i-ncepe iar jocul… Acu mi\u0219c\u0103rile \u0219i gesturile sunt \u0219i mai de\u0219ucheate… Cu-ncetul \u00eens\u0103 membrele pierd siguran\u021ba \u0219i simetria mi\u0219c\u0103rilor; c\u00e2ntecul e surd, articularea inegal\u0103… \u00cenc\u0103 o strof\u0103!… Dar g\u00e2f\u00e2iala \u00eel \u00eeneac\u0103… C\u00e2nt\u0103re\u021bul se opre\u0219te un moment cl\u0103tin\u00e2ndu-se, moale de mijloc: e galben ca ceara; ochii-i\u00a0<\/span>crucesc stin\u0219i \u00een fundul capului… O sfor\u021bare, excitat de \u00eendemnul unanim al amatorilor!… Ofteaz\u0103 ad\u00e2nc, d\u0103 s\u0103 ridice piciorul, se-nv\u00e2rte\u0219te-n loc \u0219i trupu\u0219orul zdrobit at\u00e2ta se pr\u0103bu\u0219e\u0219te greu pe marginea trotuarului. – Beat mort!<\/p>\n

Se gr\u0103m\u0103dise lume prea mult\u0103… circula\u021bia din obor \u00een ora\u0219 era \u00eentrerupt\u0103. Poli\u021baiul chem\u0103 pe un v\u0103t\u0103\u0219el care ridic\u0103 de acolo pe micul desfr\u00e2nat, ca s\u0103 risipeasca aglomera\u021bia.<\/p>\n

Popa Ni\u021b\u0103, cu pumnii \u00eencle\u0219ta\u021bi se sui pe trotuar \u0219i apostrofa, cu accentul celei mai mari indign\u0103ri pe cei ce r\u00e2deau:<\/p>\n

\u2013 E p\u0103cat, domnilor! g\u00e2ndi\u021bi-v\u0103! Cre\u0219tini!… Frumos!… Mare p\u0103cat!<\/p>\n

Se-n\u021belege c\u0103 lumea care s-amuzase a\u0219a de bine n-a g\u0103sit nicidecum la locul ei apostrofa moralistului \u0219i i-a pl\u0103tit-o cu sarcasme groase. Popa nu-\u0219i putea g\u0103si lini\u0219tea: el b\u0103tea nervos cu degetele pe tabla de marmur\u0103 a mesii, morm\u0103ind \u00eentre din\u021bi fel de fel de exclama\u021bii de indignare.<\/p>\n

Cafegiul, care \u0219tia multe, fu gata ca s\u0103-i dea toate am\u0103nuntele asupra acelui copil. De necrezut, dar adev\u0103rat… \u0219i popa ascult\u0103 \u00eencremenit:<\/p>\n

E un copil de familie bun\u0103. – O v\u0103duva a unui boier nebun. -\u00cenamorat\u0103 cu un b\u0103iat de la \u021bar\u0103, un seminarist. – \u00cens\u0103rcinat\u0103. – Ru\u0219inea lumii. – Merge s\u0103 nasc\u0103 la mo\u0219ie. – Moart\u0103 din facere. – Copilul e aruncat; cre\u0219te la o \u021b\u0103ranc\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 care moare \u0219-aceea \u0219i el r\u0103m\u00e2ne pe drumuri. – Aci \u00een ora\u0219 e prip\u0103\u0219it de vreo \u0219ase luni: a venit s\u0103 cer\u0219easc\u0103 \u0219i, fiind dr\u0103cos de fel, din juc\u0103rie-n juc\u0103rie a ajuns \u00een halul \u0103sta. – O fat\u0103 bolnav\u0103, fugit\u0103 de la \u0219coal\u0103 prin str\u0103in\u0103t\u0103\u021bi, ajuns\u0103 r\u0103u pe acolo; g\u0103sit\u0103 pe urm\u0103 de epitropi \u0219i-ntoars\u0103 \u00een Bucure\u0219ti: aci fuge cu un ofi\u021ber, de la ofi\u021ber pleac\u0103 cu altul. – Cu b\u0103iatul a vrut s\u0103-\u0219i fac\u0103 poman\u0103 un cizmar: l-a luat ucenic: a\u0219! punga\u0219ului nu-i ardea de lucru – soi r\u0103u! \u00eenv\u0103\u021bat s\u0103 cear\u0103, s\u0103 fumeze \u0219i s\u0103 bea. Me\u0219terul l-a b\u0103tut odat\u0103 p\u0103rinte\u0219te;\u00a0<\/span>neprocopsitul a fugit, \u0219i de atunci tr\u0103ie\u0219te a\u0219a; spune obr\u0103znicii, m\u0103sc\u0103ri, caraghiozl\u00e2curi, \u0219i cap\u0103t\u0103 \u0219i el o buc\u0103\u021bic\u0103 de p\u00e2ine; se-n\u021bole\u0219te de la unul \u0219-altul de poman\u0103, \u0219i doarme Dumnezeu \u0219tie unde-l ajunge oboseala. – Istoria asta de-altminteri tot ora\u0219ul o \u0219tie; de-aia-l \u0219i cheam\u0103 “Mitu Boerul”.<\/p>\n

Popa cu coatele pe mas\u0103, str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-\u0219i t\u00e2mplele \u00een pumni, r\u0103mase \u00eenecat de sudoare, cu ochii \u021binti\u021bi la o musc\u0103 ce umbla m\u0103run\u021bel pe tabla de marmur\u0103 alb\u0103: el urm\u0103ri insecta p\u00e2n\u0103 la marginea mesii. Ce socoteal\u0103 s-o fi f\u0103cut \u00een capul cel mic c\u00e2t un bob de mac, nu se poate spune; destul c\u0103 musca stete pe loc, \u00ee\u0219i dezmor\u021bi labele de dinapoi \u00eempleticindu-le una de alta, \u00ee\u0219i netezi frumos must\u0103\u021bile cu labele de dinainte, apoi deodat\u0103 se-nal\u021b\u0103 \u0219i pieri. Omul, de\u0219teptat, se ridic\u0103 de pe scaun \u0219i ie\u0219i.<\/p>\n

Cercet\u0103ri zadarnice… Nu putea g\u0103si copilul. Toate informa\u021biile v\u0103t\u0103\u0219eilor de noapte erau gre\u0219ite: la cazarma pompierilor, nu era… \u00een gangul po\u0219tii, nu… sub \u0219opronul prim\u0103riei asemenea: nici aici, nici acolo. Trei, patru ceasuri de goan\u0103 dup\u0103 o \u0219tire exact\u0103. \u00cen pia\u021b\u0103, v\u0103t\u0103\u0219elul \u0219tie c\u0103 Mitu Boerul a intrat adineaori cu mai mul\u021bi ofi\u021beri \u0219i func\u021bionari la cafeneaua din col\u021b, unde “C\u00e2nt\u0103 fetele teatru”.<\/p>\n

A f\u0103cut o nepomenit\u0103 senza\u021bie popa intr\u00e2nd cu figura lui sperioas\u0103 \u00een localul muzelor profane.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Uite \u0219i p\u0103rintele! a strigat procurorul cu tonul de satisfac\u021bie cu care se \u00eent\u00e2mpin\u0103 de regul\u0103 un musafir \u00eent\u00e2rziat. Iar una dintre c\u00e2nt\u0103re\u021be, care \u0219edea pe genunchii casierului la aceea\u0219i mas\u0103 cu t\u00e2n\u0103rul magistrat a ad\u0103ogat:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Blagoslove\u0219te, taic\u0103 p\u0103rinte!<\/p>\n

Atunci s-a pornit un hohot, aplauze, trop\u0103ituri, \u0219uiere, r\u0103cnete: “Bravo, popa! Bis popa!” \u2013 Infernal! o menajerie care arde…<\/p>\n

Succesul colosal \u0219i spontaneu n-a afectat c\u00e2tu\u0219i de pu\u021bin pe omul nostru: zgomotul din fundul acestui suflet cov\u00e2r\u0219ea furtuna vesel\u0103 de-afar\u0103. Popa a-naintat hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u00a0<\/span>p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een mijlocul s\u0103lii, a c\u0103utat cu ochii \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile \u0219i a plecat gr\u0103bit de sub ploaia de r\u00e2sete, de glume r\u0103ut\u0103cioase \u0219i de huiduieli…<\/p>\n

Nu e nici aici… Dar nu se poate s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 la gazd\u0103 singur… Peste putin\u021b\u0103… \u00eenainte!… \u00eenc\u0103 un v\u0103t\u0103\u0219el; poate la sf\u00e2ntul Ioan \u00een curtea bisericii; doarme b\u0103iatul uneori \u0219i acolo, c\u00e2nd e vremea bun\u0103…<\/p>\n

…Era \u00een adev\u0103r acolo…<\/p>\n

La spatele altarului, unde un felinar din r\u0103sp\u00e2ntie arunc\u0103 razele-i afumate, se odihnea mototolit, cu capul pe un morm\u00e2nt f\u0103r\u0103 nume nici \u00eengr\u0103deal\u0103, un om mic… Tocmai acuma lu\u0103 seama preotul c\u00e2t umblet f\u0103cuse \u0219i se a\u0219ez\u0103 jos s\u0103-\u0219i potoleasc\u0103 mi\u0219c\u0103rile inimii. El \u00eentinse cu sfial\u0103 m\u00e2na spre capul b\u0103iatului: atunci sim\u021bi distinct la ar\u0103t\u0103torul drept o \u00een\u021bep\u0103tur\u0103 de ac… Da – era aci l\u00e2ng\u0103 el, pe p\u0103m\u00e2ntul gol, rodul nop\u021bilor petrecute \u00een lumina albastr\u0103. Copil \u00een r\u0103zboi cu lumea, a\u0219a de timpuriu, el parc\u0103-ntr-adins poposise l\u00e2ng\u0103 altar, doar o putea intra pe furi\u0219 sub ochiul lui Dumnezeu, care de c\u00e2nd \u00eel \u00eempinsese la via\u021b\u0103, nu se-ndura s\u0103-i arunce o dat\u0103 m\u0103car o c\u0103ut\u0103tur\u0103.<\/p>\n

“Doamne! \u0219opti popa plin de obid\u0103: uite-te la el Doamne, uite-te \u0219i la el!”<\/p>\n

\u0218i apuc\u00e2nd bine \u00een bra\u021be mototolul adormit, se scul\u0103 puternic \u00een picioare \u0219i porni. B\u0103iatul, de\u0219teptat de zguduial\u0103, morm\u0103i somnoros o \u00eenjur\u0103tur\u0103 \u0219i adormi iar\u0103\u0219i \u00een bra\u021bele care-l str\u00e2ngeau cu at\u00e2ta patim\u0103.<\/p>\n

Pe stradele \u00eentunecate ale ora\u0219ului, omul care-\u0219i ducea comoara avu norocul s\u0103 nu dea de nici o piedic\u0103: era ceasul c\u00e2nd \u0219i felinarele pot fi stinse, c\u00e2nd \u0219i v\u0103t\u0103\u0219eii trebuiesc s\u0103 doarm\u0103. Ajunse la gazd\u0103, de\u0219tept\u0103 vizitiul \u0219i pe hangiu, pl\u0103ti \u0219i plec\u0103. A doua zi, \u00eenainte de n\u0103miezi, erau \u00een Dobreni acas\u0103.<\/p>\n

Preoteasa nu putea fi tocmai mul\u021bumit\u0103 de ce-i adusese b\u0103rbatul de la t\u00e2rg. Nu-i pu\u021bin\u0103 greutate s\u0103 aduci la\u00a0<\/span>o stare cuviincioas\u0103 un a\u0219a gunoi de copil. Tot trupul \u00eei era numai jupuieli \u0219i bube din pricina sc\u0103rpin\u0103turilor \u0219i necur\u0103\u021beniei. C\u00e2te l\u0103uturi, c\u00e2te le\u0219ii \u0219i alifii au trebuit ca s\u0103 ridice treptat de pe fiin\u021ba p\u0103r\u0103sit\u0103 coaja \u00een care o \u00eenveliser\u0103 at\u00e2\u021bia ani de mizerie!<\/p>\n

Copilul s-a l\u0103sat bucuros s\u0103 fac\u0103 cu el ce-au vrut. Mai greu de t\u0103m\u0103duit dec\u00e2t bubele erau apuc\u0103turile \u0219i n\u0103ravurile. P\u00e2n\u0103 la urm\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 \u0219i acestea au fost s\u0103 fie \u00eenvinse; pove\u021bele, bl\u00e2nde\u021bea, o vorb\u0103 aspr\u0103 la soroace, devotamentul oamenilor buni care-l luaser\u0103 la s\u00e2nul lor cald, \u0219i mai ales o boal\u0103 \u00eendelungat\u0103 au gonit dac\u0103 nu cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219ire, cel pu\u021bin \u00een cea mai mare parte \u0219i pornirile \u0219i deprinderile rele. Nu e peste putin\u021b\u0103 gr\u0103dinarului priceput \u0219i r\u0103bd\u0103tor s\u0103 \u00eendrepteze un cop\u0103cel fraged pornit s\u0103 creasc\u0103 str\u00e2mb.<\/p>\n

C\u00e2nd, sc\u0103pat cu totul de vermin\u0103, l-au \u00eembr\u0103cat \u00eentr-o duminic\u0103 \u00een haine nou\u0103 – mintean cu \u0219ireturi de fir, i\u021b\u0103ra\u0219i albi cu \u0219nur negru de m\u0103tase \u0219i p\u0103l\u0103rie cu panglicu\u021b\u0103 tricolor\u0103, \u0219i i-a zis p\u0103rintele: “S\u0103 le por\u021bi s\u0103n\u0103tos, Mitule! s\u0103 cre\u0219ti mare, cu minte \u0219i noroc!” copilul a pus m\u00e2inile \u00een buzunare, s-a privit serios \u0219i-ndelungat \u00een oglind\u0103 \u0219i s-a pornit pe un r\u00e2s… \u0219i r\u00e2zi! De r\u00e2sul lui a-nceput s\u0103 r\u00e2z\u0103 \u0219i femeia \u0219i b\u0103rbatul. Dar c\u00e2nd s-a \u00eentors copilul cu fa\u021ba la ei \u0219i li s-au \u00eent\u00e2lnit privirile, p\u0103rintele l-a luat \u00een bra\u021be, l-a s\u0103rutat de multe ori \u0219i s-a pornit pe un pl\u00e2ns… \u0219i pl\u00e2ngi!… \u0219-a \u00eenceput \u0219i copilul \u0219i femeia.<\/p>\n

S-au dus pe urm\u0103 la biseric\u0103. Mitu \u00een hainele nou\u0103 a f\u0103cut senza\u021bie… Mai ales femeile care mai de care l-au alintat, c\u0103 era \u0219i un copil cur\u0103\u021bel.<\/p>\n

At\u00e2ta numa r\u0103u de tot: Mitu era bolnav – tus\u0103 seac\u0103, dureri la lingurea, nu m\u00e2nca nimic \u0219i c\u00e2tu-i ziua-l tr\u0103gea la somn…. Friguri?… Deochi?… Lingoare?…<\/p>\n

Era boal\u0103 c\u00e2ineasc\u0103… z\u0103cea pe prisp\u0103 la soare… d-abia se mai t\u00e2ra… Doftorii, desc\u00e2ntece, degeaba: se gunoia, se istovea v\u0103z\u00e2nd cu ochii! Scurt\u0103 c\u0103uta s\u0103 fie bucuria, \u0219i cu c\u00e2t omul o vedea scurt\u00e2ndu-se cu at\u00e2t \u00eei cre\u0219tea fioroasa \u00eenchipuire c\u0103 azi, m\u00e2ine o s\u0103 se sf\u00e2r\u0219easc\u0103 fericirea g\u0103sit\u0103 pe nea\u0219teptate… Iat\u0103 acuma se stingea de tot lumina ce-i r\u0103s\u0103rise \u00een cale f\u0103r\u0103 veste… v\u0103pai\u021ba era pe ispr\u0103vite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Preotul a\u021bipise despre ziu\u0103 \u00eembr\u0103cat… Femeia sta tot de\u0219teapt\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 bolnav, care dormea de o zi \u0219i mai bine. Ea puse m\u00e2na pe obrazul copilului – rece; aplec\u0103 urechia la gura lui deschis\u0103 \u2013 nimic!<\/p>\n

\u2013 Scoal’, p\u0103rinte! \u021bip\u0103 ea \u00eengrozit\u0103… Nu mai sufl\u0103!<\/p>\n

Omul s\u0103ri \u00een picioare, lu\u0103 b\u0103iatul \u00een bra\u021be \u0219i fugi \u00een curte strig\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u2013 S\u0103ri\u021bi, oameni buni! s\u0103ri\u021bi!<\/p>\n

Se ar\u0103t\u0103 peste culmea dealului soarele… O mul\u021bime de b\u0103rba\u021bi \u0219i mai ales de femei se str\u00e2nse. Preotul pusese copilul \u021beap\u0103n pe prisp\u0103 \u0219i-l bocea \u00een genunchi… O femeie \u021binea lum\u00e2narea.<\/p>\n

Dar nu-i mort \u00eenc\u0103… Un desc\u00e2ntec cu ap\u0103 ne\u00eenceput\u0103… Copilul pare c\u0103 mi\u0219c\u0103… \u00eel ridic\u0103 de mijloc \u00eencetinel… El deschide lin ochii, r\u0103sufl\u0103 \u0219i zice cu glasul stins:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Mi-e foame!<\/p>\n

Bun doftor aerul Dobrenilor! Acea fiin\u021b\u0103 cur\u0103\u021bit\u0103 pe dinafar\u0103 trebuia \u0219i pe din\u0103untru primenit\u0103: asta era treaba lui \u0219i a luat-o foarte binevoitor asupr\u0103-\u0219i. A fost dureroas\u0103 \u0219i crud\u0103 opera\u021bie; dar era neap\u0103rat\u0103 \u0219i din norocire a izbutit.<\/p>\n

B\u0103iatul sc\u0103pat cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219ire, s\u00e2nge proasp\u0103t \u00eencepu s\u0103-i rumeneasc\u0103 obrajii, a\u0219a de ve\u0219tezi mai \u00eenainte, \u0219i s\u0103 umple ochii lui posomor\u00e2\u021bi \u0219i-ntuneco\u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 aci, de lumin\u0103 \u0219i veselie. Fusese o lupt\u0103 extrem\u0103, \u00eenfrico\u0219at\u0103; via\u021ba p\u0103\u0219ea acuma-nainte str\u0103lucitoare \u0219i m\u00e2ndr\u0103 de a\u0219a biruin\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n

Pe c\u00e2nd preoteasa Sultana at\u00e2rna \u00een biserica din Dobreni o icoan\u0103 frumoas\u0103 d\u0103ruit\u0103 Maicii Domnului pentru c\u0103-i d\u0103ruise ce a fost rugat-o ea, \u00een or\u0103\u0219elul de re\u0219edin\u021b\u0103 era oarecare mi\u0219care la cafeneaua din centru: se aflase de urma lui Mitu Boerul.<\/p>\n

Dispari\u021bia lui nu putuse trece neluat\u0103 \u00een seam\u0103: era o pagub\u0103 real\u0103 pentru at\u00e2\u021bia amatori de giumbu\u0219uri. Nu se \u0219tia ce s\u0103 fie: fugise?… murise? \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u0219it se aflase adev\u0103rul. O noti\u021b\u0103 publicat\u0103 \u00een gazeta local\u0103 ar\u0103ta c\u0103, \u00een vremea b\u00e2lciului, un pop\u0103 de \u021bar\u0103, care umblase noaptea\u00a0<\/span>beat pe la caf\u00e9-chantant, \u00eentrebase din v\u0103t\u0103\u0219el \u00een v\u0103t\u0103\u0219el despre b\u0103iat… Popa desigur \u00eel luase…<\/p>\n

Procurorul lu\u0103 afacerea \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i, “cu o inteligen\u021b\u0103 \u0219i un zel care-i fac adev\u0103rat\u0103 onoare” descoperi c\u0103 “victima raptului” se afl\u0103 la popa Ni\u021b\u0103 din Dobrenii-de-plai. Atunci t\u00e2n\u0103rul magistrat, \u00eenso\u021bit de for\u021ba public\u0103, a plecat la cuvenita cercetare local\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n

Revoltat c\u0103 vrea s\u0103-i ia b\u0103iatul, preotul a f\u0103cut o elocuent\u0103 ap\u0103rare a cauzei sale.<\/p>\n

Un copil b\u00e2ntuit de foame; \u00een prada unor porniri ru\u0219inoase \u0219i omor\u00e2toare chiar pentru un om copt; desfr\u00e2nat prin \u00eendemnul lumii batjocoritoare, nes\u0103\u021bioase de petreceri… Sc\u0103pat de a\u0219a vitreg\u0103 soart\u0103, \u00eentors de la o at\u00e2t de r\u0103t\u0103cit\u0103 cale – de la moarte la via\u021b\u0103… Dormea pe p\u0103m\u00e2ntul gol, bolnav \u0219i ab\u0103tut, cu trupul fript din cre\u0219tet p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een t\u0103lpi de pecingine murdar\u0103, cu inima smintit\u0103 de tic\u0103lo\u0219ie… Ce-ar fi f\u0103cut copilul \u0103sta f\u0103r\u0103 ad\u0103post nici mil\u0103, c\u00e2nd ar fi \u00eenceput zloata \u0219i gerul? – Ar fi murit pe o gr\u0103mad\u0103 de gunoi, ca un c\u00e2ine h\u0103rbar f\u0103r\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2n. \u0218i s\u0103 zici c-ar fi putut \u00eenfrunta at\u00e2ta vijelie \u00eenver\u0219unat\u0103! ce-ar fi ajuns?… Spitalul de nebuni… Temni\u021ba… Ocna!<\/p>\n

Cuv\u00e2ntul oratorului c\u00e2\u0219tigase aproape pe to\u021bi asisten\u021bii… Se vedea pe chipurile tuturor o impresie binevoitoare. Procurorul a r\u0103spuns \u00eens\u0103 scurt \u0219i r\u0103spicat:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Popo, nu po\u021bi secuestra minorul! minorul trebuie restituit cui de drept; legea e cu el, legea protege pe minori!… Dura lex, sed lex!<\/p>\n

Tonul magistral \u0219i sever, cuvintele \u00eenalte \u0219i demne ale procurorului, neap\u0103rat c\u0103 trebuia s\u0103 r\u0103stoarne impresia ce preotul ob\u021binuse cu elocuen\u021ba-i sentimental\u0103. \u0218i notarul \u00eencepu s\u0103 scrie, sub dictatura omului legii, procesul-verbal\u2026<\/p>\n

Era hot\u0103r\u00e2t: \u00eei lua copilul! El nu-l putea l\u0103sa \u00eens\u0103… Dar… i-l ia!<\/p>\n

Popa clipi aiurit \u0219i v\u0103zu \u00eenainte s\u00e2nge… Chiar pentru o fapt\u0103 sau numai pentru o demonstra\u021bie, \u00eens\u0103 \u0219i n-ar fi\u00a0<\/span>putut-o spune – el se repezi \u00een odaie \u0219i lu\u0103 pu\u0219ca din cui, c\u00e2nd cumnatu-s\u0103u Cu\u021biteiu, primarul, om v\u0103zut \u0219i umblat prin multe, intr\u0103 dup\u0103 el \u0219i-l apuc\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103… \u0218i popa \u00een\u021belese c\u0103 niciodat\u0103 \u00een clipe a\u0219a de \u00eenalte, inspira\u021bia nu trebuie c\u0103utat\u0103 la un chilometru; ea ne st\u0103 sub nas – cine se uit\u0103 departe, fire\u0219te n-o s-o vaz\u0103… Popa puse pu\u0219ca-n cui – descuie lada, scotoci \u00een fund, \u0219i l\u0103s\u0103 cu mult\u0103 discre\u021bie capacul, a\u0219ez\u00e2nd la loc velin\u021ba pe deasupra.<\/p>\n

Primarul trecu iar\u0103\u0219i unde se scria procesul-verbal… Omul legii dicta:<\/p>\n

“Dispunem dar…”<\/p>\n

Cu\u021biteiu \u00eentrerupse, cer\u00e2nd foarte respectuos iert\u0103ciune magistratului s\u0103-i spuie ceva… \u0219i ie\u0219ir\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi \u00een tind\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Domnule procuror, \u0219opti primarul cu o anume privire, popa este un om foarte de treab\u0103… Nu-l cunoa\u0219te\u021bi… Pofti\u021bi, pofti\u021bi!<\/p>\n

\u0218i deschiz\u00e2nd u\u0219a, introduse foarte politicos pe junele licen\u021biat \u00een odaie unde-l a\u0219tepta ner\u0103bd\u0103tor p\u0103rintele… \u0218i a\u0219a se f\u0103cur\u0103 toate bune… Procesul-verbal nici nu trebuia schimbat: totul st\u0103 \u00een \u00eencheiere. Procurorul \u00eentreb\u0103 pe notar:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Unde am ajuns?<\/p>\n

– \u201eDispunem dar…” r\u0103spunse notarul cu toat\u0103 gravitatea.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nu a\u0219a, zise procurorul: \u201edispunem \u00eens\u0103”.<\/p>\n

\u0218i spre mul\u021bumirea tuturor, reprezentantul ministerului public dict\u0103:<\/p>\n

“Dispunem \u00eens\u0103 – consider\u00e2nd informa\u021biile cele mai am\u0103nun\u021bite, care unanim arat\u0103 pe sfin\u021bia-sa p\u0103rintele Ni\u021b\u0103 din Dobrenii-de-plai ca pe un om cu cele mai frumoase calit\u0103\u021bi; consider\u00e2nd c\u0103 pe de alt\u0103 parte progresele fizice \u0219i morale realizate, sub \u00eengrijirea sfin\u021biei sale, de c\u0103tre minorul Mitu, supranumit “Boierul” – dispunem a r\u0103m\u00e2nea sus men\u021bionatul minor, \u00een complect\u0103 lips\u0103 de ascenden\u021bi, sub paza \u0219i r\u0103spunderea acestui meritos \u0219i caritabil preot”.<\/p>\n

Seara a fost mas\u0103 mare la popa Ni\u021b\u0103. Domnul procuror a trebuit s\u0103 cedeze rug\u0103ciunilor tuturor \u0219i s\u0103-\u0219i am\u00e2ne\u00a0<\/span>plecarea pe a doua zi. El “s-a crezut dator” s\u0103 fac\u0103 la pr\u00e2nz cele mai sincere \u0219i mai c\u0103lduroase laude sentimentelor umane ale p\u0103rintelui “al c\u0103rui exemplu nu s-ar putea \u00eendeajuns recomanda”. Domnul procuror vorbea mult \u0219i frumos – era foarte vesel; diplomatul Cu\u021biteiu z\u00e2mbea cu mult \u00een\u021beles f\u0103c\u00e2nd preotului cu ochiul, pe c\u00e2nd acesta \u021binea \u00eentre genunchi pe Mitu \u0219i, cu g\u00e2ndul pe alt\u0103 lume, \u00eel trecea \u00eencet cu m\u00e2na prin p\u0103rul b\u0103lan \u0219i moale.<\/p>\n

Unei femei ca preoteasa Sultana, a\u0219a de bun\u0103 cu un copil s\u0103rman, str\u0103in, trebuia s\u0103-i dea Dumnezeu o bucurie – \u0219i i-a dat-o: \u00een acela\u0219i an a avut o feti\u021b\u0103… Dar ce bucurie! Mult\u0103 b\u0103taie de cap \u0219i trud\u0103 i-a trebuit ca s-o creasc\u0103 – pentru c\u0103 era \u0219i un copil ciudat! De mirare cum dintr-o mam\u0103 at\u00e2t de blajin\u0103 \u0219i supus\u0103 s\u0103 nasc\u0103 a\u0219a fire!…<\/p>\n

Aveau odat\u0103 un vi\u021bel; \u00eel scoseser\u0103 din necaz – se pr\u0103p\u0103dise vaca \u0219i r\u0103m\u0103sese bietul f\u0103r\u0103 \u021b\u00e2\u021b\u0103… Cine-l \u00eengrijea? \u2013 Ileana – s\u0103 fi fost p-atunci fetic\u0103 de vreo doisprezece ani. Cine-l hr\u0103nea? Cine se rugase cu cerul \u0219i cu p\u0103m\u00e2ntul de m\u0103-sa s-o lase s\u0103 culce vi\u021belul pl\u0103p\u00e2nd cu ea \u00een cas\u0103? – Ileana. Era o dragoste nemaipomenit\u0103. \u00centr-o diminea\u021b\u0103 \u00eens\u0103, ea se scul\u0103 bufnind: nu vrea s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103 nici cu mama nici cu tata; ei, ca p\u0103rin\u021bi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd-o iar \u00een toane rele, o oc\u0103r\u00e2r\u0103! ea fugi \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103. Aici s-apuc\u0103 s\u0103 se joace ca de obicei cu Priian \u0103l mic: \u00eel prinse s\u0103-l m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie \u0219i, \u00eencle\u0219t\u00e2ndu-\u0219i din\u021bii, \u00eel str\u00e2nse tare de bot. Ori n-avea nici el chef de joc \u00een diminea\u021ba aceea, ori \u00eel sup\u0103rase prea tare semnul ei de dragoste, animalul se smuci \u0219i se dep\u0103rt\u0103 \u021b\u00e2fnind. Era \u00eel chem\u0103 – el n-ascult\u0103… Merse dup\u0103 el, el nu vru\u2026 Se r\u0103sti la el \u2014 Priian fugi… \u0218i tot a\u0219a \u0219i iar a\u0219a… \u00cenc\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2narea lui cre\u0219tea potrivit cu st\u0103ruin\u021bele ei. Nu vrea \u0219i pace. Obosit\u0103, cu tot s\u00e2ngele-n obraji, tremur\u00e2nd de ciud\u0103, ea se duse, lu\u0103 o bucat\u0103 de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 \u0219i o bard\u0103 \u0219i se-ntoarse iar… Cum o v\u0103zu venind, Priian se-nfipse \u00een copite \u0219i b\u00e2rlig\u0103 coada… Ea se apropie bini\u0219or-bini\u0219or… cu m\u00e2na st\u00e2ng\u0103 \u00eentins\u0103, cu dreapta ascuns\u0103 la spate, spun\u00e2nd prietenului ei, care o nec\u0103jise,\u00a0<\/span>vorbe m\u00e2ng\u00e2ioase… El \u021binti asupr\u0103-i ochii mari \u0219i pro\u0219ti \u0219i cu \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eencredere arunc\u00e2ndu-i din afundul n\u0103rilor umede duhoarea dulce de lapte… Stete nemi\u0219cat… Fata \u00eenaint\u0103 lin m\u00e2na… Priian \u00eentinse botul fraged, dar, p\u00e2n\u0103 s-apuce buc\u0103\u021bica, Ileana \u00eei trase una cu sete \u00een stuful cre\u021b din frunte; t\u0103i\u0219ul se-nfipse ad\u00e2nc \u00een osul \u00eenc\u0103 necopt. Capul dr\u0103gu\u021b al lui Priian se-nec\u0103 \u00een s\u00e2nge… S\u0103rmanul se t\u0103v\u0103li \u0219i \u00eencepu s\u0103 zv\u00e2cneasc\u0103 grozav din picioare.<\/p>\n

Mama o v\u0103zu venind \u00eentunecat\u0103 \u0219i stropit\u0103 de s\u00e2nge pe obraz, pe m\u00e2ini \u0219i piept.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ce e?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Am t\u0103iat pe Priian \u00een fundul gr\u0103dinii…. Ai s\u0103-\u021bi ar\u0103t!<\/p>\n

C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103, Priian se ispr\u0103vise de tot.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Hain\u0103, hain\u0103! strig\u0103 mama… De ce?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Iac-a\u0219a!<\/p>\n

A b\u0103tut-o r\u0103u; ea a r\u0103bdat – nici o vorb\u0103, nici o lacrim\u0103. Mama \u00eens\u0103 s-a v\u0103ic\u0103rat mult de m\u00e2hnire \u0219i de grije…<\/p>\n

Dar c\u00e2nd s-a sup\u0103rat pe tat-s\u0103u \u0219i i-a tr\u00e2ntit candela din cui \u0219i a umblat fugar\u0103 trei zile p\u00e2n p\u0103dure, de nu mai \u0219tiau und\u2019 s-o caute?… Dar mai t\u00e2rziu – fat\u0103 mare! – c\u00e2nd, dintr-o vorb\u0103 de nimica, a \u00een\u0219f\u0103cat \u00een bra\u021be pe Stanca Radii, \u0219i nici una nici alta, s-o arunce de sus de pe t\u0103p\u0219an, unde se f\u0103cea hora, de r\u00e2p\u0103?… Au trebuit doi fl\u0103c\u0103i s\u0103 lupte s-o scape pe Stanca… P\u0103cat de a\u0219a frumuse\u021be \u0219i m\u00e2ndre\u021be de femeie s\u0103 fie a\u0219a de crunt\u0103 \u0219i d\u00e2rje!<\/p>\n

Pe biata preoteas\u0103 Sultana a chemat-o Maica Domnului de vreme… a pl\u00e2ns-o mult b\u0103rbatul pe bl\u00e2nda femeie, pe care o iubise at\u00e2ta pentru sufletul ei cel bun, pentru mila ei de s\u0103rmanul cules de pe drumuri.<\/p>\n

V\u0103duvul nem\u00e2ng\u00e2iat \u0219i-a m\u0103ritat fata cur\u00e2nd dup\u0103 moartea nevestii: nu mai era de trai – trebuia odat\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103tuit\u0103.<\/p>\n

E un om de treab\u0103 ginerele; dar e slab de \u00eenger… ur\u00e2t \u0219i moale de genunchi… vorbe\u0219te peltic… pricepe greu… Bun om, cumsecade… dar nu e ce-ar fi s\u0103 fie – mai ales pentru astfel de femeie, alt b\u0103rbat trebuia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mitu a crescut mare \u0219i voinic… Ast\u0103zi el este \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103tor \u00een Dobreni. P\u0103rintele Ni\u021b\u0103 a dorit mult s\u0103-l aib\u0103 aproape \u0219i a izbutit s\u0103-l permute aici de acum \u0219ase luni, ca s\u0103-l poat\u0103 \u00eensura \u0219i a\u0219eza..<\/p>\n

II<\/span><\/h2>\n

Toate acestea trec acum prin mintea p\u0103rintelui Ni\u021b\u0103, \u0219i de aceea b\u0103tr\u00e2nul e foarte m\u00e2hnit. Zadarnic lupt\u0103 s\u0103 goneasc\u0103 g\u00e2ndurile care-l fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103 – c\u00e2ntecul de afar\u0103 i le \u00eencurc\u0103 \u0219i mai tare: Ileana fata lui, nevasta lui Matache, \u0219ade \u00een curte cu b\u0103rbia rezemat\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i c\u00e2nt\u0103.<\/p>\n

Ileana c\u00e2nt\u0103 frumos, e \u0219tiut\u0103; dar acuma c\u0103ldura c\u00e2ntecului este deosebit\u0103; glasul ei arde. Omul, care \u00eenv\u0103\u021base at\u00e2tea, asculta mu\u0219c\u00e2ndu-\u0219i buzele: el b\u0103nuia… nu, \u00een\u021belegea bine ce putere a ridicat a\u0219a de \u00eenalt coardele c\u00e2nt\u0103re\u021bii.<\/p>\n

O melodie simpl\u0103 \u0219i monoton\u0103, – dar c\u00e2te \u00een\u021belesuri, c\u00e2t\u0103 pierzanie de suflet, c\u00e2te f\u0103g\u0103duieli f\u0103r\u0103 margini \u0219i poft\u0103 oarb\u0103! Fata c\u00e2nta tinere\u021bele lui. C\u00e2ntecul acela \u00eel lua \u00een sus, ca pe ni\u0219te aripi largi \u0219i puternice, \u0219i-l ducea \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t cu treizeci de ani… \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-se de-acolo c\u0103tre clipa de fa\u021b\u0103, num\u0103ra el unul dup\u0103 altul exact toate belciugele ce-i f\u0103cuser\u0103 lan\u021bul vie\u021bii.<\/p>\n

C\u00e2ntecul Ileanii durea prea mult: nu mai era de suferit: trebuia n\u0103bu\u0219it. Tat\u0103l ie\u0219i pe prisp\u0103 \u0219i-o chem\u0103 brusc. Ea t\u0103cu \u0219i s-apropie.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ileano, Ileano! zise popa mustr\u0103tor \u0219i fulger\u00e2nd-o cu privirea. E p\u0103cat!<\/p>\n

\u2013 Taic\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u2013 E p\u0103cat, ad\u0103ug\u0103 popa \u0219i mai ap\u0103sat. Ru\u0219ine \u0219i p\u0103cat! \u0219i ie\u0219i pripit din ograd\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se uite \u00eenapoi.<\/p>\n

El merse drept la \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103tor… Omul acesta scotea pe Ileana din min\u021bi… da, el!<\/p>\n

Aci s-a urmat o scen\u0103 foarte nepl\u0103cut\u0103: amare imput\u0103ri de nerecuno\u0219tin\u021b\u0103 deoparte, de alta protest\u0103ri c\u0103lduroase de nevinov\u0103\u021bie. T\u00e2n\u0103rul jura c\u0103 n-au fost dec\u00e2t poate glume umflate de gura r\u0103u-voitoare a oamenilor\u00a0<\/span>sau mai bine a femeilor din sat, care dac\u0103 nu b\u00e2rfesc, nu tr\u0103iesc. B\u0103tr\u00e2nul \u021binea \u00eentr-una f\u0103r\u0103 s-asculte, c\u0103 un b\u0103rbat \u00een toata firea nu se cuvine s\u0103 se r\u0103t\u0103ceasc\u0103 dup\u0103 o minte slab\u0103 de femeie. \u0218i la urm\u0103 scurt: o voin\u021b\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la s\u00e2nge a \u00eempiedica ru\u0219inea \u0219i p\u0103catul… Numaidec\u00e2t \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103torul trebuia s\u0103 cear\u0103 permutarea \u00een alt jude\u021b: preotul avea mijloace s\u0103 capete aprobarea imediat\u0103. \u00cei dedea o sum\u0103 \u00eensemnat\u0103; \u00eei g\u0103sea o fat\u0103 bun\u0103 s\u0103-l \u00eensoare… \u00eel iubea ca pe un scump copil al lui… cu mult mai mult dec\u00e2t pe Ileana… \u0218-asupra cuvintelor din urm\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2nul sim\u021bind c\u0103-i scade energia, se gr\u0103bi s\u0103 plece f\u0103r-a mai r\u0103spunde la observa\u021biile t\u00e2n\u0103rului, care nu se \u0219tia s\u0103 merite aceast\u0103 izgonire.<\/p>\n

Preotul porni spre cas\u0103; dar deodat\u0103 se opri… un moment nehot\u0103r\u00e2t… apoi \u00ee\u0219i \u00eentoarse pa\u0219ii – nu vrea s\u0103 vaz\u0103 pe Ileana… s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la Cu\u021biteiu… Nu c\u0103 doar avea sa-i spuie ceva, dar sim\u021bea nevoia s\u0103 nu fie singur.<\/p>\n

Primarul era acas\u0103. B\u0103tr\u00e2nii prieteni se a\u0219ezar\u0103 pe p\u0103limar… De m\u00e2ncare n-avea p\u0103rintele poft\u0103; dar un pahar de vin bun e bine oric\u00e2nd… Cu\u021biteiu scoase din beci o can\u0103 cu spum\u0103… Primarul era foarte vesel \u0219i fiindc\u0103 nu-i era somn, ca de obicei, avea poft\u0103 de lafuri.<\/p>\n

\u00centre un om \u0219i altul este adesea ca de la o stea la alta. Arde acolo un soare uria\u0219 \u0219i dincolo altul. Printre \u00eenv\u00e2rtitoare pulbere de lumi, un colos de fl\u0103c\u0103ri d-abia z\u0103re\u0219te pe cel\u0103lalt ca o sc\u00e2nteie ce clipe\u0219te pierdut\u0103 \u00een negura f\u0103r\u0103 fund… Ba c\u00e2\u021bi \u00eenc\u0103 nu se mai z\u0103resc deloc \u0219i unul de altul nici m\u0103car nu b\u0103nuiesc. Adesea tot a\u0219a se pricep oamenii \u00eentre ei \u0219i pot \u00een\u021belege unul altuia sufletul.<\/p>\n

Steteau aci fa\u021b\u0103-n fa\u021b\u0103 cei doi b\u0103tr\u00e2ni \u0219i buni prieteni, dar era at\u00e2t de nem\u0103surat\u0103 dep\u0103rtarea dintre ei \u0219i aceasta reducea pentru Cu\u021biteiu la propor\u021bii ce nici nu mai merit\u0103 socotite spaimele p\u0103rintelui. La urma urmelor, ce lucru mare \u0219i grozav?… E ceva s\u0103 se-nt\u00e2mple mai des \u0219i mai lesne?… Ce?… Se iubesc doi oameni tineri… Ei! \u0219-apoi?… Lume nu e?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 Eu \u0219tiam de la-nceput ca o s\u0103 fie-ncurc\u0103tur\u0103, zise Cu\u021biteiu cu z\u00e2mbetul lui obi\u0219nuit… Nici c\u0103 se putea altfel… \u00cent\u00e2i numai b\u0103nuiam – acum mi-a\u0219 pune capul… St\u0103i s\u0103 vezi… Duminica vreo dou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni, nu \u0219tiu ce roboteam prin gr\u0103din\u0103… Numa ce s\u0103-i vezi: venea am\u00e2ndoi dinspre g\u00e2rl\u0103, trecea pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 gard \u0219i vorbea \u0219optit… N-am putut auzi mai nimic… At\u00e2ta doar\u0103 mi s-a p\u0103rut c\u0103 zicea ea: \u201eNu te crez!\u201d da el zice: \u201eO s\u0103 vezi!\u201d Am s\u0103rit repede din gr\u0103din\u0103 \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 s-ajung\u0103 ei pe linie, cum umbla domol \u0219i se tot oprea pe loc, le-am ie\u0219it \u00eenainte pe poart\u0103… Se leg\u0103na al\u0103turi parc\u0103 mergea pe o ap\u0103… Era s\u0103 treac\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine f\u0103r\u2019 s\u0103 m\u0103 vaz\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u201cBun\u0103 diminea\u021ba, fin\u0103\u201d, zic; zice: \u201cS\u0103rut m\u00e2na, na\u0219ule\u201d. \u201cDa-ncotro?\u201d \u201cMergeam \u0219i noi la biseric\u0103\u2026 Ne-am \u00eent\u00e2lnit mai colea cu neica Mitu\u2026\u201d I-am tras cu ochiul, \u0219i zic: \u201cCale bun\u0103, fin\u0103\u201d. El a t\u0103cut \u0219i s-a f\u0103cut ro\u0219u ca ardeiul; da ea, diavoloaica, a-nceput s\u0103 r\u00e2z\u0103; zice: \u201cS\u0103rut m\u00e2na, n\u0103\u0219icule!\u201d \u0219i-a plecat am\u00e2ndoi \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n

M-am uitat lung dup\u0103 ei p\u00e2n\u0103 a intrat \u00een curtea bisericii\u2026 a\u0219a m\u00e2ndri\u00a0!… Ei! Ce s\u0103 mai vorbim degeaba, taic\u0103? Dac\u0103 a\u0219a a f\u0103cut Dumnezeu lumea noastr\u0103\u2026 Am zis \u0219i eu: a\u0219a da, a\u0219a-mi place \u0219i mie\u00a0!…<\/p>\n

\u2026\u0218-apoi, adic\u0103 ce-ar fi \u2013 ad\u0103og\u0103 Cu\u021biteiu dup\u0103 o scurt\u0103 t\u0103cere \u2013 ce-ar fi s\u0103-l lase pe p\u00e2rlitul de Matache \u0219i s\u0103 ia pe Mitu?<\/p>\n

\u2013 C\u00e2t oi tr\u0103i eu asta nu se poate, zise popa.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ce se potrive\u0219te!… De ce?<\/p>\n

\u2013 C\u0103 nu voi eu\u00a0!… \u0218i popa \u00eenghi\u021bi \u00een sec \u0219i, sim\u021bindu-\u0219i g\u00e2tul uscat, b\u0103u dou\u0103 pahare unul dup\u0103 altul\u2026 \u0219-apoi \u00eenc\u0103 unul.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ei\u00a0! asta-i\u2026 Or s\u0103 te \u00eentrebe \u0219i pe tine!… \u0218i dac\u0103-i vorba, tot mai bine s\u0103-i fie nevast\u0103 dec\u00e2t \u021biitoare\u2026 Uite popa cum se mir\u0103! parc\u0103-nt\u00e2ia oar\u0103 a v\u0103zut d-alde astea\u2026 Ce, m\u0103, tu n-ai fost t\u00e2n\u0103r niciodat\u0103? Nu \u021bi s-a-nt\u00e2mplat\u2026 Iac\u0103 mie, cum m\u0103 vezi, mi s-a-nt\u00e2mplat\u2026 \u0219i \u00eenc\u0103 la mine\u2026 a fost ca nelumea\u2026 Acuma poci s\u0103-\u021bi spui ca la un duhovnic, c-a trecut de mult\u2026 Eu m\u0103-ndr\u0103gisem de cumnat\u0103-mea\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Popa f\u0103cu o mi\u0219care.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Da, da, de nevasta lui frate-meu r\u0103posatul\u2026 S\u0103 murim \u0219i ea \u0219i mai multe nu\u2026 Satul tot \u0219tia \u0219i frate-meu nimic\u2026 Bietul r\u0103posatul\u00a0!… bun om, da prost! Parc\u0103-l \u00eempingea dracul s\u0103 m-ajute el. \u021aiu minte odat\u0103 zor-nevoie s\u0103 m\u0103 duc \u0219i eu la t\u00e2rg cu ea, c\u0103 el avea treab\u0103 la deal\u2026 Bucuria noastr\u0103! M\u0103 \u0219i suisem \u00een c\u0103ru\u021b\u0103 cu Smaranda, c\u00e2nd iac\u0103t\u0103 maic\u0103-ta\u2026 Venise so lu\u0103m \u0219i pe ea cu noi. Ce s\u0103 faci? Am luat-o… O zi \u00eentreag\u0103 n-a fost chip s-o r\u0103t\u0103cim p\u00e2n t\u00e2rg…”<\/p>\n

Taica m\u0103 d\u0103sc\u0103lea pe-o parte, maic\u0103-ta pe alta… \u0218i unul \u0219-altul o p\u0103zea pe Smaranda… Unde s\u0103 te apropii? \u2014 Ce mi-a dat p\u0103catu-n g\u00e2nd? S\u0103 fug cu ea-n lume… Cine s\u0103 le fi spus… cum or fi aflat-o \u0219i p-asta… nu \u0219tiu… \u0219tiu numai at\u00e2ta c\u0103 m-a v\u00e2ndut alde taica – s\u0103 scape de mine \u0219i pe mine de p\u0103cat.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cum?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Iaca lesne… M-am pomenit \u00eentr-o diminea\u021b\u0103 cu larm\u0103 mare-n sat, chiote, \u021bipete de muieri \u0219i copii… Ce e? Ce e? Alergau ale\u0219ii cu ceau\u0219ii s\u0103 prinz\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103i la mili\u021bie… N-apucasem s\u0103-mi pui minteanul, \u0219i numa iac\u0103 Smaranda \u00eentr-un suflet: “Fugi Constandine! dup\u0103 tine umbl\u0103… fugi c\u0103 te ia!” Odat\u0103 mi-a sc\u0103p\u0103rat p\u00e2n cap: “Tii! asta ho\u021bul de taica mi-a f\u0103cut-o!” c\u0103-mi spusese cu vreo c\u00e2teva zile mai-nainte: “M\u0103, Constandine, tu ai fi bun de doroban\u021b… ce nu vrei tu s\u0103 te bagi la mili\u021bie?” “Acu, zic, tot m\u0103 ia ei \u00eencai…” Am apucat-o pe Smaranda \u0219-am smucit-o \u00een\u0103untru-n odaie… \u021ai-ai g\u0103sit!… Nici n-am atins bine clan\u021ba, \u0219i iac\u0103 \u0219i taica cu toporul ridicat: “Tic\u0103lo\u0219ilor, v\u0103 tr\u0103zne\u0219te Dumnezeu! v\u0103 cr\u0103p capul ca la ni\u0219te c\u00e2ini!…”.<\/p>\n

\u0102ia intraser\u0103 \u00een curte… \u00cei dau br\u00e2nci b\u0103tr\u00e2nului – Dumnezeu s\u0103-l odihneasc\u0103! – c\u00e2t colo, ies pe prisp\u0103 \u0219i pui m\u00e2na la br\u00e2u pe pr\u0103sele: “M\u0103! zic: \u0103l dint\u0103i de-o pune m\u00e2na pe mine… \u00eei v\u0103rs ma\u021bele!” \u0219-o iau la fug\u0103 spre p\u00e2rleaz… Ei dup\u0103 mine. Un ceau\u0219 de doroban\u021bi venea \u00eenainte m\u00e2nc\u00e2nd p\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u0219i-nv\u00e2rtea peste cap \u0219treangul… parc\u0103-l v\u0103z \u0219-acu nalt \u0219i sp\u0103tos c\u00e2t o namil\u0103. “D\u0103-te!… nu te da!… \u021binea-aci!” C\u00e2nd s\u0103 pui piciorul\u00a0<\/span>peste gard, mi-a \u0219i aruncat la\u021bul pe g\u00e2t \u0219i m-a \u00eentors \u00eenapoi lat pe spate. M-am zb\u0103tut c\u00e2t am putut… da-mi luase apa. Ce s\u0103 mai lup\u021bi cu beregata str\u00e2ns\u0103-n \u0219treang! M-a legat cot la cot… \u0219i m-a dus…<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ei \u0219i?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ei! \u0219i m-a dus. Cine era s\u0103 m\u0103 pl\u0103teasc\u0103? taica?… M-a dus la tact \u0219i de acolo la ora\u0219… Am fugit odat\u0103 cu g\u00e2ndul s\u0103 viu s\u0103 iau pe Smaranda \u0219i s\u0103 m-apuc de ho\u021bie. A pus m\u00e2na pe mine, m-a b\u0103tut \u0219i m-a \u00eenchis… Am s\u0103rit \u00eentr-o noapte peste zid… A prins de veste straja, s-a luat dup\u0103 mine \u0219i m-a \u00eempu\u0219cat \u00een picior – \u0219-acu am semnul… Mi-a tras o b\u0103taie stra\u0219nic\u0103… Am stat \u00eenchis mult\u0103 vreme p\u00e2n\u0103 a venit s\u0103 m\u0103 scape – \u0219i cu ce cheltuial\u0103! – cine te g\u00e2nde\u0219ti?… Bietul neica, fr\u0103\u021bin\u0103-meu!…<\/p>\n

M-am \u00eentors acas\u0103… Smaranda avea doi copii… fusese bolnav\u0103… se f\u0103cuse ur\u00e2t\u0103… C\u00e2nd ne-am v\u0103zut, ne-a apucat \u0219i pe mine \u0219i pe ea o ru\u0219ine…<\/p>\n

\u2013 Pe urm\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Pe urm\u0103 m-am c\u0103s\u0103torit \u0219i am tr\u0103it cum m\u0103 \u0219tii… Bodaproste lui bietu taica: el m-a m\u00e2ntuit de p\u0103cat… c\u0103 dup\u0103 cum eram nebun, \u00eel f\u0103ceam – \u00eel f\u0103ceam \u0219i era f\u0103cut…<\/p>\n

Venise popa s\u0103 caute chipurile lini\u0219te la cumnatul Cu\u021biteiu! Nu cu vin, cu otrav\u0103-l cinstise. \u0218i de aceea se \u00eentorcea p\u0103rintele \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu cam pe dou\u0103 c\u0103r\u0103ri, c\u0103ut\u00e2nd o inspira\u021bie luminoas\u0103 \u0219i neput\u00e2nd apuca \u00een mintea-i turburat\u0103 calea spre o hot\u0103r\u00e2re. O oboseal\u0103 nespus\u0103, un fel de dezgust mai zdrobitor dec\u00e2t chiar dezn\u0103dejdea ap\u0103sa greu pe am\u00e2ndoi umerii b\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n

Care va s\u0103 zic\u0103 el cerea o jertfa – \u0219tia deaminteri \u0219i el astea tot a\u0219a de bine ca \u0219i Cu\u021biteiu – o jertf\u0103 care nu se d\u0103 de bun\u0103voie, care trebuie luat\u0103 cu de-a sila… “Cu de-a sila!…” \u0218i omul gr\u0103bi pasul… Ajunse acas\u0103, lu\u0103 din fundul l\u0103zii \u0219i v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een s\u00e2n un pachet \u00eenvelit \u00eentr-o basma, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u0219i porni… C\u00e2nd r\u0103s\u0103rea soarele era departe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drumul a fost \u0219i scurt \u0219i lung de neast\u00e2mp\u0103r, scurt de g\u00e2nduri… O s\u0103 se \u00eenvoiasc\u0103 prefectul?… Un \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103tor nu poate fi luat \u00een armat\u0103… Cum s\u0103 propuie? ce s\u0103 zic\u0103? cum s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103?… Dar dac\u0103 n-o izbuti?… Dac\u0103 nu s-o putea? Ei! numai s\u0103 vrea prefectul \u0219i se poate…<\/p>\n

Prefectul era o veche cuno\u0219tin\u021b\u0103 – procurorul de odinioar\u0103. Fost deputat, om bogat acuma, cu putere \u0219i influen\u021b\u0103 nem\u0103surat\u0103… S-ar putea dac\u0103 ar vrea el… \u00cen m\u00e2na omului aceluia st\u0103tea lini\u0219tea c\u0103l\u0103torului. Acesta \u00ee\u0219i aducea aminte c\u00e2t de bun fusese acela cu el… Da, dar acu nu mai era t\u00e2n\u0103rul vesel de p-atunci, trebuia s\u0103 fie un om matur… Lucrul poate c\u0103 n-o s\u0103 mearg\u0103 a\u0219a de u\u0219or ca aldat\u0103…<\/p>\n

\u0218i astfel, b\u0103t\u00e2ndu-se cu socotelile c\u0103l\u0103re\u021bul se trezi \u00eenainte-i cu sclipeala turnurilor de tinichea din ora\u0219… \u00cenc\u0103 o fug\u0103 de cal… \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u0219it!<\/p>\n

Intr\u0103 pe aceea\u0219i barier\u0103 pe unde acu mai bine de dou\u0103zeci de ani ie\u0219ise duc\u00e2nd \u00een c\u0103ru\u021b\u0103 comoara g\u0103sit\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 altarul lui Sf\u00e2ntul Ion… C\u0103l\u0103re\u021bul ocoli cu dinadinsul stradele principale \u0219i pia\u021ba, nevoind s\u0103 mai vaz\u0103 locurile ce fusese odinioar\u0103 teatrul talentelor micului bufon.<\/p>\n

Prefectul locuia la marginea ora\u0219ului \u00eentr-o cas\u0103 de jur \u00eemprejur cu o gr\u0103din\u0103 mare… La prefectul era lume mult\u0103… Preotul a\u0219tept\u0103 \u00een sal\u0103. D-abia se a\u0219ezase cu sfial\u0103 pe un col\u021b de scaun \u0219i auzi deodat\u0103 \u00een o odaie de-al\u0103turi un zgomot grozav: ceart\u0103, palme, bu\u0219eli, \u021bipete; u\u0219a od\u0103ii se deschise smucit, o slujnic\u0103 ur\u00e2t\u0103 \u0219i l\u0103l\u00e2ie, r\u0103gind ca o bestie, cu nasul \u0219i gura pline de s\u00e2nge, ie\u0219i z\u0103p\u0103cit\u0103; dup\u0103 ea numaidec\u00e2t, o dam\u0103 mititic\u0103 \u0219i uscat\u0103, cu capul plin de funde de h\u00e2rtie, fierb\u00e2nd \u0219i spumeg\u00e2nd, cu un cle\u0219te de soba \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, \u0219i strig\u00e2nd: “S-o puie la cote\u021b! la cote\u021b!” Una dup\u0103 alta pierir\u0103-ntr-o clip\u0103 pe alt\u0103 u\u0219e.<\/p>\n

Popa se ridic\u0103-n picioare mai mult de fric\u0103 dec\u00e2t de respect. P\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i dea bine seama de ce v\u0103zuse, auzi un hohot de r\u00e2s stra\u0219nic \u0219i-apoi alte \u021bipete, de ast\u0103dat\u0103 jalnice \u0219i sf\u00e2\u0219ietoare – o femeie se chinuia parca s\u0103-\u0219i dea sufletul. U\u0219a se deschise \u00eenapoi, \u0219i un ungurean intr\u0103 purt\u00e2nd \u00een bra\u021be pe dama cu capul \u00eenf\u0103\u0219urat \u00een h\u00e2rtii…\u00a0<\/span>Membrele-i erau \u00een\u021bepenite, g\u00e2tul \u0219i mijlocul str\u00e2mbe, fa\u021ba ca varul, \u0219i din ochii ei mari, deschi\u0219i peste m\u0103sur\u0103, se vedeau gogo\u0219ile albe… Gemea \u0219i scr\u00e2\u0219nea din din\u021bi. Slugoiul, ajutat de dou\u0103 femei, o duse \u00een odaia ei. Peste un moment, el ie\u0219i \u0219terg\u00e2ndu-se pe m\u00e2ini – \u00eel mu\u0219case.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ce e? \u00eendr\u0103zni popa aiurit.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Iac\u0103 ni\u0219te p\u0103cate!<\/p>\n

\u0218i f\u0103r\u0103 mult\u0103 st\u0103ruin\u021ba, popa afl\u0103 c\u00e2t e de rea \u0219i de bolnav\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2na casei, nevasta prefectului… O scorpie!… bate slugile p\u00e2n\u0103 la s\u00e2nge, le \u00een\u021beap\u0103 cu ace, le frige cu fierul de frizat ro\u0219it \u00een spirt… \u0219i c\u00e2nd ostene\u0219te, o apuc\u0103: r\u00e2de, pl\u00e2nge, \u021bip\u0103 \u0219i r\u0103m\u00e2ne ceasuri \u00eentregi \u021beap\u0103n\u0103… Trebuie frecat\u0103 cu perii aspre, b\u0103tut\u0103 cu nuiele sub\u021biri \u0219i afumat\u0103 cu ni\u0219te doftorii tari p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i vie iar \u00een fire.<\/p>\n

Popa \u00ee\u0219i f\u0103cu cruce \u0219i s-a\u0219ez\u0103 la loc s-a\u0219tepte. Tocmai t\u00e2rziu, prefectul ie\u0219i s\u0103 conduc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la scar\u0103 un boier b\u0103tr\u00e2n. Ispr\u0103vind, dete cu ochii de preot care sta umilit \u00een picioare. Din dou\u0103 vorbe cei doi vechi cunoscu\u021bi se recunoscur\u0103. Preotul zise \u00eencet:<\/p>\n

\u2013 A\u0219 vrea, s\u0103 tr\u0103i\u021bi, domnule prefect, s\u0103 v\u0103 spui un foc al meu… \u00eentre patru ochi…. dar \u00eentre patru ochi…<\/p>\n

Fiindc\u0103 mai avea doi musafiri, prefectul pofti foarte politicos pe popa, cu toate protest\u0103rile de rigoare ale acestuia, \u00een salonul de-al\u0103turi \u0219i intr\u0103 \u00een birou s\u0103 expedieze pe cei doi.<\/p>\n

Popa trecu \u00een salon \u0219i se opri un moment la u\u0219e… De mult nu mai intrase \u00een a\u0219a apartament! de mult nu-i mai lovise vederile a\u0219a combina\u021bie de forme \u0219i culori! Era \u00een adev\u0103r minunat. Salonul da \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 \u0219i reflexul copacilor, trec\u00e2nd prin perdelu\u021bele de r\u0103\u021bea, dedea \u0219i mai mult farmec acestui interior \u0219i bogat \u0219i de gust.<\/p>\n

Omul f\u0103cu un popas, \u00eenaint\u00e2nd ca un c\u0103l\u0103tor \u00eentr-o vale plin\u0103 de \u00eenc\u00e2nt\u0103toare amintiri pe care o revede deodat\u0103 dup\u0103 o \u00eendelungat\u0103 pribegire… Uimit, privi de jur \u00eemprejur; dar c\u00e2nd ajunse cu privirea \u00een col\u021bul unde b\u0103tea-n plin lumina verzuie de la trei ferestre mari, c\u0103l\u0103torul r\u0103mase tr\u0103snit… Un strig\u0103t i se-nec\u0103 \u00een piept: ochii lui \u00eent\u00e2lniser\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103turile unui portret mare…<\/span><\/p>\n

Era o ar\u0103tare din alt\u0103 lume \u2013 mai dulce, mai bun\u0103… fericit\u0103! Z\u00e2mbea cu acela\u0219i z\u00e2mbet neuitat \u00een care se amesteca mult\u0103 bl\u00e2nde\u021be cu mult\u0103 patim\u0103, at\u00e2ta inteligen\u021b\u0103 limpede cu at\u00e2ta oarb\u0103 pornire… B\u0103tr\u00e2nul stete mult… mult \u00eenaintea ei, \u0219i, voind parc\u0103 s-aprinz\u0103 cu privirea lui ochii nemi\u0219ca\u021bi de sus \u0219i s\u0103-i fac\u0103 s\u0103 clipeasc\u0103 o dat\u0103 m\u0103car, m\u0103car o dat\u0103, cl\u0103tin\u0103 din cap \u0219i \u0219opti:<\/p>\n

\u201eEi!… s\u0103 \u0219tii tu ce e acuma pe sufletul meu!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Poftim, p\u0103rinte, zise prefectul.<\/p>\n

B\u0103tr\u00e2nul tres\u0103ri:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cine e? \u00eentreb\u0103 el, \u00eentinz\u00e2nd m\u00e2na spre chipul din perete \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se uite la omul ce-l trezea a\u0219a de brusc din vis.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Soacr\u0103-mea… mama nevesti-mi… O femeie nenorocit\u0103: a murit t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103, s\u0103rmana!<\/p>\n

B\u0103tr\u00e2nul se \u00eentoarse machinal.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ei! ce e! spune-\u021bi p\u0103sul, ad\u0103og\u0103 prefectul; poftim de \u0219ezi.<\/p>\n

Popa \u0219ezu \u0219i t\u0103cu.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ai vreo pricin\u0103?… vreo daraver\u0103?… spune.<\/p>\n

Popa nu zise nimic.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Suntem singuri, n-ai nici o sfial\u0103… Nu ne-aude nimeni… Spune, zise foarte binevoitor, de\u0219i cu oarecare ner\u0103bdare prefectul. Dac\u0103 e posibil, te cunosc ce om e\u0219ti, fac tot pentru sfin\u021bia-ta.<\/p>\n

B\u0103tr\u00e2nul alunec\u0103 de pe scaun \u0219i c\u0103zu mototol pe covorul moale… Poli\u021baiul, care a\u0219tepta afar\u0103 ordine, era din norocire aci, gata la chemarea superiorului, s\u0103 ajute pe omul bolnav; l-a descheiat la g\u00e2t, la s\u00e2n, la br\u00e2u… l-a frecat cu o\u021bet la t\u00e2mple \u0219i la inim\u0103… C\u00e2nd \u00ee\u0219i veni \u00een fire, preotul era \u00eentins \u00een birou pe canapea… Se \u00eencheie degrab\u0103, \u00ee\u0219i ceru iert\u0103ciune – era bolnav, b\u0103t\u0103i de inim\u0103 \u0219i ame\u021beli – sim\u021bise cum \u00eel ia ca p-o ap\u0103, cum i se-ntunec\u0103 tot \u00eemprejur \u0219i cum adoarme… Se ridic\u0103, salut\u0103 \u0219i porni s\u0103 plece.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Bine, nu mi-ai spus nimic, zise prefectul, f\u0103c\u00e2nd semn poli\u021baiului s\u0103 ias\u0103.<\/p>\n

Poli\u021baiul ie\u0219i foarte mul\u021bumit de serviciul umanitar ce realizase… Popa se c\u0103uta mereu \u00een s\u00e2n, la br\u00e2u, prin\u00a0<\/span>buzunare, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 spuie o vorb\u0103… Prefectul, obosit, zise:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ei! spune-mi odat\u0103…<\/p>\n

\u2013 Am pierdut-o! r\u0103spunse popa naiv, salut\u0103 \u0219i ie\u0219i gr\u0103bit.<\/p>\n

Prefectul dete din umeri… Chem\u0103 pe poli\u021bai… Poli\u021baiul lipsea, dar trebuia s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 la moment; plecase \u00een fug\u0103 mare – “uitase raportul de noapte la can\u021bilerie!”<\/p>\n

Oric\u00e2t era de t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 Ileana, \u00een\u021belesese c\u0103 taic\u0103-s\u0103u citise \u00een sufletul ei tot a\u0219a de bine ca-n c\u0103r\u021bile lui de la biseric\u0103…<\/p>\n

Dac\u0103-i a\u0219a, care va s\u0103 zic\u0103 \u0219tie \u0219i el… \u0218i-apoi?… s\u0103 \u0219tie! Cine ce treab\u0103 are?… Fric\u0103?… de cine? de ce?… De Matache? tontul?… c\u00e2rpa?… O s\u0103-l lase \u0219i pace bun\u0103: trai cu de-a-sila nu se poate. Cinste?… Vorbe. Ru\u0219ine?… N-are. Da, s\u0103 \u0219tie tot satul!… I-ar p\u0103rea r\u0103u s\u0103 nu \u0219tie lumea toat\u0103!… Are s\u0103 spuie chiar d\u00e2nsa… Da, pentru c\u0103 nu mai poate ascunde focul ce-o arde; trebuie odat\u0103 s\u0103-l dea afar\u0103… \u0219i c\u00e2ntecul \u0219i pl\u00e2nsul pe-nfundate nu-i mai ajung pentru asta. Are s\u0103 ias\u0103 pe drum… nu; are s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la biseric\u0103, c\u00e2nd o fi tot vileagul str\u00e2ns, o s\u0103 strige \u00een gura mare c\u0103-i plesne\u0219te inima de at\u00e2ta chin mut, c\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 omul \u0103sta \u00eennebune\u0219te, omoar\u0103 pe cine i-o ie\u0219i \u00eenainte \u0219i se str\u00e2nge singur\u0103 de g\u00e2t cu ghiarele ca o fiar\u0103 nebun\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u0218i cu m\u00e2inile \u00eenfipte \u00een p\u0103r, femeia \u00ee\u0219i leg\u0103na ca de durere capul frumos \u00eentr-o parte \u0219i-n alta… De p\u00e2n dosul caselor porni – a\u0219a de t\u00e2rziu! – semnalul cunoscut: fiara nebun\u0103 dintr-o s\u0103ritur\u0103 fu de g\u00e2tul pr\u0103zii.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ci vino odat\u0103! gemu ea. De ce m\u0103 chinuie\u0219ti? Ce vrei? – s\u0103 mor? Zi tu c\u0103 vrei s\u0103 mor… Pe sufletul mamii din groap\u0103 – s-ajung s\u0103 m\u0103 gunoiesc la garduri p\u00e2n\u0103 or fugi \u0219i c\u00e2inii de mine! s\u0103-mi pice carnea putred\u0103 de pe oase! s\u0103 mi se macine oasele p\u00e2n\u0103 la m\u0103duv\u0103! jig\u0103niile p\u0103m\u00e2ntului s\u0103 mi se-ncuibe \u00een co\u0219ul pieptului \u0219i-n \u021beasta capului: zi tu c\u0103 vrei s\u0103 mor… acu\u0219ica, acilea, mor!<\/p>\n

Ochii i se-nchiser\u0103, obrajii \u0219i gura \u00eei \u00eenghe\u021bar\u0103, \u0219i cazu moale \u00een bra\u021bele lui. C\u00e2nd de suflarea b\u0103rbatului femeia \u00ee\u0219i\u00a0<\/span>c\u0103p\u0103t\u0103 iar glasul, se puse s\u0103-i spuie c\u00e2t de nedrept se sup\u0103rase el pe ea, c\u00e2t de copil\u0103reasc\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 temei fusese cearta lor \u0219i c\u00e2t suferise ea de lipsa lui.<\/p>\n

…Se zb\u0103teau de mult unul \u00een bra\u021bele altuia, c\u00e2nd se auzi porti\u021ba tr\u00e2ntit\u0103: sosea p\u0103rintele c\u0103lare. Am\u00e2ndoi r\u0103maser\u0103 nemi\u0219ca\u021bi. C\u0103l\u0103torul desc\u0103lic\u0103, lu\u0103 \u0219aua \u0219i dete drumul calului s\u0103 pasc\u0103… De departe, din fundul gr\u0103dinii unde erau ei, se v\u0103zu fereastra de la odaia b\u0103tr\u00e2nului lumin\u00e2ndu-se.<\/p>\n

“S\u0103 \u0219tie el c\u0103 sunt aici, zise Ileana r\u00e2z\u00e2nd \u00eenfundat \u0219i str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-se ca de team\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 Mitu, m-ar omor\u00ee!”<\/p>\n

Preotul stinsese lumina \u0219i se tr\u00e2ntise pe pat s\u0103-\u0219i adune g\u00e2ndurile \u0219i s\u0103 fac\u0103 un plan nou, alt\u0103 socoteal\u0103.<\/p>\n

De\u0219i obosit de at\u00e2ta drum c\u0103lare, de-at\u00e2tea, \u0219-at\u00e2tea; nu putea adormi… \u00cencet-\u00eencet \u00eens\u0103 p-aci s\u0103 a\u021bipeasc\u0103. Era tocmai s\u0103 p\u0103\u0219easc\u0103 hotarul fericit dincolo de care g\u00e2ndurile scap\u0103 din \u0219tirea noastr\u0103 ca s\u0103 alerge \u0219i s\u0103-\u0219i \u021bop\u0103ie libere dan\u021burile bizare…<\/p>\n

…El s\u0103ri \u00een sus.<\/p>\n

…Umbl\u0103 cineva p\u00e2n curte… O u\u0219\u0103 se deschise \u0219i se-nchise \u00een casele din fa\u021b\u0103 ale fie-sii… Vorb\u0103 tainic\u0103!… B\u0103tr\u00e2nul ie\u0219i repede… Nimic… S-auzea numai prin r\u0103coarea nop\u021bii ron\u021b\u0103iala calului\u2026 Fusese o p\u0103rere bolnav\u0103… Ocoli \u00eemprejurul caselor… Iar nimic… Bezn\u0103… Nici o mi\u0219care…<\/p>\n

B\u0103tu la fereastra Ileanii… \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103… mai tare… tare de tot… Nici un r\u0103spuns…<\/p>\n

…S\u0103 sparg\u0103 u\u0219a! Se duse, lu\u0103 toporul \u0219i se-ntoarse, dar c\u00e2nd pip\u0103i s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 clan\u021ba, dete cu m\u00e2na de verig\u0103: era pus\u0103 \u0219i \u00eencuiat\u0103 cu lac\u0103tul… Nimeni!… Cu capul gol, cu pletele-i cenu\u0219ii desf\u0103cute \u0219i l\u0103sate-n voia v\u00e2ntului, b\u0103tr\u00e2nul ie\u0219i pe poart\u0103 \u00een goana mare… La \u0219coal\u0103 \u00eencuiat cu lac\u0103tul… \u00cend\u0103r\u0103t!… Era lumin\u0103 la Ileana; se dezbr\u0103ca s\u0103 se culce… \u00cenapoi!… La \u0219coal\u0103 lumin\u0103!<\/p>\n

El sui dintr-un pas cele trei trepte ale prispii \u0219i se uit\u0103 pe fereastr\u0103: Mitu sta la mas\u0103 cu capul rezemat pe m\u00e2n\u0103… Frumuse\u021bea\u00a0<\/span>t\u00e2n\u0103rului, privirile lui pierdute cine \u0219tie unde, aerul extatic care-i lumina capul \u00eencremenir\u0103 pe omul de afar\u0103: acesta-\u0219i acoperi ochii s\u0103 nu mai vaz\u0103 sp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103toarea icoan\u0103. O clip\u0103 stete a\u0219a, apoi b\u0103tu hot\u0103r\u00e2t \u00een u\u0219\u0103, intr\u0103 desfigurat, se \u00eenfipse \u00een prag \u0219i izbucni:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ce ai tu cu mine? ce? om f\u0103r\u0103 suflet, f\u0103r\u0103 lege \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 Dumnezeu!… Nu r\u0103spunzi… ai?… Te-am str\u00e2ns dup\u0103 drumuri, te-am \u00eenc\u0103lzit la s\u00e2nul meu; \u0219i tu vrei necinstea casei mele! tu vrei s\u0103 m\u0103 omori pe mine? Ce r\u0103u \u021bi-am f\u0103cut eu \u021bie? Cu ce \u021bi-am gre\u0219it? Spune: s\u0103 m\u0103 c\u0103iesc \u0219i s\u0103 m\u0103 ier\u021bi!… Iart\u0103-m\u0103!… Fie-\u021bi mil\u0103 de un biet p\u0103c\u0103tos de b\u0103tr\u00e2n… Mitule, copilul meu!…<\/p>\n

\u0218i b\u0103tr\u00e2nul cu p\u0103rul despletit se t\u00e2ra \u00een genunchi \u0219i lupta s\u0103-i apuce \u0219i s\u0103-i s\u0103rute m\u00e2inile cu zorul…<\/p>\n

\u2013 P\u0103rinte! zise t\u00e2n\u0103rul tremur\u00e2nd \u0219i c\u0103ut\u00e2nd s\u0103-\u0219i scape m\u00e2inile. Tu s\u0103 m\u0103 ier\u021bi pe mine… Iart\u0103-m\u0103!… Eu nu uit ce-ai fost pentru mine: nu voi s\u0103-\u021bi fac nici un r\u0103u, nici o ru\u0219ine. Ea nu mai poate tr\u0103i cu b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u… ea dac\u0103 se desparte, eu… o iau.<\/p>\n

\u2013 S-o iei tu?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Da, eu; nu mai poci tr\u0103i f\u0103r\u0103 ea…<\/p>\n

\u2013 Omule, \u021bi-e sor\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u2013 Pentru c\u0103 m-ai crescut.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nu!… \u021bi-e sor\u0103 bun\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cum?<\/p>\n

\u2013 Tu e\u0219ti copilul meu adev\u0103rat… Carnea mea!<\/p>\n

\u2013 P\u0103rinte… vrei s\u0103 m\u0103 am\u0103ge\u0219ti…<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nu, nu te am\u0103gesc… Am gre\u0219it… am p\u0103c\u0103tuit, \u0219i Dumnezeu a vrut s\u0103 m\u0103 bat\u0103, \u0219i te-a trimis pe tine s\u0103 m\u0103 ba\u021bi… Trebuia de mult s\u0103-\u021bi spui taina asta: erai t\u00e2n\u0103r \u0219i eu eram duhovnic… m\u0103 puteam eu spovedi unui copil?… Dar at\u00e2ta dragoste c\u00e2t\u0103 \u021bi-am purtat eu \u021bie… niciodat\u0103 n-ai \u00een\u021beles, n-ai b\u0103nuit m\u0103car c\u0103 eu \u00ee\u021bi sunt tat\u0103 cu adev\u0103rat?… Pentru c\u0103 n-ai \u00een\u021beles, iac\u0103-t\u0103 viu eu, duhovnicul, la tine \u0219i m\u0103 spovedesc \u021bie \u0219i te rog: nu-mi l\u0103sa sufletul \u00een frica de moarte!… Dac\u0103 sim\u021bi c\u0103 nu po\u021bi birui p\u0103catul care te t\u00e2r\u0103\u0219te, pleac\u0103, fugi departe: aici e iad \u0219i pentru tine \u0219i pentru ea \u0219i pentru mine!… S\u0103 \u0219tiu eu numai unde e\u0219ti… Las\u0103… \u021bie o s\u0103-\u021bi treac\u0103… o s\u0103\u00a0<\/span>te-nsori cu o fat\u0103 frumoas\u0103… o s\u0103 ai copii… Las\u0103 tot aici… \u0219i vine taic\u0103-t\u0103u bun s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 tine \u0219i s\u0103 moar\u0103 fericit, f\u0103r\u0103 buba asta grozav\u0103 care-mi roade inima!<\/p>\n

B\u0103tr\u00e2nul se opri pentru c\u0103 nu mai putea. Mitu ascultase galben. F\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 r\u0103spunz\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na preotului, care-l str\u00e2nse ca \u0219i odinioar\u0103 la piept stropindu-i capul cu lacrimi bogate \u0219i calde.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Acu m\u0103 duc, taic\u0103, zise el; m\u0103 duc!<\/p>\n

\u0218i se duse.<\/p>\n

De dou\u0103 zile… Acu e a treia noapte de c\u00e2nd p\u0103r\u0103sita anin\u0103 la fereastr\u0103 semnul \u0219tiut, \u0219tergarul \u00eennodat, degeaba… nu vine. Ea geme \u00een chinurile a\u0219tept\u0103rii, nesiguran\u021bii, dezn\u0103dejdii.<\/p>\n

Bolnav printre str\u0103ini?… R\u0103pus?… Cu alt\u0103 femeie?…<\/p>\n

S\u0103-l caute? unde… S\u0103 a\u0219tepte? c\u00e2t?… S\u0103 moar\u0103? cum?<\/p>\n

Unde e?… Unde?<\/p>\n

E aici foarte aproape… Se-ntoarce din dep\u0103rt\u0103ri la locul lui… El a cugetat at\u00e2ta vreme pe drumuri, \u0219i-a ajuns s\u0103 vaz\u0103 c\u0103 nu poate l\u0103sa pe nenorocita \u00een nec\u0103in\u021b\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i zic\u0103 o vorb\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi \u00eempreun\u0103 p\u0103catul s\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219it din ne\u0219tiin\u021b\u0103… Dar dac\u0103 preotul, pentru cuvinte de bigotism sau eresuri sociale, o fi inventat o poveste de fantazie?… Cald\u0103 speran\u021b\u0103! dragostea lui atunci n-ar fi neiertat\u0103!… Dar dac\u0103 ar fi adev\u0103rat?… Ei, \u0219i? La urma urmei el stric\u0103?… Ea? Soarta!… \u0218i de aci o \u00eentreag\u0103 filosofie p\u0103g\u00e2n\u0103, \u00een fa\u021ba c\u0103reia orice e o inven\u021bie e eres, supersti\u021bie orice credin\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n

A\u0219a filosof\u00e2nd a s\u0103rit p\u00e2rleazul \u0219i trage cu urechea… Nu poate p\u0103\u0219i \u00eenainte… i-e fric\u0103… Un moment voie\u0219te s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 plece… acu pentru totdeauna… Pune piciorul pe p\u00e2rleaz… Dar se socote\u0219te mai bine… Coboar\u0103 iar \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t \u0219i st\u0103 \u021bintuit pe loc… St\u0103 pe loc de mult \u00eentre dou\u0103 c\u0103i, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 poat\u0103 intra nici pe una: trebuie t\u00e2r\u00e2t ca s\u0103 se urneasc\u0103… \u0219i are s\u0103 fie t\u00e2r\u00e2t.<\/p>\n

Lumina de la fereastra p\u0103rintelui s-a stins. T\u00e2n\u0103rul las\u0103 s\u0103 mai treac\u0103 timp apoi face un pas \u00eentr-o parte ca sa vaz\u0103 dac\u0103 la Ileana e aprins… Nu e… Se apropie bini\u0219or.\u00a0<\/span>C\u00e2inele \u00eencepe s\u0103 latre… Omul \u00eel cheam\u0103 \u0219optit pe nume; animalul se gudur\u0103 \u0219i se potole\u0219te… Acum s-aprinde iar lumina la b\u0103tr\u00e2nul. T\u00e2n\u0103rul se retrage l\u00e2ng\u0103 p\u00e2rleaz. Preotul iese… merge la poart\u0103… se-ntoarce, \u0219i Mitu \u00eel vede cum trece prin b\u0103taia luminii de la fereastr\u0103 \u0219i se-ndreapt\u0103 dup\u0103 c\u00e2ine, ca dup\u0103 o c\u0103l\u0103uz\u0103, cercet\u00e2nd fundul gr\u0103dinii. U\u0219or, \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103torul trece afar\u0103 peste gard \u0219i se pitul\u0103 \u00een dosul crucii mari de sub deal, la r\u0103sp\u00e2ntie… C\u00e2inele sare \u0219i el \u0219i vine s\u0103 dea din coad\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cruce… Preotul se-ntoarce \u00een cas\u0103 \u0219i stinge iar lumina. A \u00eenceput acu o lupt\u0103 a\u0219a de-ncordat\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eentre zv\u00e2cnelile repezi ale inimii nu mai \u00eencape nici un moment pentru c\u0103in\u021b\u0103… C\u00e2inele, gonit, ia drumul de ocol; omul sare \u00eenapoi \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103… Ce face femeia? S\u0103 fie b\u0103rbatul acas\u0103? Nu e probabil… c\u0103ru\u021ba nu e-n \u0219opron \u0219i-n grajd nici un zgomot… Lumin\u0103 deodat\u0103 la fereastra Ileanii… \u0219tergarul \u00eennodat… \u00ceI a\u0219teapt\u0103. Inima-n din\u021bi!… \u0219i freac\u0103 cu m\u00e2na pe u\u0219\u0103 foarte discret.<\/p>\n

Un \u021bip\u0103t n\u0103bu\u0219it \u00een\u0103untru… Ileana sufl\u0103-n lum\u00e2nare \u0219i iese. Tremur\u0103 scuturat\u0103 din r\u0103runchi de friguri… Ea \u00eel t\u00e2r\u0103\u0219te \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 la locul \u0219tiut, unde de-at\u00e2ta vreme a\u0219teapt\u0103 velin\u021ba \u00eentins\u0103. Femeia se aca\u021b\u0103 de g\u00e2tul lui… El o str\u00e2nge-n bra\u021be cu putere \u0219i d\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i apropie buzele de ale ei… dar \u00eel cuprinde un fior de groaz\u0103 \u0219-o \u00eempinge departe.<\/p>\n

Acum porne\u0219te potopul ei de vorbe – jur\u0103minte, blesteme f\u0103r\u0103 \u0219ir, dar pline de \u00een\u021beles; b\u0103nuieli de necredin\u021b\u0103… teama de sa\u021biu… amenin\u021b\u0103ri de crim\u0103 \u0219i sinucidere… pl\u00e2nsete \u0219i rug\u0103ciuni de milostivire. El r\u0103teaz\u0103 grav cuv\u00e2ntarea ei monstruoas\u0103… \u0219i spune tot, tot… Ea r\u0103m\u00e2ne-nt\u00e2i \u00eenlemnit\u0103… apoi \u00eencepe s\u0103 r\u00e2z\u0103 \u00eenecat \u0219i din ce \u00een ce mai nervos \u0219i mai nervos, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd izbucne\u0219te cu hohot \u0219i, lovindu-l brutal peste bra\u021bul v\u00e2njos, pe care i-l apuc\u0103 \u0219i-l strive\u0219te sub degete:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Prostule! A r\u00e2s de tine!… Ai crezut? Nu-i adev\u0103rat! Minte!<\/p>\n

\u0218i se n\u0103puste\u0219te asupra lui \u0219i-l \u00eengenuche jos la p\u0103m\u00e2nt…<\/span><\/p>\n

O spr\u00e2ncean\u0103 alburie se ive\u0219te pe coama dealului de c\u0103tre r\u0103s\u0103rit… Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 crucea din r\u0103sp\u00e2ntie sc\u00e2r\u021b\u00e2ie roatele c\u0103ru\u021belor ce pleac\u0103 din vreme s\u0103 nu le ajung\u0103 z\u0103duful pe drum… Mitu tresare din somn.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Se face ziu\u0103, Ileano! scoal\u0103 degrab!<\/p>\n

Sprinceana alb\u0103 cre\u0219te \u0219i alte roate venind din deal la vale se aud apropi\u00e2ndu-se… o doin\u0103 din frunz\u0103, c\u00e2ntec de drume\u021b f\u0103r\u0103 griji… \u0219i vorb\u0103… T\u00e2n\u0103rul ridic\u0103 femeia de jos \u0219-o ajut\u0103, cum era ame\u021bit\u0103, s\u0103 ajung\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la u\u0219a casii…<\/p>\n

E grea desp\u0103r\u021birea… O s\u0103 fie chiar peste putin\u021b\u0103!<\/p>\n

…B\u0103tr\u00e2nul a dormit r\u0103u: b\u0103t\u0103ile inimii l-au de\u0219teptat prea de multe ori… Se ridic\u0103 n\u0103bu\u0219it din pat; \u00eei trebuie aer: merge s\u0103 deschiz\u0103 fereastra, d\u0103 perdelu\u021ba \u00eentr-o parte, \u0219i i se n\u0103z\u0103re\u0219te c\u0103 vede-n pragul din fa\u021b\u0103 dou\u0103 umbre albe ce vor parc\u0103 s\u0103 se topeasc\u0103 una-ntr-alta… Se \u0219terge la ochi \u0219i se uit\u0103 mai bine… Da!… Ia pu\u0219ca din cui \u0219i iese-n prag:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cine-i?<\/p>\n

O flac\u0103r\u0103 ro\u0219cat\u0103, un trosnet, la care r\u0103spunde \u00eemprelung deal dup\u0103 deal – Mitu a picat fulgerat.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Ce-ai f\u0103cut, nebunule?! r\u0103cne\u0219te femeia \u0219i porne\u0219te un pas.<\/p>\n

A doua \u021beav\u0103! Ileana cade \u00een genunchi… se zbucium\u0103 \u00een zadar s\u0103 se scoale… Vrea s\u0103 strige… o g\u00e2lg\u00e2itur\u0103 de s\u00e2nge o podide\u0219te pe gur\u0103… Se moaie de la junghietur\u0103 \u0219i t\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-se c\u00e2t colo, se a\u0219eaz\u0103 de-a binelea.<\/p>\n

Popa arunc\u0103 jos pu\u0219ca, a c\u0103rei guri tot fumeg\u0103 mirosul nec\u0103cios de silitr\u0103… Trece gardul, suie \u00een clopotni\u021b\u0103, se at\u00e2rn\u0103 cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile de funiile de tei \u0219i-ncepe s\u0103 le smuceasc\u0103 cu o \u00eenalt\u0103 energie: cele trei clopote mici \u0219i s\u0103race se pornesc deodat\u0103 s\u0103 \u021bipe \u0219i s\u0103 se vaiete cu o jale nebuneasc\u0103…<\/p>\n

Se str\u00e2nge mult\u0103 lume.<\/p>\n

Popa ia de m\u00e2n\u0103 pe Cu\u021biteiu \u0219i porne\u0219te urmat de ob\u0219tea satului. El merge cu to\u021bi la locul unde zac cei doi copii nenoroci\u021bi… Spr\u00e2nceana mic\u0103 alburie c\u00e2t\u0103 vreme s-au jelit clopotele s-a f\u0103cut trandafirie \u0219i mare.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Eu i-am \u00eempu\u0219cat, zice b\u0103tr\u00e2nul lini\u0219tit… \u00cent\u00e2i pe el \u0219i pe urm\u0103 pe ea… Da, eu!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0218i se-ntoarce s\u0103-i priveasc\u0103… Ileana a adormit, str\u00e2ng\u00e2nd \u00een bra\u021be genunchii lui frate-s\u0103u… Popa se apleac\u0103 la ea:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nu a\u0219a, c\u0103\u021bea! zice el z\u00e2mbind crud… Nu a\u0219a, c\u0103-i p\u0103cat!<\/p>\n

\u0218i descle\u0219t\u00e2ndu-i m\u00e2inile calde \u00eenc\u0103, o d\u0103 greoi mai la o parte… A zburat \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it sur\u00e2sul \u00een\u021belept de pe chipul prietenului Cu\u021biteiu… Omul \u00ee\u0219i acopere proste\u0219te buzele \u00eenvine\u021bite cu o m\u00e2n\u0103, cu alta ochii uzi… To\u021bi stau cu capul gol… Nici o suflare…<\/p>\n

Popa se ridic\u0103, se-ntoarce spre mul\u021bime cu privirea \u021bint\u0103 \u0219i-nfrico\u0219at de-ngrijat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Inima!… zice el. I…! \u0219i se culc\u0103 s\u0103 doarm\u0103 somnu-\u0103l bun l\u00e2ng\u0103 copiii s\u0103i.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

P\u0102CAT… I Un b\u0103ietan voinic \u2014 barba de-abia-i mije\u0219te, \u0219i sub c\u0103ciul\u0103 de oaie p\u0103rul cre\u021b \u0219i des… \u0219i ni\u0219te ochi bl\u00e2nzi \u2014 \u0219i mintos t\u00e2n\u0103r. C\u00e2nd a plecat de acas\u0103 s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la Bucure\u0219ti p-at\u00e2\u021bia ani \u00een \u0219coli, mama lui \u2014 de treab\u0103 femeie! \u2014 l-a s\u0103rutat de-at\u00e2tea ori, i-a potrivit p\u0103rul, i-a netezit […]<\/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-335","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\/335","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=335"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":336,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335\/revisions\/336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}