Misericordia (Dedalus European Classics) by Galdos Benito Perez
Author:Galdos, Benito Perez [Galdos, Benito Perez]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Dedalus
Published: 2013-05-31T04:00:00+00:00
22
Soon after the two women had returned to where Frasquito lay unconscious, The Weasel entered the room. He was a jaunty, strapping youth, well made, with something of the gypsy in his complexion and features; he was slim-waisted and wore a wide-brimmed hat. On arrival he announced that the “victim” would shortly be moved to the hospital. Benina protested that Ponte’s illness needed treatment at home; he would certainly die in hospital and so it would be better if she took him to her mistress’ house, Doña Francisca Juarez who, although fallen on bad times, was still in a position to carry out the charitable act of taking in her countryman Señor de Ponte, who was indeed, Benina thought, a distant relative of hers. At this point the impecunious gallant came to, recognised his benefactress and kissing her hand, called her “angel” and a host of other things, delighted to find her beside him. La Pitusa, with an imperious gesture followed by a kick, sent the two harpies back on duty in the street outside the front door of the house. The Weasel returned to his business downstairs and when Benina and La Pitusa were alone with poor Ponte, they dressed him in his frock coat and overcoat in order to get him ready for departure.
“Now, between ourselves, Don Frasquito,” said Benina, “tell me why you didn’t do what I told you to.”
“What was that, dear lady?”
“I told you to give the peseta to La Bernarda for the rent you owed her. Did you perhaps spend the peseta on something you needed, such as gum for your moustache? If so, I have nothing to say.”
“No, not on cosmetics, I swear,” said Frasquito in a weak voice, pronouncing the words with great difficulty. “I spent it, I mean I had to – I just had to – get a copy – of a photograph.” He fumbled in the pocket of his overcoat, and from amongst crumpled letters and papers he extracted one which he unfolded, revealing a photographic portrait, the size of an ordinary postcard.
“Who is this dame?” asked La Pitusa, snatching it from him to examine it. “She’s certainly pretty.”
“I wanted,” Frasquito went on, reviving as he spoke, “to show Obdulia how exactly she resembled…”
“But this isn’t a portrait of the child,” said Benina, examining it. “It’s not unlike her in the shape of the face, but it’s not her.”
“Tell me, is it like her or not? I think it’s identical, as if they were twins.”
“But who is it?”
“Empress Eugenie, can’t you see? Only Laurent’s stock them and they wouldn’t let me have it for less than a peseta. I just had to get it to show Obdulia the likeness.”
“Don Frasquito, by the Blessed Virgin, do you really expect me to believe that you wasted that peseta on buying a portrait?”
The impecunious gentleman remained unconvinced, and putting the card away carefully he buttoned up his overcoat and tried to stand up; this he found such a complicated business that he had to give it up, owing to the extreme weakness of his legs, which were as thin as drumsticks.
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