Ariadne in the Grotesque Labyrinth (Catalan Literature) by Salvador Espriu Page B

yourself with the sacristan, so that when Father Apagallums arrives he can execute the blessing of union for us with, I hope, a quick benediction for two and a half pessetes , for when you go stiff, and I don ’ t want to remove more than half of my black cloth. »
    « Wicked, both of you. Coerce your consciences free. Let me go to the ground in peace. »
    « Doing so little you ’ d end up fine, you dummy. »
    « I don ’ t believe in anything, Ventura. You, on the other hand, scoffed at the cause. »
    « A feeling touched and softened me. I saved myself. If you prepare yourself now to be purged, I can accomplish the same for you. You ’ ll hit it in time. »
    « Ventura, you ’ re my friend, but if you get on my nerves I ’ m going to throw a fistful of mud at you. »
    « Give yourself to God, you fool. »
    « I ’ m paying dearly for it, but I don ’ t believe in anything. »
    « This man is not very Spanish. Son, good brother, repent. »
    « Genius. I ’ ve never seen hide nor hair of Andebel: 10 how do you expect me to believe in him? I ’ m standing firm. With a good dose of terror, but firm. »
    Federal ’ s mouth filled with froth. The silhouettes of Rossenda and the sacristan, frightening, lengthening in the half-light, were reflected on the bedroom wall.
    III
    Bam, bam, bam: a few knocks on the door. Rossenda opened it and Pancra ç , the cobbler from the same floor, came in.
    « Excuse me. The woman just now told me that we ’ re maybe not doing too well. »
    « Ai, Cobbler Pancra ç , we ’ re in the final moments. »
    « In the final moments and condemned by God. The man wishes to fester. »
    « Ai, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! »
    That pious exclamation birthed an idea in Ventura ’ s imagination. He asked the cobbler:
    « Do you have principles? »
    « Come on now! »
    « Excellent. I ’ ve thought up a serious piece of comedy to convert Federal. Would you dress up for me as the delegate Patop í ? I invoke you, and you appear in the window. Work for you? For an orchid or two? »
    Rossenda helped:
    « Oh, yes, compatriot cobbler, let ’ s have Father Apagallums find you ready when he arrives. And, also do me the favor of sending one of your canalletes to the rectory. If Father Apagallums is there. Hurry. »
    Being a good fellow, Pancra ç conceded:
    « Well, I can ’ t go to the tavern today anyway, as it ’ s the first of May. I ’ ll be right back. »
    When he left Federal asked:
    « What did Pancra ç say? »
    « Nothing, that he knows an unguent, and is going to look for it. »
    « Ai, ai, I ’ m dying. »
    « Convert, dummy, and cleanse yourself. »
    « Don ’ t come at me with more nonsense, sacristan; enough with the racket. »
    « We ’ re going over this in detail, Federal, which is my duty. Just now you affirmed that you ’ ve never seen a single sad thread of Andebel. If you were to have a peek at one — were it merely a modest representative — would you believe in Him? »
    « Man ú , if it were true, really true, you tell me! »
    « Then I beg that Patop í consider my honor, and the great peril of this pigeon-shit of a soul. Show this inveterate your power and give me the strength to transmit without dilation your real imminence upon the balcony. »
    « Ai, ai, don ’ t make me laugh: I ’ m dying! »
    Rossenda shrieked:
    « Laugh? Look. »
    The balcony opened with a din. A blast of light. The effigy of Patop í , silhouetted in the window. The messenger offered a blessing:
    « Greetings. »
    Scared, Quim Federal screamed:
    « I ’ m trembling, I see, I believe, I want to make peace! »
    « Wait for Father Apagallums, you fool; I have no authority. »
    « I want the reconciliation to be open and out in public. Ai, sinner, federalist, so much nerve: impenitent, how many offenses! I don ’ t know if I ’ ll have time to look deep down inside myself and pour all of them out. And above all, one, Patop í : I ’ ve been having follow-ups with the wife of the cobbler from