Capitu (2008) s01e04 Episode Script
Episode 4
EXPLANATION That night I slept badly.
The next morning, I had a headache and pretended to be indisposed, so as not to go to the seminary so I could speak to Capitu.
She might be angry with me, not want me and prefer the dandy rider.
Wanted to settle everything.
Hear her out.
That's outrageous, Bento! I can't believe this after our oaths And judge her.
I don't know him, all I know is he passes here in the afternoon, like so many others.
And if I did look at him it's just proof there's nothing between us.
If there were, I'd try to deceive you.
And in any case, he's going to be married.
He's getting married? With a girl from Barbonos Street.
Oh really? But to avoid further trouble, shall stop going to the window.
ONE SECRET FOR ANOTHER I was thinking of coming to visit you if you delayed another day.
-Are you all right? -Yes.
You seem so distracted.
You should disguise it.
I too am distracted but I keep myself in check.
So I seem Yes, sometimes you don't listen, gazing into nothing.
Disguise it, Santiago.
I have my reasons.
I doubt anyone becomes distracted for no reason.
Escobar What is it? You're my friend, and I'm your friend too.
And here at the seminary you're the person who has most penetrated my heart.
Outside, apart from my family, I don't really have a friend.
If I said the same thing it wouldn't sound right as if I was just repeating you.
But I don't care about that.
Can you keep a secret? If you ask it is because you doubt it, and in that case I'm sorry, it's just an expression.
I know how honest you are I'll pretend I'm confessing to a priest.
If you need absolution, you have it.
Escobar, I'm here but I cannot become a priest.
My people believe it and expect it, but I cannot become a priest.
- Nor can I, Santiago.
- You too? A secret for a secret.
I also have no intention of finishing the course.
I want to go into commerce, but say absolutely nothing this must remain between us.
It's not that I'm not religious.
I am, but commerce is my passion.
Is that all? What else could be? A person? It must be a girl.
You cannot imagine the pleasure confiding in him gave me.
It was as an additional happiness.
That young man's heart who heard me, said I was right.
And I didn't tell him everything, nor even the best part.
I didn't mention the combing episode, for example.
Needless to say we returned to the subject again and again.
Many times.
I praised Capitu's moral qualities.
I didn't touch on her physical graces, nor did he ask about them.
I merely insinuated how favorable it was to know her by sight.
Now it won't be possible, Capitu will spend a few days with a friend in Inválidos Street.
When she comes, you can go.
But you can go before, always.
Everyone at home liked you very much.
And I liked everyone, but one must make a distinction.
I confess that your mother is an adorable lady.
Isn't she? Yes, my mother was adorable.
Although she was forcing me into a career I didn't wish I couldn't but sense how adorable she was.
Like a saint.
It so happened that my absence was soon tempered by Capitu's devotion.
My mother gradually became convinced that the young lady would make me happy.
Capitu was the angel in the Scripture.
Capitu became the flower of the house, the morning sunshine, the afternoon breeze, the moon at night.
My mother felt her heart, examined her eyes and my name lay between them like a key to a future life.
A WORD And why not go and see her? Didn't you tell me that Sancha's father offered you his house? Yes.
If that's what you want.
Capitu should have returned today to finish some work with me.
I'm sure her friend asked to stay the night.
Maybe you'll become sweethearts.
I didn't kill her because I had no iron bar nor rope to hand, no pistol nor dagger.
But the glance I gave her if it could kill, would have resolved the matter.
One of Providence's mistakes was to give man only arms and teeth as weapons of attack, and legs as weapons of escape or defense.
Our eyes should be enough.
Cousin Justina escaped mine.
I didn't escape the effects of insinuation and on Sunday I hurried to Inválidos Street.
-Sancha asked you to come.
-Is she worse? No, sir, but she wishes to speak to you.
Stay here for a while.
This is Sancha's nurse she won't have another.
I'll be right back.
Is it really you? THE COUCH Of all the items of furniture only the couch appeared to understand our situation.
That's my opinion: the couch brings together intimacy and decorum two men sitting together may debate the destiny of the empire, and two women the grace of a dress.
But a man and a women, by an aberration in the laws of nature, will speak of nothing but themselves.
Which is what we did.
I vaguely recall asking her if she would be staying long there.
long there.
I don't know, the fever seems to be receding, but I also recall, vaguely, that I explained my visit to her with the utmost truth, that is, that my mother had suggested it.
Your mother? Then we shall be happy! We'll be happy, Capitu, we'll be happy! Sancha is asking for you, Capitu.
THE PORTRAI - Has her fever worsened? - No.
Send my regards to your mother and cousin Justina.
See you soon.
All my feelings of envy went with her.
How could Capitu control herself so well She's a young lady.
but not I? Now I saw her more often.
Each time I thought her taller and fuller.
Her eyes seemed to have a new reflection, and her mouth Is it really you? Another empire.
Bento, do you think Capitu is like this portrait? It's of my deceased wife.
People who knew her say the same thing.
Her features are similar, especially her forehead and the eyes.
As for the spirit, they're like sisters.
Even her friendship with Sancha.
Her mother was such a friend to her.
In life there are such strange similarities.
CALLED Bento! Bento! Do you know my son Manduca died? -Died? -Died half an hour ago, to be buried tomorrow.
I sent word to your mother, and she did me the kindness of sending a few flowers for the coffin.
My poor son! Want to see him? Come on, see him, please.
Saying this isn't easy but I'd rather sin through excess than too little.
I wanted to reply that I didn't want to see Manduca and even made a move to get away.
It wasn't fear, perhaps on another occasion I'd have gone in with ease, out of curiosity, but now I was so content! To see a dead body on your way back from your girlfriend.
Some things just don't go together.
I don't blame the man.
To him, the most important thing right then was his son.
But don't blame me, either.
To me, the most important thing was Capitu.
The problem was, the two matters converged in the same afternoon and the death of one came putting its nose in the other.
If I'd passed by earlier or later, if Manduca had waited a few hours.
Why die precisely half an hour ago? Any time is suitable for death, one can die perfectly well at six or seven o'clock in the afternoon.
I let my body do whatever it could and it ended up going in.
A FRIEND FOR A DEAD BODY A friend can make up for a dead body.
For around 5 minutes Escobar held my hand in his as if he hadn't seen me for months.
Will you dine with us? That is what I came for.
The last time you were sick and I didn't get the chance to praise your great qualities For the great education you gave my good friend Santiago.
Escobar insisted with his fine manners, the good examples the sweet and rare mother heaven had given me.
Too kind.
I was just as content, as if Escobar had been my own invention.
It's true.
At the seminary, everyone, priests, colleagues everyone only want the best for your son.
You've found the kindest of friends, Bento.
Utterly polite! Kind or not, let's hurry with this compote and to backgammon! And cousin Justina couldn't find a single defect.
Later, yes, on the second or third Sunday she came and confessed that my friend Escobar was rather haughty and had policeman's eyes which missed nothing! They're just his eyes, cousin Justina.
I'm not saying they're anyone else's.
They're thoughtful eyes.
Certainly.
However, there may be some truth in what Dona Justina says.
One doesn't contradict the other.
Thoughtfulness goes perfectly well with curiosity.
He seems curious, certainly, but To me he seems to be a very serious young man.
Precisely! Your mother is a fine looking lady, so youthful.
What age must she be? Over 40.
Not possible! Forty years old? She doesn't look 30! She looks so young and pretty.
No wonder God gave you such fine eyes.
Has she been a widow for long? ARITHMETIC IDEAS There are useless letters and dispensable ones.
What's the difference between "d" and "t"? They have almost the same sound.
the same with b and p the same with k and g Mistakes of calligraphy.
Now take numbers: no two provide the same service.
4 is 4, 7 is 7.
And just admire the beauty with which a 4 and a 7 together form this thing expressed as 11 .
Now double it and you'll have 22.
But the zero, the zero has an even greater perfection.
The value of zero is, by itself, nothing but the job of this negative sign is actually to increase.
A 5 alone is just a 5.
Add two zeros, you'll have 500.
So that which is worth nothing can make something be worth a great deal, not the case with double letters.
One "p" or two make no difference.
For instance, give me a bunch of numbers I didn't know and have no way of knowing.
Give me the number of your mother's houses and the rents of each and if I can't add them up in two, in one minute, then hang me! I'll take the bet! Consider that there were no fewer than 9 houses and that the rents varied from 70 to 180 thousand réis.
It all adds up to 1 conto and 70 mil réis a month! All this I'd spend 3 or 4 minutes working out on paper on paper and Escobar did it in his head.
Right? Easily.
This proves that arithmetical ideas are simpler and therefore more natural.
Nature is simple.
Art is clumsy.
Escobar discreetly squeezed my hand so strongly that my fingers hurt to this day.
That's just an illusion, I'm sure, it must be the effect of the long endless hours I've been sitting writing.
Let us rest the pen for a few moments.
THE POPE Now it's certain, you'll soon be out of the seminary.
Wait till tomorrow.
The idea is so saintly that no sanctuary can resist it.
Tomorrow, Bento.
But is it certain? Utterly certain! He revealed a mystery to me.
According to him, my mother regretted what she did, and wanted me out of there but understood that the vow's moral bond held her irredeemably to it.
So the two of us would go to Rome to appeal to the Pope for absolution.
What do you think? I say no more, for the chapter must be finished but he didn't finish the speech, saw my mother's relieved soul I saw Capitu's happy soul.
You'll forget me completely.
- Never! - You'll forget.
If Capitu thought it too far, I wouldn't go.
They say Europe is so pretty, and especially Italy.
Isn't that where the soprano singers come from? I had to listen to her.
Is there no other way? Dona Glória is anxious for you to leave the seminary.
Yes, but she thinks she is trapped by the vow.
Swear that if you go you'll return in six months? I swear.
-By God's name? -By God's name, by everything.
I swear that in six months I'll be back.
What if the Pope hasn't yet released you? I'll say he has.
And what if you lie? A SUBSTITUTE I believe in you, in your oath.
But perhaps there is another solution.
Think about it.
And Escobar.
No, Bento.
Your mother made a vow to give God a priest, right? Then give Him a priest other than yourself.
She could very well take in a little orphan boy have him ordained at her expense and a priest will be given to the altar, without your having I understand! That's right! Consult the protonotary.
He'll say whether it comes to the same thing I'll consult him myself.
And if he hesitates, speak to the bishop.
Yes, that must be it.
Truly, the vow is fulfilled there be no loss of priest.
On the economic side it is easy, your mother would spend the same as on you, an orphan would require the same comfort.
She has a good income.
One conto and seventy thousand réis There is no other solution.
-And we get out together.
-You too? Yes.
I'm going to improve my Latin and then leave.
Forget theology.
Even Latin, what use will that be in commerce? In hoc signo vinces.
Under this symbol ye shall triumph! THE DEPARTURE My mother hesitated a little, but yielded in the end after Father Cabral, who consulted the bishop came back and told her it could be.
I left the seminary at the end of the year.
I was then just over 17.
I turned 18, 19, 20, 21.
At 22 I was a law graduate.
Everything around me changed.
My mother decided to age.
Even so her hair only turned gray reluctantly.
Uncle Cosme had heart trouble and cousin Justina was just older.
José Dias too, but not enough to miss coming to see me graduate and drive down the mountains with me jolly and affectionate as if he were the graduate.
Capitu's mother had died, and her father had retired.
Escobar began trading coffee.
Cousin Justina was of the opinion that he was toying with the idea of asking my mother to remarry.
But if he did have such an idea, one mustn't forget the great difference in age.
Our separation didn't cool our friendship Escobar was the third party in the correspondence between me and Capitu.
Ever since he saw her he encouraged me greatly in our love.
And Escobar married guess who? He married the lovely Sancha, Capitu's friend, almost sister, in fact once writing to me, she called her "your little sister-in-law".
Thus are affections and relationships formed and adventures and books.
My little Bento! This is your son! Son, this is your mother! Brother Cosme, look.
Isn't he just like his father? Yes, there really is something in the eyes, his facial features.
He's his father, a little more modern.
Now tell me, sister Glória, wasn't it better that he insisted on not becoming a priest? This rascal would never make an able priest.
Bento! Dr.
Bento Santiago! My mother kissed me with a tenderness I can hardly describe.
Uncle Cosme, to cheer her up, called me "Doctor" as did José Dias and everyone at the house, the cousin, slaves.
THOU SHALT BE HAPPY, BENTO Thou shalt be happy, Bento.
- And why wouldn't you be happy? - Did you hear? Hear what? A voice saying I'd be happy? That's good! You yourself said it.
I could still swear it was the voice of a fairy.
Naturally fairies, expelled from tales and verses have penetrated our hearts and now speak from within.
This one I hear clearly and distinctly.
She must be a cousin of the Witches of Scotland: Thou shalt be king, Macbeth! "Thou shalt be happy, Bento.
" After all, it's the same prophecy the same Universal and Eternal air.
You should be happy, you deserve it, as you deserved this diploma.
And happiness isn't just glory, it's also something else.
Oh! You didn't confide everything to José Dias! Poor José Dias is cast aside, a spent force, worth nothing.
Now it is the young, the Escobars well, anyway the old also know how to love.
But what is it? How do you mean? That intimacy of neighbors had to end up like this, which is truly a blessing from heaven.
For she's an angel, an utter angel.
Why is it she didn't also tell me what the others knew and which is fully known and approved here at home? Mother really approves? Quite so.
We have spoken about it and she was kind enough to ask my opinion.
I told her I couldn't wish for a finer daughter-in-law kind, discreet, well-mannered, our friend.
And a woman of the house.
Since her mother's death, she has taken care of everything.
Pádua, now he's retired receives his pension and hands it over to his daughter.
It is Capitu who pays the bills, draws up the list of expenses takes care of provisions, everything! And what about her good looks? Ah, mon Dieu you know better than anyone.
Has mother consulted you about our marriage? Not exactly, but she did ask whether Capitu would make a good wife.
It was I, in my answer, who spoke of a daughter-in-law.
Dona Glória didn't contradict me and even looked amused.
Thou shalt be happy, Bento! -Thou shalt be happy, Bento! -Thou shalt be happy, Bento! My mother, some weeks later when I went to ask her permission to marry, as well as her consent, pronounced the same prophecy.
You shall be happy, my son! A mother's own version.
Then let us all be happy, before the reader comes to his senses dead from waiting.
We were married! It was in 1865, on a March afternoon.
In fact it was raining.
When we got up to Alto da Tijuca which was where our newly-weds' nest was the sky gathered in the rain and lit the stars.
Not only the familiar ones, but those which would only be discovered many centuries from now.
IN HEAVEN Ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold but let it be the hidden man of the heart.
I sit in the shadow of that which I had so much desired.
Rest, for I shall not attempt a description.
Not even the human tongue has sufficient apt forms.
It is true that Capitu told me that I was the only lace and only adornment she would wear.
To which I responded that my spouse would always have the finest lace in the world.
No external sign revealed the march of time.
Thus was our week in Tijuca.
A MARRIED WOMAN Sometimes we returned to the past and enjoyed recalling sad times and calamities.
What is it? I enjoy recalling our teenage years I was remembering José Dias.
He conspired against our union and in the end celebrated our bond.
All began with his accusation.
When will we go back to town? Have you already grown tired of me? - Me? - It would appear so.
You always have to be such a child, Bento.
So I've waited so many years to grow tired in 7 days? No, Bento, I said that because I think perhaps the others might like to see us and be wondering if we're ill and I confess that, for my part, I'd like to see father.
- Then we'll go tomorrow.
- No! The weather must be cloudy.
Once or twice, we spoke of returning but the mornings were always either rainy or sunny and we waited for a cloudy day, which refused to appear.
Then we'll go tomorrow.
No.
The weather must be cloudy.
But our impatience continued, and we returned on a sunny day.
The joy with which she put on her married woman's hat the married woman's way in which she gave me her hand to get in and out of the car, and her arm to walk on the street All this showed me that the cause of Capitu's impatience had been for the external signs of our new marital status.
It wasn't enough to be married within four walls.
She needed the rest of the world too.
I'd invent outings so I'd been seen and envied.
On the street, many curious folk turned their heads others stopped, a few asked: Who are they? One knowledgeable person explained: "That's Dr.
Santiago who a few days ago married that young lady, Dona Capitolina.
" She's a fine filly! Filly is vulgar.
José Dias found a better one.
HAPPINESS HAS A GOOD SOUL He was the only person to visit us during those days in Tijuca bringing greetings from our families and his own words but words which were pure music.
I don't set them down here in order to save paper, but they were delicious.
One day, he compared us to two birds raised in nooks on neighboring rooftops.
You can imagine the rest, the birds ruffling their feathers and flying up into the sky! Music!
The next morning, I had a headache and pretended to be indisposed, so as not to go to the seminary so I could speak to Capitu.
She might be angry with me, not want me and prefer the dandy rider.
Wanted to settle everything.
Hear her out.
That's outrageous, Bento! I can't believe this after our oaths And judge her.
I don't know him, all I know is he passes here in the afternoon, like so many others.
And if I did look at him it's just proof there's nothing between us.
If there were, I'd try to deceive you.
And in any case, he's going to be married.
He's getting married? With a girl from Barbonos Street.
Oh really? But to avoid further trouble, shall stop going to the window.
ONE SECRET FOR ANOTHER I was thinking of coming to visit you if you delayed another day.
-Are you all right? -Yes.
You seem so distracted.
You should disguise it.
I too am distracted but I keep myself in check.
So I seem Yes, sometimes you don't listen, gazing into nothing.
Disguise it, Santiago.
I have my reasons.
I doubt anyone becomes distracted for no reason.
Escobar What is it? You're my friend, and I'm your friend too.
And here at the seminary you're the person who has most penetrated my heart.
Outside, apart from my family, I don't really have a friend.
If I said the same thing it wouldn't sound right as if I was just repeating you.
But I don't care about that.
Can you keep a secret? If you ask it is because you doubt it, and in that case I'm sorry, it's just an expression.
I know how honest you are I'll pretend I'm confessing to a priest.
If you need absolution, you have it.
Escobar, I'm here but I cannot become a priest.
My people believe it and expect it, but I cannot become a priest.
- Nor can I, Santiago.
- You too? A secret for a secret.
I also have no intention of finishing the course.
I want to go into commerce, but say absolutely nothing this must remain between us.
It's not that I'm not religious.
I am, but commerce is my passion.
Is that all? What else could be? A person? It must be a girl.
You cannot imagine the pleasure confiding in him gave me.
It was as an additional happiness.
That young man's heart who heard me, said I was right.
And I didn't tell him everything, nor even the best part.
I didn't mention the combing episode, for example.
Needless to say we returned to the subject again and again.
Many times.
I praised Capitu's moral qualities.
I didn't touch on her physical graces, nor did he ask about them.
I merely insinuated how favorable it was to know her by sight.
Now it won't be possible, Capitu will spend a few days with a friend in Inválidos Street.
When she comes, you can go.
But you can go before, always.
Everyone at home liked you very much.
And I liked everyone, but one must make a distinction.
I confess that your mother is an adorable lady.
Isn't she? Yes, my mother was adorable.
Although she was forcing me into a career I didn't wish I couldn't but sense how adorable she was.
Like a saint.
It so happened that my absence was soon tempered by Capitu's devotion.
My mother gradually became convinced that the young lady would make me happy.
Capitu was the angel in the Scripture.
Capitu became the flower of the house, the morning sunshine, the afternoon breeze, the moon at night.
My mother felt her heart, examined her eyes and my name lay between them like a key to a future life.
A WORD And why not go and see her? Didn't you tell me that Sancha's father offered you his house? Yes.
If that's what you want.
Capitu should have returned today to finish some work with me.
I'm sure her friend asked to stay the night.
Maybe you'll become sweethearts.
I didn't kill her because I had no iron bar nor rope to hand, no pistol nor dagger.
But the glance I gave her if it could kill, would have resolved the matter.
One of Providence's mistakes was to give man only arms and teeth as weapons of attack, and legs as weapons of escape or defense.
Our eyes should be enough.
Cousin Justina escaped mine.
I didn't escape the effects of insinuation and on Sunday I hurried to Inválidos Street.
-Sancha asked you to come.
-Is she worse? No, sir, but she wishes to speak to you.
Stay here for a while.
This is Sancha's nurse she won't have another.
I'll be right back.
Is it really you? THE COUCH Of all the items of furniture only the couch appeared to understand our situation.
That's my opinion: the couch brings together intimacy and decorum two men sitting together may debate the destiny of the empire, and two women the grace of a dress.
But a man and a women, by an aberration in the laws of nature, will speak of nothing but themselves.
Which is what we did.
I vaguely recall asking her if she would be staying long there.
long there.
I don't know, the fever seems to be receding, but I also recall, vaguely, that I explained my visit to her with the utmost truth, that is, that my mother had suggested it.
Your mother? Then we shall be happy! We'll be happy, Capitu, we'll be happy! Sancha is asking for you, Capitu.
THE PORTRAI - Has her fever worsened? - No.
Send my regards to your mother and cousin Justina.
See you soon.
All my feelings of envy went with her.
How could Capitu control herself so well She's a young lady.
but not I? Now I saw her more often.
Each time I thought her taller and fuller.
Her eyes seemed to have a new reflection, and her mouth Is it really you? Another empire.
Bento, do you think Capitu is like this portrait? It's of my deceased wife.
People who knew her say the same thing.
Her features are similar, especially her forehead and the eyes.
As for the spirit, they're like sisters.
Even her friendship with Sancha.
Her mother was such a friend to her.
In life there are such strange similarities.
CALLED Bento! Bento! Do you know my son Manduca died? -Died? -Died half an hour ago, to be buried tomorrow.
I sent word to your mother, and she did me the kindness of sending a few flowers for the coffin.
My poor son! Want to see him? Come on, see him, please.
Saying this isn't easy but I'd rather sin through excess than too little.
I wanted to reply that I didn't want to see Manduca and even made a move to get away.
It wasn't fear, perhaps on another occasion I'd have gone in with ease, out of curiosity, but now I was so content! To see a dead body on your way back from your girlfriend.
Some things just don't go together.
I don't blame the man.
To him, the most important thing right then was his son.
But don't blame me, either.
To me, the most important thing was Capitu.
The problem was, the two matters converged in the same afternoon and the death of one came putting its nose in the other.
If I'd passed by earlier or later, if Manduca had waited a few hours.
Why die precisely half an hour ago? Any time is suitable for death, one can die perfectly well at six or seven o'clock in the afternoon.
I let my body do whatever it could and it ended up going in.
A FRIEND FOR A DEAD BODY A friend can make up for a dead body.
For around 5 minutes Escobar held my hand in his as if he hadn't seen me for months.
Will you dine with us? That is what I came for.
The last time you were sick and I didn't get the chance to praise your great qualities For the great education you gave my good friend Santiago.
Escobar insisted with his fine manners, the good examples the sweet and rare mother heaven had given me.
Too kind.
I was just as content, as if Escobar had been my own invention.
It's true.
At the seminary, everyone, priests, colleagues everyone only want the best for your son.
You've found the kindest of friends, Bento.
Utterly polite! Kind or not, let's hurry with this compote and to backgammon! And cousin Justina couldn't find a single defect.
Later, yes, on the second or third Sunday she came and confessed that my friend Escobar was rather haughty and had policeman's eyes which missed nothing! They're just his eyes, cousin Justina.
I'm not saying they're anyone else's.
They're thoughtful eyes.
Certainly.
However, there may be some truth in what Dona Justina says.
One doesn't contradict the other.
Thoughtfulness goes perfectly well with curiosity.
He seems curious, certainly, but To me he seems to be a very serious young man.
Precisely! Your mother is a fine looking lady, so youthful.
What age must she be? Over 40.
Not possible! Forty years old? She doesn't look 30! She looks so young and pretty.
No wonder God gave you such fine eyes.
Has she been a widow for long? ARITHMETIC IDEAS There are useless letters and dispensable ones.
What's the difference between "d" and "t"? They have almost the same sound.
the same with b and p the same with k and g Mistakes of calligraphy.
Now take numbers: no two provide the same service.
4 is 4, 7 is 7.
And just admire the beauty with which a 4 and a 7 together form this thing expressed as 11 .
Now double it and you'll have 22.
But the zero, the zero has an even greater perfection.
The value of zero is, by itself, nothing but the job of this negative sign is actually to increase.
A 5 alone is just a 5.
Add two zeros, you'll have 500.
So that which is worth nothing can make something be worth a great deal, not the case with double letters.
One "p" or two make no difference.
For instance, give me a bunch of numbers I didn't know and have no way of knowing.
Give me the number of your mother's houses and the rents of each and if I can't add them up in two, in one minute, then hang me! I'll take the bet! Consider that there were no fewer than 9 houses and that the rents varied from 70 to 180 thousand réis.
It all adds up to 1 conto and 70 mil réis a month! All this I'd spend 3 or 4 minutes working out on paper on paper and Escobar did it in his head.
Right? Easily.
This proves that arithmetical ideas are simpler and therefore more natural.
Nature is simple.
Art is clumsy.
Escobar discreetly squeezed my hand so strongly that my fingers hurt to this day.
That's just an illusion, I'm sure, it must be the effect of the long endless hours I've been sitting writing.
Let us rest the pen for a few moments.
THE POPE Now it's certain, you'll soon be out of the seminary.
Wait till tomorrow.
The idea is so saintly that no sanctuary can resist it.
Tomorrow, Bento.
But is it certain? Utterly certain! He revealed a mystery to me.
According to him, my mother regretted what she did, and wanted me out of there but understood that the vow's moral bond held her irredeemably to it.
So the two of us would go to Rome to appeal to the Pope for absolution.
What do you think? I say no more, for the chapter must be finished but he didn't finish the speech, saw my mother's relieved soul I saw Capitu's happy soul.
You'll forget me completely.
- Never! - You'll forget.
If Capitu thought it too far, I wouldn't go.
They say Europe is so pretty, and especially Italy.
Isn't that where the soprano singers come from? I had to listen to her.
Is there no other way? Dona Glória is anxious for you to leave the seminary.
Yes, but she thinks she is trapped by the vow.
Swear that if you go you'll return in six months? I swear.
-By God's name? -By God's name, by everything.
I swear that in six months I'll be back.
What if the Pope hasn't yet released you? I'll say he has.
And what if you lie? A SUBSTITUTE I believe in you, in your oath.
But perhaps there is another solution.
Think about it.
And Escobar.
No, Bento.
Your mother made a vow to give God a priest, right? Then give Him a priest other than yourself.
She could very well take in a little orphan boy have him ordained at her expense and a priest will be given to the altar, without your having I understand! That's right! Consult the protonotary.
He'll say whether it comes to the same thing I'll consult him myself.
And if he hesitates, speak to the bishop.
Yes, that must be it.
Truly, the vow is fulfilled there be no loss of priest.
On the economic side it is easy, your mother would spend the same as on you, an orphan would require the same comfort.
She has a good income.
One conto and seventy thousand réis There is no other solution.
-And we get out together.
-You too? Yes.
I'm going to improve my Latin and then leave.
Forget theology.
Even Latin, what use will that be in commerce? In hoc signo vinces.
Under this symbol ye shall triumph! THE DEPARTURE My mother hesitated a little, but yielded in the end after Father Cabral, who consulted the bishop came back and told her it could be.
I left the seminary at the end of the year.
I was then just over 17.
I turned 18, 19, 20, 21.
At 22 I was a law graduate.
Everything around me changed.
My mother decided to age.
Even so her hair only turned gray reluctantly.
Uncle Cosme had heart trouble and cousin Justina was just older.
José Dias too, but not enough to miss coming to see me graduate and drive down the mountains with me jolly and affectionate as if he were the graduate.
Capitu's mother had died, and her father had retired.
Escobar began trading coffee.
Cousin Justina was of the opinion that he was toying with the idea of asking my mother to remarry.
But if he did have such an idea, one mustn't forget the great difference in age.
Our separation didn't cool our friendship Escobar was the third party in the correspondence between me and Capitu.
Ever since he saw her he encouraged me greatly in our love.
And Escobar married guess who? He married the lovely Sancha, Capitu's friend, almost sister, in fact once writing to me, she called her "your little sister-in-law".
Thus are affections and relationships formed and adventures and books.
My little Bento! This is your son! Son, this is your mother! Brother Cosme, look.
Isn't he just like his father? Yes, there really is something in the eyes, his facial features.
He's his father, a little more modern.
Now tell me, sister Glória, wasn't it better that he insisted on not becoming a priest? This rascal would never make an able priest.
Bento! Dr.
Bento Santiago! My mother kissed me with a tenderness I can hardly describe.
Uncle Cosme, to cheer her up, called me "Doctor" as did José Dias and everyone at the house, the cousin, slaves.
THOU SHALT BE HAPPY, BENTO Thou shalt be happy, Bento.
- And why wouldn't you be happy? - Did you hear? Hear what? A voice saying I'd be happy? That's good! You yourself said it.
I could still swear it was the voice of a fairy.
Naturally fairies, expelled from tales and verses have penetrated our hearts and now speak from within.
This one I hear clearly and distinctly.
She must be a cousin of the Witches of Scotland: Thou shalt be king, Macbeth! "Thou shalt be happy, Bento.
" After all, it's the same prophecy the same Universal and Eternal air.
You should be happy, you deserve it, as you deserved this diploma.
And happiness isn't just glory, it's also something else.
Oh! You didn't confide everything to José Dias! Poor José Dias is cast aside, a spent force, worth nothing.
Now it is the young, the Escobars well, anyway the old also know how to love.
But what is it? How do you mean? That intimacy of neighbors had to end up like this, which is truly a blessing from heaven.
For she's an angel, an utter angel.
Why is it she didn't also tell me what the others knew and which is fully known and approved here at home? Mother really approves? Quite so.
We have spoken about it and she was kind enough to ask my opinion.
I told her I couldn't wish for a finer daughter-in-law kind, discreet, well-mannered, our friend.
And a woman of the house.
Since her mother's death, she has taken care of everything.
Pádua, now he's retired receives his pension and hands it over to his daughter.
It is Capitu who pays the bills, draws up the list of expenses takes care of provisions, everything! And what about her good looks? Ah, mon Dieu you know better than anyone.
Has mother consulted you about our marriage? Not exactly, but she did ask whether Capitu would make a good wife.
It was I, in my answer, who spoke of a daughter-in-law.
Dona Glória didn't contradict me and even looked amused.
Thou shalt be happy, Bento! -Thou shalt be happy, Bento! -Thou shalt be happy, Bento! My mother, some weeks later when I went to ask her permission to marry, as well as her consent, pronounced the same prophecy.
You shall be happy, my son! A mother's own version.
Then let us all be happy, before the reader comes to his senses dead from waiting.
We were married! It was in 1865, on a March afternoon.
In fact it was raining.
When we got up to Alto da Tijuca which was where our newly-weds' nest was the sky gathered in the rain and lit the stars.
Not only the familiar ones, but those which would only be discovered many centuries from now.
IN HEAVEN Ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold but let it be the hidden man of the heart.
I sit in the shadow of that which I had so much desired.
Rest, for I shall not attempt a description.
Not even the human tongue has sufficient apt forms.
It is true that Capitu told me that I was the only lace and only adornment she would wear.
To which I responded that my spouse would always have the finest lace in the world.
No external sign revealed the march of time.
Thus was our week in Tijuca.
A MARRIED WOMAN Sometimes we returned to the past and enjoyed recalling sad times and calamities.
What is it? I enjoy recalling our teenage years I was remembering José Dias.
He conspired against our union and in the end celebrated our bond.
All began with his accusation.
When will we go back to town? Have you already grown tired of me? - Me? - It would appear so.
You always have to be such a child, Bento.
So I've waited so many years to grow tired in 7 days? No, Bento, I said that because I think perhaps the others might like to see us and be wondering if we're ill and I confess that, for my part, I'd like to see father.
- Then we'll go tomorrow.
- No! The weather must be cloudy.
Once or twice, we spoke of returning but the mornings were always either rainy or sunny and we waited for a cloudy day, which refused to appear.
Then we'll go tomorrow.
No.
The weather must be cloudy.
But our impatience continued, and we returned on a sunny day.
The joy with which she put on her married woman's hat the married woman's way in which she gave me her hand to get in and out of the car, and her arm to walk on the street All this showed me that the cause of Capitu's impatience had been for the external signs of our new marital status.
It wasn't enough to be married within four walls.
She needed the rest of the world too.
I'd invent outings so I'd been seen and envied.
On the street, many curious folk turned their heads others stopped, a few asked: Who are they? One knowledgeable person explained: "That's Dr.
Santiago who a few days ago married that young lady, Dona Capitolina.
" She's a fine filly! Filly is vulgar.
José Dias found a better one.
HAPPINESS HAS A GOOD SOUL He was the only person to visit us during those days in Tijuca bringing greetings from our families and his own words but words which were pure music.
I don't set them down here in order to save paper, but they were delicious.
One day, he compared us to two birds raised in nooks on neighboring rooftops.
You can imagine the rest, the birds ruffling their feathers and flying up into the sky! Music!