Part 21 (2/2)
Leandro's bitterness corroded the very depths of his soul, and however much he tried to dominate his instincts, he could not succeed in calming himself. One Sat.u.r.day night, as they were walking homewards along the Ronda, Leandro drew near to Manuel.
”Do you know whether Milagros talks to Lechuguino?”
”I?”
”Haven't you heard that they were going to get married?”
”Yes; so folks say.”
”What would you do in my case?”
”I ... I'd find out.”
”And suppose it proved to be true?”
Manuel was silent. They walked along without a word. Soon Leandro carne to an abrupt stop and placed his hand upon Manuel's shoulder.
”Do you believe,” he asked, ”that if a woman deceives a man, he has the right to kill her?”
”I don't believe he has,” answered Manuel, staring into Leandro's eyes.
”Well, if a man has the guts he does it whether he has a right to or not.
”But, the deuce! Has Milagros deceived you? Were you married to her?
You've had a quarrel; that's all.”
”I'll wind up by doing something desperate. Take my word for it,”
muttered Leandro.
Neither spoke. They entered La Corrala, climbed up the stairways and walked into Leandro's house. They brought out supper, but Leandro didn't eat; he drank three gla.s.ses of water in succession and went out to the gallery.
Manuel was about to leave after supper, when he heard Leandro call him several times.
”What do you want?”
”Come on, let's be going.”
Manuel ran out to the balcony; Milagros and her mother, from their door, were heaping insults upon Leandro.
”Outcast! Blackguard!” the proof-reader's wife was shouting. ”If her father were here you wouldn't talk like that.”
”I would, too, even if her grandfather were here,” exclaimed Leandro, with a savage laugh. ”Come on, let's be off,” he added, turning to Manuel. ”I'm sick and tired of these wh.o.r.es.”
They left the gallery and were soon out of El Corralon.
”What was the matter?'” asked Manuel.
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