The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XLVII 221
"This very day we go to Manila. You, you stay here to challenge him or else I'll tell Don Santiago that all
we're told him is a lie, I'll tell him--"
"But, Doña Victorina, Doña Victorina," interrupted the now pallid Linares, going up to her, "be calm, don't
call up--" Then he added in a whisper, "Don't be imprudent, especially just now."
At that moment Capitan Tiago came in from the cockpit, sad and sighing; he had lost his lásak. But Doña
Victorina left him no time to grieve. In a few words but with no lack of strong language she related what had
happened, trying of course to put herself in the best light possible.
"Linares is going to challenge him, do you hear? If he doesn't, don't let him marry your daughter, don't you
permit it! If he hasn't any courage, he doesn't deserve Clarita!"
"So you're going to marry this gentleman?" asked Sinang, but her merry eyes filled with tears. "I knew that
you were prudent but not that you were fickle."
Pale as wax, Maria Clara partly rose and stared with frightened eyes at her father, at Doña Victorina, at
Linares. The latter blushed, Capitan Tiago dropped his eyes, while the señora went on:
"Clarita, bear this in mind: never marry a man that doesn't wear trousers. You expose yourself to insults, even
from the dogs!"
The girl did not answer her, but turned to her friends and said, "Help me to my room, I can't walk alone."
By their aid she rose, and with her waist encircled by the round arms of her friends, resting her marble-like
head on the shoulder of the beautiful Victoria, she went to her chamber.
That same night the married couple gathered their effects together and presented Capitan Tiago with a bill
which amounted to several thousand pesos. Very early the following day they left for Manila in his carriage,
committing to the bashful Linares the office of avenger.