The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
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CHAPTER LV 249<br />
CHAPTER LV<br />
<strong>The</strong> Catastrophe<br />
<strong>The</strong>re in the dining-room Capitan Tiago, Linares, and Aunt Isabel were at supper, so that even in the sala the<br />
rattling of plates and dishes was plainly heard. Maria Clara had said that she was not hungry and had seated<br />
herself at the piano in company with the merry Sinang, who was murmuring mysterious words into her ear.<br />
Meanwhile Padre Salvi paced nervously back and forth in the room.<br />
It was not, indeed, that the convalescent was not hungry, no; but she was expecting the arrival of a certain<br />
person and was taking advantage of this moment when her Argus was not present, Linares' supper-hour.<br />
"You'll see how that specter will stay till eight," murmured Sinang, indicating the curate. "And at eight he will<br />
come. <strong>The</strong> curate's in love with Linares."<br />
Maria Clara gazed in consternation at her friend, who went on heedlessly with her terrible chatter: "Oh, I<br />
know why he doesn't go, in spite of my hints--he doesn't want to burn up oil in the convento! Don't you know<br />
that since you've been sick the two lamps that he used to keep lighted he has had put out? But look how he<br />
stares, and what a face!"<br />
At that moment a clock in the house struck eight. <strong>The</strong> curate shuddered and sat down in a corner.<br />
"Here he comes!" exclaimed Sinang, pinching Maria Clara. "Don't you hear him?"<br />
<strong>The</strong> church bell boomed out the hour of eight and all rose to pray. Padre Salvi offered up a prayer in a weak<br />
and trembling voice, but as each was busy with his own thoughts no one paid any attention to the priest's<br />
agitation.<br />
Scarcely had the prayer ceased when Ibarra appeared. <strong>The</strong> youth was in mourning not only in his attire but<br />
also in his face, to such an extent that, on seeing him, Maria Clara arose and took a step toward him to ask<br />
what the matter was. But at that instant the report of firearms was heard. Ibarra stopped, his eyes rolled, he<br />
lost the power of speech. <strong>The</strong> curate had concealed himself behind a post. More shots, more reports were<br />
heard from the direction of the convento, followed <strong>by</strong> cries and the sound of persons running. Capitan Tiago,<br />
Aunt Isabel, and Linares rushed in pell-mell, crying, "Tulisan! Tulisan!" Andeng followed, flourishing the<br />
gridiron as she ran toward her foster-sister.<br />
Aunt Isabel fell on her knees weeping and reciting the Kyrie eleyson; Capitan Tiago, pale and trembling,<br />
carried on his fork a chicken-liver which he offered tearfully to the Virgin of Antipolo; Linares with his mouth<br />
full of food was armed with a case-knife; Sinang and Maria Clara were in each other's arms; while the only<br />
one that remained motionless, as if petrified, was Crisostomo, whose paleness was indescribable.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cries and sound of blows continued, windows were closed noisily, the report of a gun was heard from<br />
time to time.<br />
"Christie eleyson! Santiago, let the prophecy be fulfilled! Shut the windows!" groaned Aunt Isabel.<br />
"Fifty big bombs and two thanksgiving masses!" responded Capitan Tiago. "Ora pro nobis!"<br />
Gradually there prevailed a heavy silence which was soon broken <strong>by</strong> the voice of the alferez, calling as he ran:<br />
"Padre, Padre Salvi, come here!"