The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER LXIII 291
"Poor old man!" sighed Don Filipo. "What became of his books?"
"They were burned by the pious, who thought thus to please God. I was unable to save anything, not even
Cicero's works. The gobernadorcillo did nothing to prevent it."
Both became silent. At that moment the sad and melancholy song of the madwoman was heard.
"Do you know when Maria Clara is to be married?" Iday asked Sinang.
"I don't know," answered the latter. "I received a letter from her but haven't opened it for fear of finding out.
Poor Crisostomo!"
"They say that if it were not for Linares, they would hang Capitan Tiago, so what was Maria Clara going to
do?" observed Victoria.
A boy limped by, running toward the plaza, whence came the notes of Sisa's song. It was Basilio, who had
found his home deserted and in ruins. After many inquiries he had only learned that his mother was insane and
wandering about the town--of Crispin not a word.
Basilio choked back his tears, stifled any expression of his sorrow, and without resting had started in search of
his mother. On reaching the town he was just asking about her when her song struck his ears. The unhappy
boy overcame the trembling in his limbs and ran to throw himself into his mother's arms.
The madwoman left the plaza and stopped in front of the house of the new alferez. Now, as formerly, there
was a sentinel before the door, and a woman's head appeared at the window, only it was not the Medusa's but
that of a comely young woman: alferez and unfortunate are not synonymous terms.
Sisa began to sing before the house with her gaze fixed on the moon, which soared majestically in the blue
heavens among golden clouds. Basilio saw her, but did not dare to approach' her. Walking back and forth, but
taking care not to get near the barracks, he waited for the time when she would leave that place.
The young woman who was at the window listening attentively to the madwoman's song ordered the sentinel
to bring her inside, but when Sisa saw the soldier approach her and heard his voice she was filled with terror
and took to flight at a speed of which only a demented person is capable. Basilio, fearing to lose her, ran after
her, forgetful of the pains in his feet.
"Look how that boy's chasing the madwoman!" indignantly exclaimed a woman in the street. Seeing that he
continued to pursue her, she picked up a stone and threw it at him, saying, "Take that! It's a pity that the dog is
tied up!"
Basilio felt a blow on his head, but paid no attention to it as he continued running. Dogs barked, geese
cackled, several windows opened to let out curious faces but quickly closed again from fear of another night
of terror.
Soon they were outside of the town. Sisa began to moderate her flight, but still a great distance separated her
from her pursuer.
"Mother!" he called to her when he caught sight of her. Scarcely had the madwoman heard his voice when she
again took to flight.
"Mother, it's I!" cried the boy in desperation, but the madwoman did not heed him, so he followed panting.
They had now passed the cultivated fields and were near the wood; Basilio saw his mother enter it and he also