Era odat\u0103 un fl\u0103c\u0103u st\u0103tut, pe care-l chema Stan. \u015ei fl\u0103c\u0103ul acela din copil\u0103ria lui se trezise prin str\u0103ini, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 cunoasc\u0103 tat\u0103 \u015fi mam\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 nici o rud\u0103 care s\u0103-l ocroteasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-l ajute.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, ca b\u0103iat str\u0103in ce se g\u0103sea, nemernicind el de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo pe la u\u015file oamenilor, de unde p\u00e2n\u0103 unde s-a oplo\u015fit de la o vreme \u00eentr-un sat mare \u015fi frumos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei aici, slujind cu credin\u0163\u0103 ba la unul, ba la altul, p\u00e2n\u0103 la v\u00e2rsta de treizeci \u015fi mai bine de ani, \u015fi-a sclipuit pu\u0163ine parale, c\u00e2teva oi, un car cu boi \u015fi o v\u0103cu\u015foar\u0103 cu lapte. Mai pe urm\u0103 \u015fi-a \u00eenjghebat \u015fi o c\u0103su\u0163\u0103, \u015fi apoi s-a statornicit \u00een satul acela pentru totdeauna, tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-se la casa lui \u015fi muncind ca pentru d\u00e2nsul. Vorba ceea: “\u015ei piatra prinde mu\u015fchi dac\u0103 \u015fede mult \u00eentr-un loc”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum s-a v\u0103zut fl\u0103c\u0103ul cu cas\u0103 \u015fi avere bunicic\u0103, nu mai sta locului, cum nu st\u0103 apa pe pietre, \u015fi mai nu-l prindea somnul de harnic ce era. Dintr-o parte venea cu carul, \u00een alta se ducea, \u015fi toate treburile \u015fi le punea la cale singurel. Nu-i vorb\u0103 c\u0103, de greu, greu \u00eei era; pentru c\u0103, \u00een lipsa lui, n-avea cine s\u0103-i \u00eengrijeasc\u0103 de cas\u0103 \u015fi de viti\u015foare cum trebuie. Numai, d\u0103! ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 bietul om? Cum era s\u0103 se \u00eentind\u0103 mai mult, c\u0103 de-abia acum se prinsese \u015fi el cu m\u00e2inile de vatr\u0103; \u015fi c\u00e2te a tras p\u00e2n\u0103 s-a v\u0103zut la casa lui, numai unul Dumnezeu \u015ftie. De-aceea alerga singur zi \u015fi noapte \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, cum putea, \u015fi muncea \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga, c\u0103 doar-doar a \u00eenc\u0103leca pe nevoie, \u015f-apoi atunci, v\u0103z\u00e2nd \u015fi f\u0103c\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toate ca toate, dar ur\u00e2tul \u00eei venea de hac. \u00cen zile de lucru, calea-valea; se lua cu treaba \u015fi uita de ur\u00e2t. Dar \u00een nop\u0163ile cele mari, c\u00e2 nd era c\u00e2te o givorni\u0163\u0103 cumplit\u0103 \u015fi se mai \u00eent\u00e2mpla s\u0103 fie \u015fi s\u0103rb\u0103tori la mijloc, nu mai \u015ftia ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencotro s\u0103 apuce, vorba c\u00e2ntecului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De ur\u00e2t m\u0103 duc de-acas\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ur\u00e2tul nu m\u0103 las\u0103;<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De ur\u00e2t s\u0103 fug \u00een lume,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ur\u00e2tul fuge cu mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se vede lucru c\u0103 a\u015fa e f\u0103cut omul, s\u0103 nu fie singur. De multe ori i-a venit fl\u0103c\u0103ului \u00een cap s\u0103 se \u00eensoare, dar c\u00e2nd \u00ee\u015fi aducea aminte uneori de c\u00e2te i-au spus c\u0103 au p\u0103timit unii \u015fi al\u0163ii de la femeile lor, se lua pe g\u00e2nduri \u015fi am\u00e2na, din zi \u00een zi \u015fi de joi p\u00e2n\u0103 mai de-apoi, aceast\u0103 pozna\u015f\u0103 trebu\u015foar\u0103 \u015fi ginga\u015f\u0103 \u00een multe privin\u0163e, dup\u0103 cum o numea el, g\u00e2ndindu-se mereu la multe de toate\u2026 Unii zic a\u015fa, c\u0103 femeia-i sac f\u0103r\u0103 fund. Ce-a mai fi \u015fi asta? Al\u0163ii, c\u0103 s\u0103 te fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu de femeia lene\u015f\u0103, m\u00e2r\u015fav\u0103 \u015fi risipitoare; al\u0163ii alte n\u0103stru\u015fnicii, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu \u015ftii ce s\u0103 crezi \u015fi ce s\u0103 nu crezi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai nu-i vorb\u0103 c\u0103 am v\u0103zut eu \u015fi destui b\u0103rba\u0163i mult mai tic\u0103i\u0163i \u015fi mai chitc\u0103i\u0163i dec\u00e2t cea mai bicisnic\u0103 femeie. \u015ei a\u015fa, trezindu-se el \u00een multe r\u00e2nduri vorbind singur, ca nebunii, sta \u00een cumpene: s\u0103 se \u00eensoare\u2026 s\u0103 nu se \u00eensoare?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, ba s-a \u00eensura la toamn\u0103, ba la iarn\u0103, ba la prim\u0103var\u0103, ba la var\u0103, ba iar la toamn\u0103, ba vremea trece, fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u00eencepe \u015fi el a se trece, merg\u00e2nd tot \u00eenainte cu burl\u0103cia, \u015fi \u00eensur\u0103toarea r\u0103m\u00e2ne balt\u0103. \u015ei apoi este o vorb\u0103: c\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la 20 de ani se \u00eensoar\u0103 cineva singur; de la 20-25 \u00eel \u00eensoar\u0103 al\u0163ii; de la 25-30 \u00eel \u00eensoar\u0103 o bab\u0103, iar\u0103 de la 30 de ani \u00eenainte numai dracu-i vine de hac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tocmai a\u015fa s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat \u015fi cu fl\u0103c\u0103ul acesta c\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 la vremea asta, nici el de la sine, nici prietenii, nici babele, c\u00e2tu-s ele de-a dracului, de pref\u0103cute \u015fi iscoditoare, tot nu l-au putut face s\u0103 se \u00eensoare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stan era om t\u0103cut \u00een felul s\u0103u, dar \u015fi c\u00e2nd da c\u00e2te-o vorb\u0103 dintr-\u00eensul vorba era vorb\u0103, la locul ei, \u015fi nu-l putea r\u0103pune te miri cine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mul\u0163i tr\u0103geau n\u0103dejdea s\u0103-l ia de ginere, dar fl\u0103c\u0103ul era chitit la capul s\u0103u \u015fi nu se da cu una, cu dou\u0103. \u015ei a\u015fa, de la o vreme, \u015fi prietenii \u015fi babele, leh\u0103metindu-se, l-au dat \u00een burduful dracului \u015fi l-au l\u0103sat pe seama lui, s\u0103 fac\u0103 de-acum \u00eenainte ce-a \u015fti el cu d\u00e2nsul, c\u0103 ei \u015fi-au luat toat\u0103 n\u0103dejdea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Amu, \u00eentr-una din zile, fl\u0103c\u0103ul se scoal\u0103 de noapte, face m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 \u00eembr\u00e2nzit\u0103 \u015fi ce-a mai dat Dumnezeu, pune m\u00e2ncarea \u00een traist\u0103, \u00eenjug\u0103 boii la car, zice Doamne-ajut\u0103 \u015fi se duce la p\u0103dure, s\u0103-\u015fi aduc\u0103 un car de lemne. \u015ei ajung\u00e2nd el \u00een p\u0103dure pe c\u00e2nd se mijea de ziu\u0103, a t\u0103iat lemne, a \u00eenc\u0103rcat carul zdrav\u0103n \u015fi l-a cetluit bine, \u015fi p\u00e2n-or mai m\u00e2nca boii, s-a pus s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce \u015fi el ceva. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce a m\u00e2ncat c\u00e2t a trebuit, i-a mai r\u0103mas o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 \u00eembr\u00e2nzit\u0103 \u015fi, f\u0103c\u00e2nd-o bo\u0163, a zis: “Ce s-o mai duc acas\u0103? ia s-o pun ici pe te\u015fitura asta, c\u0103 poate-a g\u0103si-o vreo lighioaie ceva, a m\u00e2nca-o \u015fi ea \u015f-a zice-o bodaproste”. \u015ei pun\u00e2nd m\u0103m\u0103liga pe te\u015fitur\u0103, \u00eenjug\u0103 boii, zice iar un Doamne-ajut\u0103 \u015fi, pe la pr\u00e2nzi\u015for, porne\u015fte spre cas\u0103. \u015ei cum a pornit el din p\u0103dure, pe loc s-a \u015fi st\u00e2rnit un vifor cumplit, cu lapovi\u0163\u0103 \u00een dou\u0103, de nu vedeai nici \u00eenainte, nici \u00eenapoi. M\u00e2nia lui Dumnezeu ce era afar\u0103! s\u0103 nu sco\u0163i c\u00e2ine din cas\u0103, dar \u00eenc\u0103 om! \u00cens\u0103 dracul nu caut\u0103 mai bine; la a\u015fa vreme te face s\u0103 pierzi r\u0103bdarea \u015fi, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vrei, te v\u00e2r\u0103 \u00een p\u0103cat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen acea zi, Scaraoschi, c\u0103petenia dracilor, voind a-\u015fi face mendrele cum \u015ftie el, a dat porunc\u0103 tuturor slugilor sale ca s\u0103 apuce care \u00eencotro a vedea cu ochii, \u015fi pretutindene, pe mare \u015fi pe uscat, s\u0103 v\u00e2re vrajb\u0103 \u00eentre oameni \u015fi s\u0103 le fac\u0103 pacoste.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci dracii s-au \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftiat, iute ca fulgerul, \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Unul din ei a apucat spre p\u0103duri, s\u0103 vad\u0103 de n-a putea treb\u0103lui ceva \u015fi pe-acolo; doar a face pe vrun om s\u0103 b\u00e2rfeasc\u0103 \u00eempotriva lui Dumnezeu, pe altul s\u0103-\u015fi chinuiasc\u0103 boii, altuia s\u0103-i rup\u0103 vrun cap\u0103t sau altceva de la car, altuia s\u0103-i schilodeasc\u0103 vrun bou, pe al\u0163ii s\u0103-i fac\u0103 s\u0103 se bat\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 s-or ucide, \u015fi c\u00e2te alte bazaconii \u015fi n\u0103zbutii de care iscode\u015fte \u015fi vr\u0103je\u015fte dracul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce-or fi ispr\u0103vit ceilal\u0163i draci nu \u015ftim, dar acestui de la p\u0103dure nu i-a mers \u00een acea zi. S-a pus el, nu-i vorb\u0103, luntre \u015fi punte ca s\u0103-\u015fi v\u00e2re codi\u0163a cea b\u00e2rligat\u0103 undeva, dar degeaba i-a fost, c\u0103, pe unde se ducea, tot \u00een gol umbla.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei tot cerc\u00e2nd el ba ici, ba colea, \u00eenspre sear\u0103 numai ce d\u0103 de-o p\u00e2rtie. Atunci se ia tiptil-tiptil pe urma ei \u015fi se duce tocmai la locul de unde \u00eenc\u0103rcase Stan lemnele. \u015ei, c\u00e2nd colo, g\u0103se\u015fte numai locul, pentru c\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103ul, dup\u0103 cum am spus, de mult ie\u015fise din p\u0103dure \u015fi se dusese \u00een treaba lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd el dracul c\u0103 nici aici n-a izbutit nimica, cr\u00e2\u015fc\u0103 din m\u0103sele \u015fi crap\u0103 de ciud\u0103, pentru c\u0103 era \u00eengrijit cu ce obraz s\u0103 se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015feze \u00eenaintea lui Scaraoschi; \u015f-apoi, afar\u0103 de aceasta, era buimac de cap \u015fi h\u0103mesit de foame, de at\u00e2ta umblet.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum sta el pe g\u00e2nduri, posomor\u00e2t \u015fi bezmetic, numai iaca ce vede pe-o te\u015fitur\u0103 un bo\u0163 de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103. Atunci, bucuria dracului! Odat\u0103-o \u015fi hale\u015fte \u015fi nu zice nimica. Apoi, nemaiav\u00e2nd ce face, \u00ee\u015fi ia coada \u00eentre vine \u015fi se \u00eentoarce la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u, \u015fi, cum ajunge \u00een iad, Scaraoschi \u00eel \u00eentreab\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, copile, ce isprav\u0103 ai f\u0103cut? C\u00e2te suflete mi-ai arvonit? D\u0103-\u0163i solia!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, mai nimica, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, r\u0103spunse dracul, ru\u015finat \u015fi tremur\u00e2nd ca varga de fric\u0103; se vede c-am pornit \u00eentr-un ceas r\u0103u. Vremea a fost prea dimpotriv\u0103, cum \u015fti\u0163i, \u015fi numai un om a venit azi \u00een p\u0103dure, dar \u015fi-acela a sc\u0103pat de mine, c\u0103ci am dat \u00een urma lui t\u00e2rziu, tocmai c\u00e2nd se dusese. Noroc numai c-am g\u0103sit pe-o te\u015fitur\u0103 un bo\u0163 de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, de-am m\u00e2ncat, c\u0103ci \u00eemi g\u00e2r\u00e2iau ma\u0163ele de foame. Alta nu mai \u015ftiu nimica, \u00eentunecimea-voastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei bine, zm\u00e2rdoare ur\u00e2cioas\u0103 ce e\u015fti, de m\u00e2ncat ai m\u00e2ncat bo\u0163ul cel de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, dar ce-a zis omul acela c\u00e2nd a pus m\u0103m\u0103liga acolo, pe te\u015fitur\u0103, ai tu la \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba de asta nu \u015ftiu nimica, st\u0103p\u00e2ne., Apoi, ce p\u0103ze\u015fti tu alta, dac\u0103 nu \u015ftii nici macar ceea ce vorbesc muritorii? S\u0103-\u0163i spun eu dar\u0103, de\u015fi n-am fost \u00een p\u0103dure, ca tine: a zis c\u0103 cine-a m\u00e2nca bo\u0163ul cel de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 bodaproste. Zis-ai tu ceva c\u00e2nd ai m\u00e2ncat-o?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba n-am zis nimica, st\u0103p\u00e2ne., A\u015fa? \u00cen loc s\u0103-\u0163i dai osteneal\u0103 ca s\u0103 afli p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi g\u00e2ndul oamenilor, tu nu \u015ftii nici m\u0103car ceea ce vorbesc ei? Mai pot eu s\u0103 am n\u0103dejde \u00een voi? Ei, las\u2019 c\u0103-\u0163i g\u0103sesc eu acu\u015f leacul; te-i \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a tu minte de alt\u0103 dat\u0103! Hai, porne\u015fte acum degrab\u0103 la omul acela, \u015fi s\u0103-i sluje\u015fti taman trei ani de zile, cu credin\u0163\u0103, la ce te-a pune el! Simbrie \u00een bani s\u0103 nu prime\u015fti de la d\u00e2nsul, ci s\u0103 faci tocmal\u0103 c\u0103, dup\u0103 ce \u0163i-i \u00eemplini anii, s\u0103 ai a lua din casa lui ce-i vrea tu; \u015fi aceea are s\u0103 fie de trebuin\u0163\u0103 la talpa iadului, c\u0103 au \u00eenceput a putrezi c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iele\u2026 Ia s\u0103 vedem, \u0163i-a veni \u00een cap ce ai s\u0103 iei? hai, gata e\u015fti? ia-\u0163i t\u0103lp\u0103\u015fi\u0163a!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gata, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, iaca, pornesc! Atunci dracul d\u0103 o rait\u0103 pe la talpa iadului, s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce lipse\u015fte, \u015fi apoi iese iute ca sc\u00e2nteia \u015fi se tot duce \u00eenainte la slujb\u0103, dup\u0103 porunca lui Scaraoschi. \u015ei c\u00e2nd pe aproape de casa lui Stan, dracul s-a pref\u0103cut \u00eentr-un b\u0103iat ca de opt ani, \u00eembr\u0103cat cu straie nem\u0163e\u015fti, \u015fi umbla zgribulind pe la poart\u0103. Stan era acas\u0103 \u015fi chiar atunci luase ceaunul de pe foc, ca s\u0103 mestece m\u0103m\u0103liga; \u015fi numai iaca ce vede c\u0103 se reped c\u00e2inii s\u0103 rup\u0103 omul, nu alt\u0103ceva, \u015fi c\u00e2nd se uit\u0103 mai bine, ce s\u0103 vad\u0103? Vede un b\u0103iat c\u0103 se ac\u0103\u0163\u0103ra pe st\u00e2lpul por\u0163ii, de teama c\u00e2inilor. Atunci Stan alearg\u0103 la poart\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ib\u0103, Hormuz, na, Balan, nea! Zurzan, da\u0163i-v\u0103-n l\u0103turi, cotarle! Da\u2019 de unde e\u015fti tu, m\u0103i \u0163ic\u0103? \u015fi ce cau\u0163i pe-aici, spaima c\u00e2inilor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde s\u0103 fiu, b\u0103dic\u0103? Ia, sunt \u015fi eu un b\u0103iat s\u0103rman, din toat\u0103 lumea, f\u0103r\u0103 tat\u0103 \u015fi mam\u0103, \u015fi vreau s\u0103 intru la st\u0103p\u00e2n.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 intri la st\u0103p\u00e2n? d-apoi tu nici de p\u0103scut g\u00e2\u015ftele nu e\u015fti bun\u2026 Cam de c\u00e2\u0163i ani \u00eei fi tu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, poate s\u0103 am vro treisprezece ani., Ce spui tu, m\u0103i? Apoi dar bine-a zis cine-a zis, c\u0103 vrabia-i tot pui, dar numai dracul o \u015ftie de c\u00e2nd \u00eei\u2026 Eu de-abia \u0163i-a\u015f fi dat \u015fapte, mult opt ani. Dar ce, Doamne iart\u0103-m\u0103! pesemne c\u0103 \u015fi straiele acestea pocite fac s\u0103 ar\u0103\u0163i a\u015fa de sfrijit \u015fi \u00eenchircit. Am mai v\u0103zut deun\u0103zi umbl\u00e2nd pe aici prin sat un ciofligar de-alde tine, dar acela era oleac\u0103 mai chipos \u015fi altfel \u00eembr\u0103cat:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu antereu de canava\u0163\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce se \u0163inea numa-n a\u0163\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cu n\u0103dragi de anglie,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petice pe ei o mie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2nd mergea pe drum, n\u0103dragii mergeau al\u0103turea cu drumul: c\u0103ci umbla dup\u0103 str\u00e2ns pielcele, \u015fi cum trecea pe la poarta mea, de-abia l-am scos din gura lui Zurzan; l-a piept\u0103nat de i-au mers peticele. Vorba ceea: “A\u015f veni desar\u0103 la voi, dar mi-e ru\u015fine de c\u00e2ini”. \u015ei acum parc\u0103-l v\u0103d c\u00e2t era de ferfeni\u0163os \u015fi cum \u00ee\u015fi culegea boarfele de pe jos. Oleac\u0103 de n-ai p\u0103\u0163it \u015fi tu ca d\u00e2nsul. \u015ei cum te cheam\u0103 pe tine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tot Chiric\u0103 m\u0103 cheam\u0103., M\u0103i parpalecule, nu cumva e\u015fti botezat de sf\u00e2ntul Chiric\u0103 \u015echiopul, care \u0163ine dracii de p\u0103r?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-l \u015ftiu pe acela, dar Chiric\u0103 m\u0103 cheam\u0103., Apoi, despre mine, fie oricine \u0163i-a fi n\u0103na\u015f, dar \u015ftiu c-a nimerit-o bine, de \u0163i-a pus numele Chiric\u0103: pentru c\u0103 e\u015fti un fel de vr\u0103bioi \u00eenchircit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, bade, \u00eenchircit, vr\u0103bioi, cum m\u0103 vezi, acesta sunt, am v\u0103zut eu \u015fi hoituri mari \u015fi nici de-o lume: la treab\u0103 se vede omul ce poate. Las\u2019 s\u0103 m\u0103 cheme cum m-a chema; ce ai d-ta de-acolo? Da\u2019 pe d-ta cum te cheam\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tot Stan m\u0103 cheam\u0103, dar de la o boal\u0103 ce am avut, c\u00e2nd eram mic, mi-au schimbat numele din Stan \u00een Ipate, \u015fi de-atunci am r\u0103mas cu dou\u0103 nume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi ai la \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103, bade, c\u0103 \u015fi d-ta ai c\u00e2ntec:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, care d\u0103 oca pe spate<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei face cu m\u00e2na s\u0103-i mai aduc\u0103 una.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar \u015ftii c\u0103 m-ai plesnit \u00een p\u0103l\u0103rie, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103? Al dracului b\u0103iat! Parc\u0103 e\u015fti Cel-de-pe-comoar\u0103, m\u0103i, de \u015ftii toate cele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De trup e\u015fti m\u0103run\u0163el, nu-i vorb\u0103, dar la fire e\u015fti mare. Ia s\u0103 te vedem dac\u0103 mi-i ghici tu cimilitura aceasta:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lat\u0103 peste lat\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0peste lat\u0103 \u00eembujorat\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0peste \u00eembujorat\u0103 cr\u0103c\u0103nat\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0peste cr\u0103c\u0103nat\u0103 m\u0103ciulie,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0peste m\u0103ciulie limpezeal\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0peste limpezeal\u0103 g\u0103lbeneal\u0103<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi peste g\u0103lbeneal\u0103 hudule\u0163.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chiric\u0103 atunci \u00eencepe a z\u00e2mbi \u015fi zice:, De-oi ghici, mi-i da \u015fi mie o hrinc\u0103 dintr-\u00eensa?, D-apoi \u015ftiu eu ce crezi tu c\u0103-i aceea? Ghice\u015fte \u00eent\u00e2i, s\u0103 vedem.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fie?! zise Chiric\u0103. Ia fa\u0163a casei, vatra, focul, pirostiile, ceaunul, apa dintr-\u00eensul, f\u0103ina \u015fi cule\u015ferul sau melesteul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103, ia acum v\u0103d \u015fi eu c\u0103 nu e\u015fti prost! Hai! c\u00e2t s\u0103-\u0163i dau pe an ca s\u0103 te tocme\u015fti la mine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi eu\u2026 nu m\u0103 tocmesc cu anul., Dar cum te tocme\u015fti tu?, Eu m\u0103 tocmesc pe trei ani odat\u0103: pentru c\u0103 nu-s deprins a umbla din st\u0103p\u00e2n \u00een st\u0103p\u00e2n, \u015fi vreau s\u0103 cunosc ceva c\u00e2nd voi ie\u015fi de la d-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Despre mine, cu at\u00e2ta mai bine, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103. \u015ei ce mi-i cere tu pentru trei ani?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103-\u0163i cer? Ia, s\u0103-mi dai de m\u00e2ncare \u015fi de purtat c\u00e2t mi-a trebui, iar c\u00e2nd mi s-or \u00eemplini anii, s\u0103 am a lua din casa d-tale ce voi vrea eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce fel de vorb\u0103-i asta? Poate c\u0103 tu \u00eei b\u0103r\u0103ni atunci s\u0103-mi iei sufletul din mine, ori mai \u015ftiu eu ce dracul \u0163i-a veni \u00een cap s\u0103 ceri!?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, bade Ipate, n-aibi grij\u0103; nu \u0163i-oi mai cere vrun lucru mare p\u00e2n\u0103 pe-acolo. \u015e-apoi, ce \u0163i-oi lua eu din cas\u0103 nu-\u0163i face trebuin\u0163\u0103 d-tale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi na! zise Ipate. M\u0103soar\u0103-i vorba cu \u00eembl\u0103ciul. Balan s\u0103-\u0163i aleag\u0103 din gur\u0103 ce spui, dac\u0103 nu vorbe\u015fti deslu\u015fit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, bade Ipate, unde-i vorb\u0103, nu-i m\u00e2nie: mai bine s\u0103 te tocme\u015fti \u00eent\u00e2i, dec\u00e2t pe urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi aceasta-\u0163i spun \u015fi eu, m\u0103i, ciotul dracului! dezleag\u0103 odat\u0103 calul de la gard, s\u0103 \u015ftiu eu atunci, de-oi ajunge cu s\u0103n\u0103tate, ce-i al t\u0103u \u015fi ce-i al meu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u0103, bade Ipate, las\u0103, nu te mai pune \u015fi d-ta at\u00e2ta pentru te miri ce \u015fi mai nimica, c\u0103 doar n-are s\u0103 fie un cap de \u0163ar\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Chiric\u0103, \u015ftii una? r\u0103m\u00e2i la mine, \u015fi ne-om \u00eemp\u0103ca noi atunci. Te v\u0103d c\u0103 e\u015fti un b\u0103iat iste\u0163 \u015fi, mai \u015ftii p\u0103catul?, poate \u015fi harnic; sameni a fi \u015ftiind de unde s\u0103 iei lucrul \u015fi unde s\u0103-l pui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Despre aceasta n-aibi grij\u0103, bade, zise Chiric\u0103. Nu c\u0103uta c\u0103-s mic, dar trebile care \u0163i le-oi face eu, nu le-a face altul, m\u0103car s\u0103 fie cu stea \u00een frunte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai \u015ftii? Bine-ar fi, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103, dac-ar fi toate cu lapte c\u00e2te le spui. Dar tu curat c\u0103 ai dat peste un st\u0103p\u00e2n ca p\u00e2inea cea bun\u0103; numai s\u0103 avem vorba dinainte, s\u0103 nu fii r\u0103u de gur\u0103, c-apoi mi-i s\u0103 nu m\u0103 sco\u0163i din s\u0103rite \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 faci c\u00e2teodat\u0103 s\u0103-mi ies din r\u0103bu\u015f afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici despre asta nu m\u0103 tem c\u0103-i b\u0103nui, bade Ipate., Vas\u0103zic\u0103, ne-am \u00een\u0163eles. De-acum vin\u0103 de-i m\u00e2nca \u015fi tu ceva. Iaca ni\u015fte bulughine cu mujdei \u015fi cu m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103. Hai! d\u0103-i colb \u015f-apoi te apuc\u0103 de treab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul se pune ciob\u0103ne\u015fte \u00eentr-un genunchi, \u00eembuc\u0103 repede ce \u00eembuc\u0103 \u015fi apoi se duce dup\u0103 trebi. \u015ei a\u015fa era Chiric\u0103 de lini\u015ftit \u015fi de harnic la trebile lui, c\u0103 parc\u0103 era de-acolo de c\u00e2nd l-a f\u0103cut m\u0103-sa, \u015fi Ipate se \u00eendemna cu d\u00e2nsul, uitase acum de ur\u00e2t \u015fi huzurea de bine, \u015fi din ziua \u00een care s-a tocmit Chiric\u0103 la Ipate, norocul \u00eei curgea g\u00e2rl\u0103 din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, \u015fi nu mai \u015ftia ce are la casa lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce garduri stre\u015finite cu spini, de mai nici v\u00e2ntul putea r\u0103zbate printre ele! Ce \u015furi \u015fi ocoale pentru boi \u015fi vaci, perdea pentru oi, poie\u0163i pentru p\u0103s\u0103ri, cote\u0163e pentru porci, s\u00e2s\u00e2iac pentru p\u0103pu\u015foi, hambare pentru gr\u00e2u \u015fi c\u00e2te alte lucruri de gospod\u0103rie, f\u0103cute de m\u00e2na lui Chiric\u0103, c\u00e2t ai bate din palme! S\u0103 nu spun minciuni, dar Ipate se \u00eembog\u0103\u0163ise \u00eensutit \u015fi \u00eenmiit de c\u00e2nd a venit Chiric\u0103 \u00een slujb\u0103 la d\u00e2nsul. Acum v\u0103zuse el ce poate Chiric\u0103, \u015fi-i era drag ca ochii din cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecur\u0103 vreo doi ani la mijloc \u015fi \u00een una din zile Chiric\u0103 zise st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, s\u0103 nu b\u0103nuie\u015fti, da\u2019 am s\u0103 zic \u015fi eu o vorb\u0103: de ce nu te \u00eensori? C\u0103 m\u00e2ine-poim\u00e2ine te-i trezi c\u0103 ai \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nit, \u015fi nu-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2ne nici un urma\u015f. Dup\u0103 via\u0163\u0103 este \u015fi moarte. De unde \u015ftii ce se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103, fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu! \u015fi atunci, cui r\u0103m\u00e2ne at\u00e2ta avere?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce vorbe\u015fti tu, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103? Dac\u0103 nu m-am \u00eensurat eu c\u00e2nd am fost de \u00eensurat, apoi la vremea asta \u0163i-ai g\u0103sit s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eensor? Pesemne vrei s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 dracul r\u00e2s de mine\u2026 Nu vezi c\u0103 a trecut soarele de-amiaz\u0103: sunt mai mult b\u0103tr\u00e2n dec\u00e2t t\u00e2n\u0103r.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ia las\u0103-m\u0103 la p\u00e2rdalnicul, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u0103-i speria oamenii cu vorbele d-tale! Nu te mai face a\u015fa de b\u0103tr\u00e2n, c\u0103 doar nu \u0163i-i vremea trecut\u0103. Eu g\u00e2ndesc c\u0103 tocmai acum e\u015fti bun de \u00eensurat; pentru c\u0103 ai cu ce s\u0103 \u0163ii nevasta \u015fi copiii. Slav\u0103 Domnului! mul\u0163i ar dori s\u0103 aib\u0103 ceea ce ai d-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162i-ai g\u0103sit, zise Ipate. Parc\u0103 e\u015fti nu \u015ftiu cum, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103; vorbe\u015fti \u015fi tu, ia a\u015fa, \u00een dodii, c\u00e2teodat\u0103. Am eu sem\u0103n\u0103turi? am eu toate cele trebuincioase pentru cas\u0103? Tu crezi c\u0103 numai a\u015fa se \u0163ine femeia\u2026 Vorba ceea: “C\u00e2nd se-nsoar\u0103, nu-i de moar\u0103.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De asta te pl\u00e2ngi, st\u0103p\u00e2ne?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi, de care alt\u0103, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103? Nu \u015ftii tu c\u0103 gura \u00eenainte de toate \u015fi apoi celelalte?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, dac\u0103-i numai at\u00e2ta, apoi las\u2019 c\u0103 te fac eu cu gr\u00e2u, s\u0103 ai de unde face p\u00e2ine \u015fi colaci pentru nunt\u0103, ba \u015fi pentru cum\u0103trie dac\u0103 vrei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi d-ta, colo departe, ni\u015fte lanuri frumoase de gr\u00e2u care d\u0103 \u00een copt?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Le v\u0103d., Du-te chiar acum la st\u0103p\u00e2nul mo\u015fiei \u015fi-i spune c\u0103 te prinzi s\u0103-i dai \u00een girezi tot gr\u00e2ul c\u00e2t \u00eel are sem\u0103nat. \u015ei dac\u0103 te-a \u00eentreba c\u00e2t s\u0103-\u0163i dea pentru aceast\u0103 ostenicioas\u0103 treab\u0103, spune-i c\u0103 nu prime\u015fti bani, ci numai at\u00e2ta gr\u00e2u, cu paie cu tot, c\u00e2t \u00eei putea duce d-ta \u00een spate \u015fi cu un b\u0103iat al d-tale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum asta, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103? Parc\u0103 vorbe\u015fti de pe ceea lume. Crezi tu c\u0103 vom putea noi singuri secera \u015fi str\u00e2nge at\u00e2ta amar de gr\u00e2u, c\u0103 doar sute \u015fi mii de bra\u0163e trebuiesc acolo, nu \u015fag\u0103! \u015e-apoi, numai pentru dou\u0103 sarcini de gr\u00e2u? Ce nebun ai crede tu c-ar fi acela?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, ca s\u0103 cuno\u015fti cine sunt eu \u015fi c\u00e2t pot, ascult\u0103- m\u0103 \u015fi du-te la boier de-i spune cum te-am \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, cu un g\u00e2nd s\u0103 se duc\u0103 \u015fi cu zece nu. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, \u00ee\u015fi ia el inima-n din\u0163i \u015fi se duce la curte s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce are s\u0103 fie \u015fi, cum ajunge, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea boierului \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu v\u0103 sup\u0103ra\u0163i, cucoane! Nu cumva ave\u0163i trebuin\u0163\u0103 de secer\u0103tori?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba \u00eenc\u0103 mare nevoie am, om bun; parc\u0103 Dumnezeu te-a adus. C\u0103ci gr\u00e2ul e copt, nu mai poate suferi \u00eent\u00e2rziere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi, cucoane, m\u0103 prind eu s\u0103 \u0163i-l secer., Cum, singur?, Asta-i treaba mea, cucoane. Eu m\u0103 prind s\u0103 \u0163i-l dau girezi. Nu-i cuv\u00e2nt gospod\u0103resc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum v\u0103d, te bizuie\u015fti \u00een bra\u0163e multe., Multe, cucoane, pu\u0163ine, cucoane, c\u00e2te-a dat Dumnezeu; numai treaba s-o fac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015e-apoi ce mi-i cere, a\u015fa cu hurta?, Ce s\u0103 cer, cucoane, ia c\u00e2nd \u0163i-oi da gr\u00e2ul \u00een girezi, s\u0103 am voie a lua numai at\u00e2ta gr\u00e2u, cu paie cu tot, c\u00e2t oi putea duce \u00een spate eu \u015fi c-un b\u0103ietan al meu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i omule, vorbe\u015fti \u00eenadins ori vrei s\u0103 \u015fuguie\u015fti?, Ba fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu, cucoane, vorbesc \u00eenadins. Boierul a crezut c\u0103 Ipate e nebun \u015fi voia s\u0103 se m\u00e2ntuie de d\u00e2nsul, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103-i a\u015fa, om bun, du-te m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi te apuc\u0103 de lucru; oi vedea eu ce treab\u0103-i face \u015fi ne-om \u00eemp\u0103ca noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemp\u0103carea, cum \u0163i-am spus, cucoane., Ei, du-te, du-te, \u015fi las\u2019! s\u0103 vedem! Atunci Ipate se \u00eentoarn\u0103 acas\u0103, \u015fi Chiric\u0103 \u00eel \u00eentreab\u0103:, Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, cum a r\u0103mas cu boierul?, Cum s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103! Ia, m-am prins h\u0103t \u015fi bine s\u0103-i dau gr\u00e2ul \u00een girezi, dup\u0103 cum ai zis. Dar m-a luat groaza c\u00e2nd am trecut pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 lan \u015fi l-am v\u0103zut c\u00e2tu-i de mare. Asta-i o treab\u0103 foarte grea \u015fi mare lucru s\u0103 fie ca s-o putem noi scoate la cap\u0103t. \u015etiu eu tare bine c\u0103 boierul m-a luat de nebun, dar nici cu minte nu sunt, dup\u0103 c\u00e2t v\u0103d eu acum. Dracul \u015ftie ce avem s\u0103 facem!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-aibi grij\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u0103 doar e\u015fti cu mine! zise Chiric\u0103., Ia mai bine s\u0103 lu\u0103m cele trebuitoare \u015fi haidem acolo chiar \u00een ast\u0103-sar\u0103, ca m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 ni se fac\u0103 ziu\u0103 pe lan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa se iau ei am\u00e2ndoi \u015fi se duc. \u015ei cum ajung acolo, cam pe \u00eenseratelea, Ipate zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi tu, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103? asta nu-i \u015fag\u0103; mi se pare c\u0103 noi avem s\u0103 d\u0103m peste dracul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, \u015ftii ce? culc\u0103-te \u015fi te odihne\u015fte, \u015fi m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103 vom vorbi am\u00e2ndoi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, ca cel cu grija \u00een spate, se fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103 el cu mintea c\u00e2t se mai fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103 \u015fi, obosit fiind, se l\u0103s\u0103 oleac\u0103 jos pe iarb\u0103 \u015fi adormi dus. Chiric\u0103 atunci, el \u015ftie ce face \u015fi cum face, c\u0103 \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 adun\u0103 toat\u0103 dr\u0103cimea \u015fi-o pune la lucru pe c\u00e2mp. Unii secerau, al\u0163ii legau snopi, al\u0163ii f\u0103ceau cl\u0103i \u015fi suflau cu n\u0103rile s\u0103 se usuce, al\u0163ii c\u0103rau, al\u0163ii durau girezi, m\u0103 rog, claca dracului era! ce s\u0103 spun mai mult?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se treze\u015fte Ipate, \u00een zori de ziu\u0103, se sperie ce vede: totul era m\u00e2ntuit; \u00een locul gr\u00e2ului de pe c\u00e2mp vede acum o giread\u0103 mare \u015fi dou\u0103 mai mici, a\u015fezate pe culmea dealului, iar\u0103 pe Chiric\u0103 nu-l vede nic\u0103ieri. Atunci lui Ipate i s-a suit tot p\u0103rul \u00een v\u00e2rful capului de fric\u0103 \u015fi a \u00eenceput a c\u0103uta pe Chiric\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. \u015ei c\u00e2nd colo, numai ce iat\u0103 c\u0103-l v\u0103zu dormind pe v\u00e2rful unei girezi, \u015fi atunci \u00ee\u015fi mai veni pu\u0163in \u00een fire. Feciorii boiere\u015fti se scular\u0103 cu noaptea-n cap, cum \u00eei treaba lor, \u015fi venir\u0103 pe lanuri s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce mai este. \u015ei c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 ei una ca aceasta, \u00eei cuprinse spaima, \u015fi fuga la boier, de-i vestir\u0103. Boierul atunci se scoal\u0103 iute, se azv\u00e2rle pe un cal \u015fi \u0163ine numai o fug\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la lanuri, \u015fi c\u00e2nd colo, vede \u015fi el ce nu se mai v\u0103zuse \u015fi nu se mai auzise de c\u00e2nd lumea \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, cucoane, am m\u00e2ntuit trebu\u015foara, zise Ipate. Bine c\u0103 a\u0163i apucat a veni \u015fi d-voastr\u0103, ca s\u0103 fi\u0163i de fa\u0163\u0103 c\u00e2nd ne-om lua dreptul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Chiric\u0103, nici una, nici dou\u0103, scoate o funie cu care era \u00eencins, leag\u0103 bine gireada cea mare, cum \u015ftie el, o ia \u00een spate \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-i drumul. Iar\u0103 boierul, mai v\u0103z\u00e2nd \u015fi aceasta, a \u00eencremenit cu m\u00e2inile subsuori, uit\u00e2ndu-se la d\u00e2nsul cum se ducea. \u015ei crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 de-acum \u015fi Ipate are s\u0103 ia cele dou\u0103 girezi mici \u015fi-l calice\u015fte de tot, cr\u0103pa de necaz, dar n-avea \u00eencotro. \u015ei ne\u015ftiind ce s\u0103 fac\u0103, zise lui Ipate cu bini\u015forul:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Om bun, na-\u0163i bani \u00een locul gr\u00e2ului ce mai ai a lua, \u015fi las\u0103-m\u0103 \u00een pace. N-am crezut c\u0103 am a face cu dracul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu, cucoane, cruce de aur cu noi \u00een cas\u0103! Departe de pe locurile aceste! Ba, z\u0103u, am muncit de-a dat inima din noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u0103-m\u0103 \u00eencolo, m\u0103i omule; pesemne tu ai s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenve\u0163i pe mine ce-i plug\u0103ria!? C\u0103 doar nu sam\u0103n eu gr\u00e2u de ieri, de alalt\u0103ieri, s\u0103 nu fi mai avut a face cu secer\u0103tori! \u015ei chiar de nu-i fi tu Ucig\u0103-l-crucea, tot n-a\u0163i umblat cu lucru curat; \u00eens\u0103 ce-am eu cu sufletul vostru? voi ave\u0163i a da seam\u0103. Prime\u015fte banii, cum \u0163i-am spus, \u015fi mai duce\u0163i-v\u0103 \u015fi la alt\u0103 cas\u0103, c\u0103 eu, unul, \u015ftiu c-am p\u0103\u0163it-o bun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, auzind aceasta, p\u0103rerea lui de bine; ia banii cu c\u00e2t se \u00eenvoie\u015fte \u015fi se duce el dup\u0103 Chiric\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd ajunge acas\u0103, Chiric\u0103 treierase, v\u00e2nturase, m\u0103cinase; \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, pusese toate trebile la cale. \u015ei Ipate, c\u00e2nd a mai v\u0103zut \u015fi asta, nu mai \u015ftia ce s\u0103 zic\u0103; mai c\u0103-i venea a crede c\u0103 \u015fi el are a face cu dracul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Chiric\u0103, d-apoi \u015ftii c\u0103 \u015fi boierul, c\u00e2tu-i de boier, a pus-o de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103. Iaca, mi-a dat \u015fi bani de am adus acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ace\u015ftia-s buni, st\u0103p\u00e2ne; pune-i la chimir \u015fi taci molcum. Am \u015ftiut eu dinainte c\u0103 are s\u0103 ne ias\u0103 \u015fi de cheltuial\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi dup\u0103 asta, Chiric\u0103 zise lui Ipate:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, de-acum cred c\u0103 n-ai ce mai zice: ca m\u00e2inepoim\u00e2ine mi se \u00eemplinesc anii, \u015fi r\u0103m\u00e2i f\u0103r\u2019 de mine. Mai nainte, calea-valea; erai deprins a tr\u0103i singur, dar acum are s\u0103-\u0163i cad\u0103 greu; mai ales c\u0103 \u0163i s-a \u00eengreuiat \u015fi gospod\u0103ria. Hai, ce zici, te \u00eensori ori ba?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103, \u015ftiu eu ce s\u0103 fac? Parc\u0103 tot m-a\u015f \u00eensura; c\u00e2nd a\u015f da peste-o parte bun\u0103, a\u015f face poate \u015fi eu pasul acesta. Dar tare m\u0103 tem nu cumva s\u0103-mi iau pe dracul dup\u0103 cap, s\u0103-l aduc cu l\u0103utari \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi pe urm\u0103 s\u0103 nu-l pot scoate nici cu o mie de popi; c-apoi atunci, lehamete \u015fi de \u00eensurat, \u015fi de avere, \u015fi de tot!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De asta \u0163i-i acum \u00een grij\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2ne? dac-a r\u0103mas treaba p\u00e2n\u0103 la at\u00e2ta, apoi las\u2019 pe mine, c\u0103 te-oi face eu s\u0103 iei un dr\u0103gu\u0163 de femeie care nu se mai afl\u0103! C\u0103ci eu \u015fed c\u0103lare \u00een inima lor \u015fi, nu c\u0103 m\u0103 laud, dar \u015ftiu toate m\u0103runtaiele dintr-\u00eensele. Despre asta nu mi-e ru\u015fine; pot s\u0103-\u0163i aleg una \u015fi noaptea p-\u00eentuneric. Pentru altul n-a\u015f face-o, s\u0103 \u015ftiu c\u0103 mi-ar da lumea de pe lume, dar pe d-ta vreau numaidec\u00e2t s\u0103 te v\u0103d om ca to\u0163i oamenii, \u00een r\u00e2nd cu lumea. Nu vezi c\u0103 cei mai mul\u0163i de teapa d-tale se \u0163in cu nasul pe sus numai din pricina asta? Ca \u015fi cum parc\u0103 d-ta n-ai fi vrednic s\u0103 \u0163ii o femeie!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Chiric\u0103, tare mai e\u015fti \u015fi tu nu \u015ftiu cum! sco\u0163i omul din min\u0163i cu vorbele tale. Bun staroste mi-am g\u0103sit! Nu \u015ftiu cine te-a \u00eendreptat la casa mea, c\u0103 \u015ftiu c\u0103 e\u015fti berechet bun. \u015e-apoi, mult stau eu c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc \u00een mintea mea, de unde ai tu at\u00e2ta putere? Mai c\u0103-mi vine s\u0103 zic \u015fi eu, ca boierul cela. Nu \u015ftiu, n\u0103luc\u0103 s\u0103 fii, om s\u0103 fii, dracul s\u0103 fii, dar nici lucru curat nu e\u015fti. Numai fii ce-i fi, asta nu m\u0103 prive\u015fte; mie unuia \u015ftiu c\u0103 mi-ai priit bine, n-am ce zice! Ei, ia spune, cum zici tu c\u0103 mi-i alege femeie?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, \u00een duminica viitoare, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, s\u0103 mergem \u00een sat la hor\u0103. Eu oi sta deoparte, cu b\u0103ie\u0163ii, iar d-ta s\u0103 te prinzi \u00een joc l\u00e2ng-o fat\u0103 care \u0163i-a pl\u0103cea. Eu atunci mi-oi t\u00e2r\u00e2i piciorul pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d-ta, oi ochi-o bine \u015fi apoi \u0163i-oi spune eu ce zace \u00eentr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 \u015ftii c-ai chitit-o bine, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103?! Tot cu draci e\u015fti tu, bine zic eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, \u00een ziua de azi, dac\u0103 nu-i fi \u015fi cu draci oleac\u0103, apoi cic\u0103 te fur\u0103 sfin\u0163ii \u015fi iar nu-i bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ce spun ei, ce nu mai spun, cum vine duminica, Ipate \u015fi cu Chiric\u0103 se iau \u015fi se duc la hor\u0103 \u00een sat. Chiric\u0103, cum \u00eei treaba b\u0103ie\u0163ilor, se ac\u0103\u0163\u0103ra pe cele garduri \u015fi se hlizea cu ceilal\u0163i b\u0103ie\u0163i. Iar Ipate, de cuv\u00e2nt; se prinde \u00een joc l\u00e2ng\u0103 o fat\u0103, care chite\u015fte c\u0103 i-ar cam veni la socoteal\u0103; \u00eencepe el a o m\u0103sura cu ochii de sus p\u00e2n\u0103 jos \u015fi de jos p\u00e2n\u0103 sus \u015fi, cum se \u00eenv\u00e2rtea hora, ba o str\u00e2ngea pe fat\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103, ba o c\u0103lca pe picior, ba\u2026 cum e treaba fl\u0103c\u0103ilor. \u015ei tropai, tropai, ropai, ropai! i se aprind lui Ipate al nostru c\u0103lc\u0103iele. Chiric\u0103 era \u015fi el pe-acolo, \u015fi, cum se las\u0103 Ipate din joc, spiridu\u015ful dracului \u00eei zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, parc\u0103 te-ai cam aburit la fa\u0163\u0103, nu \u015ftiu cum; ce zici, a\u015fa-i c\u0103-\u0163i vine la socoteal\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, nu \u015ftiu cum s\u0103 mai zic \u015fi eu; pesemne p\u0103catele mele mi te-au scos \u00eenainte, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103. Eu g\u00e2ndesc s-o pornesc pe treab\u0103, fata-i hazulie \u015fi m-a fermecat de-acum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, st\u0103p\u00e2ne; dac\u0103-i vrea s\u0103 m\u0103 ascul\u0163i, eu te sf\u0103tuiesc s\u0103 n-o iei pe asta. \u015ei focu-i hazuliu, dar tare r\u0103u te p\u00e2rjole\u015fte c\u00e2teodat\u0103. Feti\u015foara asta, o vezi d-ta c\u00e2t e de scump\u0103 la r\u00e2s? Parc\u0103 \u0163i-ar veni a crede c\u0103-i de cele cu crucea-n s\u00e2n, dar, ia, una de aceste a \u00een\u0103lbit odat\u0103, numai \u00eentr-o singur\u0103 noapte, pe mo\u015fu-meu \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum asta, m\u0103 Chiric\u0103?, Da\u2019, ia nu mai \u015fti \u015fi d-ta cum, st\u0103p\u00e2ne!, Ian auzi-l, mai degrab\u0103 i-ai putea str\u00e2mba f\u0103lcile dec\u00e2t vorba! M\u0103i Chiric\u0103, eu g\u00e2ndesc c\u0103 s-a da dup\u0103 mine \u015fi s-a face \u015fi ea mai bun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00ce\u2026 h\u00ee! da, cum nu? Eu \u00eens\u0103 \u00ee\u0163i spun prietene\u015fte c\u0103 feti\u015foara asta are trei coaste de drac \u00eentr-\u00eensa; \u015fi chiar \u015fi cea mai bun\u0103 dintre femei \u00eenc\u0103 tot mai are una. S\u0103 te mai la\u015fi, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, p\u00e2n-om da m\u0103car peste una de acelea, \u015f-apoi \u0163i-oi mai spune eu ce mai este de f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103, tu m-ai tot cih\u0103it de cap p\u00e2n\u0103 acum, s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eensor, s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eensor, de mi-ai aprins pofta de \u00eensurat, \u015fi apoi, acum, tot tu o \u015furubuie\u015fti \u015fi-o \u00eentorci, cum \u00ee\u0163i vine \u0163ie la socoteal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, \u015ftii c\u0103 eu nu-\u0163i voiesc r\u0103ul; ascult\u0103-m\u0103, c\u0103 n-ai s\u0103 gre\u015fe\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, auzind a\u015fa, se d\u0103 dup\u0103 Chiric\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eentoarn\u0103 ei seara acas\u0103 tot cum s-au dus. \u00cens\u0103 cum ajunge acas\u0103, parc\u0103 nu era acela; muncea el, nu muncea, dar \u015ftiu c\u0103 se fr\u0103m\u00e2nta cu g\u00e2ndurile \u015fi de-abia a\u015ftepta s\u0103 vin\u0103 duminica viitoare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Duminica vine, \u015fi ei iar\u0103 se duc la hor\u0103, \u00een alt sat. Chiric\u0103, dup\u0103 obiceiul s\u0103u, se ia cu b\u0103ie\u0163ii, iar\u0103 Ipate se prinde \u00een joc l\u00e2ng\u0103 o fat\u0103, care o chite\u015fte el; joac\u0103 c\u00e2t joac\u0103 \u015fi l\u00e2ng\u0103 aceea, \u015fi, intr\u00e2nd \u00een vorb\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsa, fata, bun\u0103 mehenghe, \u00eei \u00eentoarce capul \u015fi Ipate vede c\u0103 nu-i de lep\u0103dat. Dar Chiric\u0103 era \u015fi el pe-acolo \u015fi, cum se las\u0103 Ipate de joc, \u00eei zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, cum v\u0103d eu, nici de asta nu te-ai da \u00een l\u0103turi; a\u015fa-i c\u0103 \u0163i-a c\u0103zut tronc la inim\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai a\u015fa, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi \u00ee\u0163i spun eu, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u0103 nici asta nu-i de noi. O vezi c\u00e2t e de p\u00e2\u015fin\u0103, dar \u015fi asta are dou\u0103 coaste de drac \u00eentr-\u00eensa. S\u0103 te mai la\u015fi, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, cum \u0163i-am spus eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103; \u00een ziua de azi nu \u015ftiu, z\u0103u, care-a mai fi cu crucea-n s\u00e2n, cum cau\u0163i tu\u2026 Eu g\u00e2ndesc c\u0103 tot om alege, om alege, p\u00e2n-om culege.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, st\u0103p\u00e2ne; las\u0103 pe mine, c\u0103 \u015ftiu eu ce fac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ipate iar se las\u0103 dup\u0103 cum zice Chiric\u0103, \u015fi se \u00eentoarn\u0103 ei seara acas\u0103 tot cum s-au dus. Dar Ipate, acum, nici de treab\u0103 nu-\u015fi mai c\u0103uta, nici m\u00e2ncarea nu se prindea de d\u00e2nsul, nici somnul nu-l fura, era cum e mai r\u0103u; toat\u0103 ziua prindea buburuzi \u015fi, pun\u00e2ndu-i pe dosul m\u00e2inii, zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Buburuz, buburuz,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencotro vei zbura<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-acolo m-oi \u00eensura.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D\u0103, ce s\u0103-i zici? d\u0103duse \u015fi el \u00een p\u00e2rp\u0103ra \u00eensuratului. \u015e-apoi \u015fti\u0163i c\u0103 este-o vorb\u0103: c\u00e2nd \u00eei omul \u00een doi peri, s\u0103 te fere\u015fti de d\u00e2nsul, c-atunci e cum \u00eei mai r\u0103u. Vorba ceea: “Arde focu-n paie ude”. A\u015fa \u015fi Ipate, tot sughi\u0163a, tot ofta din greu \u015fi de-abia a\u015ftepta s\u0103 vin\u0103 duminica.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Duminica iar vine, \u015fi ei acum se iau \u015fi se duc la joc \u00een alt sat. \u015ei cum ajung acolo, Ipate se \u015fi prinde \u00een joc l\u00e2ng\u0103 un pui\u015for de fat\u0103 c\u0103reia \u00eei jucau ochii \u00een cap ca la o \u015ferpoaic\u0103. Se \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase \u015fi el, \u015firetul, a le alege a\u015fa de pe deasupra, dar numai Chiric\u0103 b\u0103iatul \u015ftia ce zace \u00een inima lor \u015fi c\u00e2t le poate calul; c\u0103 ce-i mai greu de ales dec\u00e2t omul? Dar Chiric\u0103 era \u015fi el pe-acolo. \u015ei ce-a f\u0103cut el, ce-a dres, c\u0103 fetei \u015fi lui Ipate au \u00eenceput a le sf\u00e2r\u00e2i inima unul dup\u0103 altul. Boldul Satanei se vede c\u0103-i \u00eenghimpase. \u015ei cum se las\u0103 Ipate din joc, Chiric\u0103 \u00eel trage deoparte \u015fi-l \u00eentreab\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, cum \u0163i se pare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum s\u0103 mi se par\u0103, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103? Ia, parc\u0103-mi vine s-o sorb cu ochii, de drag\u0103 ce-mi e; dac\u0103 n-a mai fi nici asta, apoi nu m\u0103 mai \u00eensor niciodat\u0103, c\u0103 destul mi-ai tulburat min\u0163ile p\u00e2n-acum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta-i bun\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2ne! zise Chiric\u0103. Nu-i vorb\u0103, c\u0103 tot are \u015fi ea o coast\u0103 de drac; dar, tr\u0103ind \u015fi nemurind, i-om scoate-o noi \u015fi pe-aceea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci, bucuria lui Ipate! \u00cencepe a se \u0163ine de fat\u0103 ca scaiul de oaie. \u015ei unde nu \u0163i-o \u00een\u015ffac\u0103 pe sus, \u015fi se iau ei ba din t\u00e2lcuri, ba din cimilituri, ba din p\u0103c\u0103lit, ba din una, ba din alta \u015fi, de cole p\u00e2n\u0103 colea, \u015fi-au pl\u0103cut unul altuia. \u015ei Ipate, nemaiav\u00e2nd r\u0103bdare, se \u015fi duce la tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u015fi la m\u0103-sa, de-o cere. Vorba ceea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vin\u2019 la mama de m\u0103 cere:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De m-a da, de nu m-a da,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste noapte mi-i fura.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103rin\u0163ii fetei, c\u00e2nd aud asta, au de bucurie c\u0103 le-a picat un om a\u015fa de bun \u015fi o dau cu m\u00e2neci largi. Peste c\u00e2teva zile nunta se face, \u015fi Ipate \u00ee\u015fi ia femeia, cu zestre cu tot, o duce acas\u0103 la d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi pace bun\u0103! \u015ei a\u015fa tr\u0103iau ei de bine \u015fi se iubeau unul pe altul, ca ni\u015fte huluba\u015fi. \u015ei Ipate, fiind foarte mul\u0163umit de asta, zise \u00eentr-o zi:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103, bun suflet de femeie mai am! Bine mi-am ales-o!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, nu-i cuv\u00e2nt, dar \u015ftii c\u0103 este-o vorb\u0103: “C\u00e2nd nici nu g\u00e2nde\u015fti, atunci te tr\u00e2nte\u015fte!”; las\u2019 s\u0103 vedem. Ia adu-\u0163i aminte ce \u0163i-am spus odat\u0103, c\u0103 \u015fi asta, c\u00e2t \u00eei de bun\u0103 \u015fi blajin\u0103, tot are o coast\u0103 de drac \u00eentr-\u00eensa, care trebuie scoas\u0103 numaidec \u00e2t, dac\u0103 \u0163i-i voia s\u0103 ai femeie cum trebuie \u015fi s-o duci cu d\u00e2nsa p\u00e2n\u0103 la ad\u00e2nci b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, nu \u015ftiu cine \u0163i-a mai putea intra \u015fi \u0163ie \u00een voie, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103. C\u00e2te \u015ftii tu, numai dracul cred c\u0103 poate s\u0103-\u0163i dea de fund.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar nu se \u00eempline\u015fte bine anul, \u015fi femeia lui Ipate face un b\u0103iat. La vro dou\u0103-trei luni dup\u0103 asta, Ipate se treze\u015fte \u00eentr-o zi cu socru-s\u0103u c\u0103 vine \u015fi-l cheam\u0103 la nunta unui frate al femeii sale. Chiric\u0103, sim\u0163ind toate, cum \u00eei dracul, trage pe st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u la o parte \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, las\u0103 s\u0103 se duc\u0103 numai nevasta d-tale cu copilul, iar d-ta spune c\u0103, de-i avea vreme s\u0103 te duci mai pe urm\u0103, bine-de-bine, iar\u0103 de nu, s\u0103 te ierte. \u015ei dup\u0103 asta, \u0163i-oi mai spune eu ce-i de f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, deprins a asculta pe Chiric\u0103, zice socrului s\u0103u:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, eu n-oi putea merge, c\u0103, dup\u0103 cum vezi, am tare multe trebi pe capul meu \u015fi numai cu un arg\u0103\u0163el ce-l am de-abia le pot dovedi. Nevasta mea, \u00eens\u0103, poate s\u0103 mearg\u0103, \u015fi, de m-a ierta vremea s\u0103 pot veni \u015fi eu mai pe urm\u0103, binede,bine, iar\u0103 de nu, te rog s\u0103 m\u0103 ier\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Socru-s\u0103u atunci, nemaiav\u00e2nd ce zice, ia pe nevasta lui Ipate cu copil cu tot \u015fi se ca\u2019 mai duce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen ziua de uncrop, Chiric\u0103 zice lui Ipate:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, ia, acum a venit vremea ca s\u0103 scoatem coasta cea de drac din femeia d-tale. Hai, \u00eencalec\u0103 iute pe cal \u015fi te du la nunt\u0103. Dar s\u0103 \u015ftii de la mine ce ai s\u0103 faci c\u00e2nd vei ajunge acolo. Al\u0103ture cu casa socru-t\u0103u este o c\u0103su\u0163\u0103 tupilat\u0103, \u00een care \u015fede un t\u0103lpoi de bab\u0103, me\u015fte\u015fugoas\u0103 la trebile sale, cum \u00eei sfredelul dracului. Du-te de trage \u00een gazd\u0103 la d\u00e2nsa \u015fi te f\u0103 c\u0103 e\u015fti un drume\u0163 str\u0103in. Pune-te apoi pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea luntre \u015fi punte \u015fi juruie\u015fte-i cerul \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, ca s\u0103-\u0163i smomeasc\u0103 pe nevasta d-tale \u015fi s\u0103 \u0163i-o aduc\u0103 acolo. \u015ei atunci s\u0103 vezi ce pot babele \u015fi c\u00e2t \u00eei de credincioas\u0103 femeia!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103\u2026ra! m\u0103i Chiric\u0103, ce spui tu? Parc\u0103 despre asta mi-a\u015f pune capul la mijloc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu fi a\u015fa de darnic, st\u0103p\u00e2ne. Mai bine cru\u0163\u0103-\u0163i capul, c\u0103 poate \u0163i-a mai trebui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar oare nu m-or cunoa\u015fte, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103?, N-aibi grij\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, po\u0163i s\u0103 te duci \u015fi pe la nunt\u0103, c\u0103 am f\u0103cut ce \u015ftiu eu, \u015fi nime n-are s\u0103 te cunoasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate, voind s\u0103 se \u00eencredin\u0163eze \u015fi despre asta, ascult\u0103 pe Chiric\u0103 \u015fi se duce. \u015ei cum ajunge \u00een sat, trage la gazd\u0103 la bab\u0103, o ia cam pe departe \u015fi-i spune ca s\u0103-i aduc\u0103 desear\u0103 pe nevasta lui Stan din satul cutare la d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba, c\u00e2nd aude asta, pune m\u00e2na la gur\u0103, clatin\u0103 din cap \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, om bun, cum crezi d-ta c\u0103 a\u015f face eu una ca asta, mai ales c\u0103 femeia are b\u0103rbat bun, frumos \u015fi bogat \u015fi nu-i de-acele de care g\u00e2nde\u015fti d-ta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Ipate scoate plosca de la obl\u00e2nc, d\u0103 babei vreo c\u00e2teva g\u00e2turi de rachiu \u015fi apoi \u00eei mai \u00eentinde o pung\u0103 \u0163o\u015fc\u0103 de bani, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, de mi-i face acest bine, atunci s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 ai s\u0103 ai mai multe de la mine. Fii bine \u00eencredin\u0163at\u0103 c\u0103 n-are s\u0103 ne \u015ftie nici p\u0103m\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba, deodat\u0103, st\u0103 pe g\u00e2nduri; parc\u0103 n-ar fi prea voit nici treaba s-o fac\u0103, dar nici punga s-o lase. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, mai \u015fede ea pe g\u00e2nduri c\u00e2t \u015fede, apoi ia punga \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Om bun, m\u00e2nca-te-ar puricii s\u0103 te m\u0103n\u00e2nce! Eu \u015ftiu ce va s\u0103 zic\u0103 durerea la inim\u0103, bat-o p\u00e2rdalnica s-o bat\u0103! Nu \u015ftiu, z\u0103u, cum a sta \u015fi asta! \u00eemi plesne\u015fte obrazul de ru\u015fine c\u00e2nd g\u00e2ndesc cum am s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fez \u00eenaintea femeii celea cu vorbe de-acestea\u2026 M\u0103 duc \u015fi eu \u00eentr-un noroc, s\u0103 vedem, \u015fi de-oi putea face ceva, bine-de-bine, iar\u0103 de nu, mi-i crede \u015fi d-ta, c\u0103 \u015ftiu cum se fac de greu trebile acestea, \u015fi rar le scoatem la cap\u0103t.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Crede \u015fi d-ta, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, c\u0103 de-i face pe treab\u0103, n-are s\u0103-\u0163i fie degeaba.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci baba zice:, S\u0103 vedem; \u00eentrebarea n-are gre\u015f. Mai \u015ftii de unde sare iepurele? Mai ales c\u0103 b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u nu este aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi, cam \u00eenspre sear\u0103, las\u0103 pe drume\u0163 singur \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi se duce al\u0103turea la nunt\u0103 \u015fi, cum ajunge, trage pe nevasta lui Ipate deoparte, \u00eei spune codo\u015fca c\u00e2te \u015fi mai multe \u015f-o face pe femeie s\u0103 se alunece cu mintea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, zice nevasta, d-apoi oare cum om face noi ca s\u0103 fie mai bine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acesta nu-i vrun lucru p\u00e2n\u2019 pe-acolo, copil\u0103, h\u0103i, zise baba. Ia, du-te \u00een cas\u0103, treze\u015fte-\u0163i copilul din somn, \u015fi el atunci are s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a pl\u00e2nge; pe urm\u0103 pi\u015fc\u0103-l tot c\u00e2te-oleac\u0103, \u015fi el are s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a \u0163ipa. \u015ei atunci tatu-t\u0103u, cum \u00eei el sup\u0103r\u0103cios, are s\u0103 zic\u0103 de la o vreme s\u0103 iei b\u0103iatul \u015fi s\u0103-l dai, ia, \u00eencolo, la baba cea de-al\u0103turea. Tu, cum \u00eei auzi asta, s\u0103 iei b\u0103iatul cu albie cu tot \u015fi s\u0103 vii cu d\u00e2nsul la mine. \u015e-apoi atunci\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Femeia lui Ipate ascult\u0103 de bab\u0103, face cum i-a zis ea \u015fi, pe \u00eenserate, vine la d\u00e2nsa cu copilul \u00een bra\u0163e; \u015fi cum intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103, \u00eencepe a se chicoti \u015fi a spune de la nunt\u0103 multe \u015fi m\u0103runte, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 cunoasc\u0103 pe b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Ipate le d\u0103 de b\u0103ut p\u00e2n\u0103 le ame\u0163e\u015fte pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103, apoi \u00ee\u015fi fur\u0103 copilul din cov\u0103\u0163ic\u0103, dup\u0103 cum \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase Chiric\u0103, \u015fi fuge cu d\u00e2nsul acas\u0103. Chiric\u0103, cum \u00eel vede venind, \u00eei iese \u00eenainte de pe la poart\u0103 \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, minciuni \u0163i-am spus eu, ori ba?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, m\u0103i Chiric\u0103; acum v\u0103d eu ce poate femeia. De-acum nu mai tr\u0103iesc nici un ceas cu d\u00e2nsa; am s-o dau dracului de poman\u0103, soi r\u0103u ce este ea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, s\u0103 nu faci una ca asta, c\u0103 femeia d-tale e una dintre cele mai bune femei. Da\u2019 \u015ftiu eu cine-i de vin\u0103 aici. Las-o \u00eent\u00e2i s\u0103 vin\u0103 acas\u0103, s\u0103-i scoatem costi\u0163a ceea care \u0163i-am spus eu, \u015fi atunci \u00eei vedea d-ta ce lucru de femeie are s\u0103 ias\u0103 dintr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum, s\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem iar din urm\u0103. Femeia lui Ipate \u015fi cu baba, c\u0103nd se trezesc din ame\u0163eal\u0103, nici tu drume\u0163, nici tu copil, nici tu nimica! Atunci odat\u0103 \u00eencep ele a se boci \u00een\u0103du\u015fit \u015fi a se bate cu pumnii peste cap, \u00eens\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 nici un folos! Mai iscode\u015fe ea pe ici, pe colea, s\u0103 vad\u0103, n-a putea afla ceva despre copil, dar copilul parc\u0103 intrase \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei! Acu-i acu. Vai de mine, nevast\u0103, h\u0103i! zise baba; ce p\u0103cat mi-am g\u0103sit cu tine! Dracul \u015ftie ce s\u0103 fac!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum sta baba \u00eempietrit\u0103, dracul \u00eei \u015fi d\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2nd una:, Nevast\u0103, h\u0103i! alta nu-i de f\u0103cut dec\u00e2t s\u0103 \u00een\u015fomolt\u0103cim motanul ista al meu cu ni\u015fte petice, s\u0103-l punem \u00een albiu\u0163\u0103 \u015fi apoi s\u0103 d\u0103m foc casei pe dinl\u0103untru, iar\u0103 noi s\u0103 ie\u015fim afar\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd s-a aprinde mai tare, noi s\u0103 \u00eencepem a ne boci \u00een gura mare \u015fi a striga: foc! foc! \u015fi, p\u00e2n-or s\u0103ri oamenii de la nunt\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce, casa are s\u0103 se topeasc\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd or g\u0103si motanul scrum, au s\u0103 cread\u0103 c\u0103 a ars copilul, \u015fi poate s-o t\u0103m\u0103duim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103 bine zici d-ta, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, asta s-o facem!, S-o facem, s-o facem! Dar eu ce fac tocmai acum, la b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, f\u0103r\u0103 leac de ad\u0103post?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te \u00eengriji de asta, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103 drag\u0103, c\u0103 am s\u0103 te iau cu mine \u015fi-i tr\u0103i pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 noi ca banul cel bun. B\u0103rbatu-meu e cum \u00eei p\u00e2inea cea bun\u0103, \u015fi te-om avea curat ca pe-o mam\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci baba se \u00eenduplec\u0103, c\u0103ci n-are \u00eencotro, dau ele foc casei, \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd sar oamenii, p\u00e2n\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce, \u015fi cas\u0103, \u015fi motan, \u015fi tot se f\u0103cuse scrum. Iar\u0103 ele pl\u00e2ngeau de udau p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de noi \u015fi de noi, copila\u015ful nostru, cum au ars! Oamenii, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-le zbucium\u00e2ndu-se a\u015fa, au \u00eenceput care dincotro s\u0103 le m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie. \u015ei a doua zi, tat\u0103l femeii lui Ipate trimite pe un argat al s\u0103u cu carul cu boi s\u0103 duc\u0103 \u015fi pe bab\u0103 \u015fi pe fiic\u0103-sa la b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u acas\u0103, ar\u0103t\u00e2ndu-se cu mare p\u0103rere de r\u0103u pentru ast\u0103 cumplit\u0103 nenorocire. Pe drum, femeia lui Ipate zice babei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103tu\u015fic\u0103, v\u00e2r\u0103-te ici \u00een sacul acesta, \u015fi c\u00e2nd vom ajunge acas\u0103, \u00eent\u00e2i am s\u0103 spun b\u0103rbatu-meu c\u0103 aici sunt ni\u015fte buci de la m\u0103muca, pentru f\u0103cut saci. \u015ei aceasta numai p\u00e2n\u0103 s-a duce de la noi un tic\u0103los de argat care-l avem, c\u0103 chiar azi i se \u00eempline\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba ascult\u0103 \u015fi se v\u00e2r\u0103 \u00een sac. \u015ei cum ajung acas\u0103 \u015fi trag carul \u00een ograd\u0103, nevasta lui Ipate las\u0103 toate cele \u00een car \u015fi se duce de-a dreptul \u00een cas\u0103, pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd, s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 pe b\u0103rbatus \u0103u \u015fi s\u0103-i spun\u0103 cele \u00eent\u00e2mplate. \u00cens\u0103, c\u00e2nd colo, nici Ipate, nici Chiric\u0103 nu erau acas\u0103. Atunci femeia lui Ipate \u015fi cu argatul t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u t\u0103b\u00e2rcesc sacul cum pot, \u00eel pun \u00eentr- o c\u0103soaie, pe cuptor, dup\u0103 horn, \u015fi apoi ea d\u0103 drumul argatului s\u0103 se duc\u0103 \u00eenapoi. \u015ei cum porne\u015fte acesta, Ipate \u015fi pic\u0103 \u00een loc. Femeia lui, cum \u00eel vede, \u00eencepe a boci \u015fi a zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine \u015fi de mine, b\u0103rbate, ce-am p\u0103\u0163it! Copila\u015ful nostru nu mai este!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eei spune toat\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea, dup\u0103 cum se \u00een\u0163elesese cu baba. Ipate atunci \u00eei zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103, m\u0103i femeie, c\u0103, de-om tr\u0103i, vom fi noi harnici s\u0103 mai facem copii. D\u0103, cu cine s\u0103 te sf\u0103de\u015fti? pesemne a\u015fa a fost s\u0103 fie de la Dumnezeu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum vorbeau ei, numai iaca intr\u0103 \u015fi Chiric\u0103 pe u\u015f\u0103, cu un ciocan, c-o dalt\u0103 \u015fi c-o pereche de cle\u015fti \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103. Femeia lui Ipate, cum \u00eel vede, \u00eencepe a i se t\u00e2ngui \u015fi lui. Dar Chiric\u0103, dup\u0103 ce-o ascult\u0103, zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O crezi, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, ce spune? Nu te mai uita \u00een gura ei! Ia mai bine s-o cin\u0103tuim. Pune-o jos s\u0103-i scoatem costi\u0163a ceea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Ipate odat\u0103 mi \u0163i-o \u015fi \u00een\u015ffac\u0103 de cozi, o tr\u00e2nte\u015fte la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015f-o \u0163ine bine. Iar\u0103 Chiric\u0103 \u00eencepe a-i num\u0103ra coastele din st\u00e2nga, zic\u00e2nd: una, dou\u0103, trei \u015fi, c\u00e2nd la a patra, pune dalta, tr\u00e2nte\u015fte cu ciocanul, o apuc\u0103 cu cle\u015ftele \u015f-o d\u0103 afar\u0103. Apoi a\u015faz\u0103 pielea la loc, pune el ce pune la ran\u0103, \u015fi pe loc se t\u0103m\u0103duie\u015fte. Dup\u0103 aceasta zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, ia de-acum ai femeie cumsecade; numai s-o cam \u0163ii din fr\u00e2u \u015fi s\u0103-i retezi unghiile din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, ca nu cumva s\u0103-\u0163i pun\u0103 coarne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 se duce Chiric\u0103 la casa de al\u0103turea \u015fi aduce copilul. Femeia lui Ipate, c\u00e2nd a mai v\u0103zut \u015fi asta, numai i s-a \u00eencle\u015ftat gura \u015fi a \u00eenghe\u0163at de fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Chiric\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na lui Ipate \u015fi zice:, Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, iaca, chiar azi mi s-au \u00eemplinit anii de slujb\u0103. R\u0103m\u00e2i de-acum s\u0103n\u0103tos, c\u0103 eu m\u0103 duc de unde am venit. Dar s\u0103 \u015ftii de la mine, \u015fi s\u0103 spui \u015fi altora, c\u0103 te-a slujit un drac trei ani de zile, numai pentru un bo\u0163 de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 de pe te\u015fitura din p\u0103dure \u015fi pentru un putregai de c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i ce-mi trebuie\u015fte sub talpa-iadului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, odat\u0103 \u015fi \u00een\u015ffac\u0103 Chiric\u0103 sacul cel de dup\u0103 horn cu bab\u0103 cu tot \u015fi se face nev\u0103zut. Femeia lui Ipate \u00eencepe atunci a \u0163ipa grozav \u015fi a zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Alearg\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, b\u0103rbate, \u015fi nu-l l\u0103sa! C\u00e2l\u0163ii de la m\u0103muca mi i-a luat! din ce mai facem noi saci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ipate \u00eens\u0103 nu avea acum grijile aceste; el era m\u00e2hnit pentru pierderea lui Chiric\u0103, care era bun\u0103tate de b\u0103iat, \u015fi nu \u015ftia unde l-ar g\u0103si, ca s\u0103-i mul\u0163umeasc\u0103 pentru at\u00e2tea binefaceri ce primise de la d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar Chiric\u0103 era acum tocmai \u00een iad \u015fi se desf\u0103ta la s\u00e2nul lui Scaraoschi, iar codo\u015fca de bab\u0103 gemea sub talpa-iadului \u015fi numai motanul ei cel din ceea lume \u00eei pl\u00e2ngea de mil\u0103, pentru c\u0103 l-a cocolit a\u015fa de bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei iaca a\u015fa, oameni buni, s-a izb\u0103vit Ipate \u015fi de dracul \u015fi de bab\u0103, tr\u0103ind \u00een pace cu nevasta \u015fi copiii s\u0103i. \u015ei dup\u0103 aceea, c\u00e2nd \u00eei spunea cumva cineva c\u00e2te ceva de pe undeva, care era cam a\u015fa \u015fi nu a\u015fa, Ipate flutura din cap \u015fi zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia p\u0103zi\u0163i-v\u0103 mai bine treaba \u015fi nu-mi tot spune\u0163i cai verzi pe pere\u0163i, c\u0103 eu sunt Stan P\u0103\u0163itul!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Era odat\u0103 un fl\u0103c\u0103u st\u0103tut, pe care-l chema Stan. \u015ei fl\u0103c\u0103ul acela din copil\u0103ria lui se trezise prin str\u0103ini, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 cunoasc\u0103 tat\u0103 \u015fi mam\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 nici o rud\u0103 … <\/p>\n