\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dincolo de \u201eCrucea de piatr\u0103\u201d, de-a st\u00e2nga \u015eoselei Vitanului, se ridic\u0103 biserica \u201eSf\u00e2nta Troi\u0163a\u201d. M\u00e2ndre\u0163e de biseric\u0103. Ce zugr\u0103veli, pe din\u0103untru \u015fi pe dinafar\u0103, cum arar se mai pomenesc numai la bisericile din vechime. Dar de ascul\u0163i la troi\u0163eni, mai cu seam\u0103 la cei b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, te apuc\u0103 ame\u0163elile c\u00e2nd \u00eencep ei s\u0103-\u015fi ridice biserica \u00een slava cerului. M\u0103 rog, nu au at\u00e2tea degete la am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile c\u00e2te minuni se afl\u0103 \u00een sf\u00e2ntul loca\u015f. \u015ei c\u00e2nd se \u00eencurc\u0103, se fac foc b\u0103tr\u00e2nii troi\u0163eni; ba \u00ee\u015fi mu\u015fc\u0103 degetele la num\u0103r\u0103toare, c\u0103ci iat\u0103, cum au apucat ei s\u0103 numere minunile: ridic\u0103 am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile \u00een dreptul ochilor, \u0163i le v\u00e2r\u0103 sub nas cu degetele r\u0103sfirate, apoi la fiece laud\u0103 zice \u201euna la m\u00e2n\u0103\u201d \u015fi moaie c\u00e2te un deget \u00een gur\u0103. La \u00eenfierb\u00e2n\u0163eal\u0103, uit\u0103 c\u0103 degetele sunt ale lor, \u015fi le mu\u015fc\u0103, \u015fi vorba se preface \u00een sup\u0103rare, sup\u0103rarea \u00een ceart\u0103 \u015fi cearta \u00een g\u00e2lceav\u0103. Cum s\u0103 caz\u0103 ei la \u00eenvoial\u0103?\u2026 Fiecare vrea s\u0103 laude \u015fi s\u0103 numere numai cum vrea el, iar nu cum laud\u0103 \u015fi num\u0103r\u0103 ceilal\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De cumva nu e\u015fti din partea locului, trei-patru b\u0103tr\u00e2ni \u2013 care de obicei ascult\u0103, cu gurile c\u0103scate \u015fi cu \u015fepcile pe ceaf\u0103, la c\u00e2ntecele copiilor din \u015fcoala vestitului dasc\u0103l Nicu\u0163\u0103 cum te-or z\u0103ri, te simt, ca ni\u015fte copoi, c\u0103 e\u015fti str\u0103in, c\u0103 n-ai mai v\u0103zut biserica lor. \u00ce\u015fi freac\u0103 m\u00e2inile; tu\u015fesc; \u00ee\u015fi dreg glasul; apoi, rara-rara, cu ni\u015fte pa\u015fi lungi \u015fi seme\u0163i, \u00ee\u0163i ies \u00eenainte, \u00ee\u0163i caut\u0103 prilej de vorb\u0103, to\u0163i cu acelea\u015fi cuvinte, cu aceea\u015fi t\u0103r\u0103g\u0103nire de glas \u015fi cu capul dat pe spate:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, fl\u0103c\u0103ule, de pe unde?\u2026 Ce v\u00e2nturi?\u2026 Pe la noi\u2026 ai?\u2026 \u015ei de ce?\u2026 Ce zici de biserica noastr\u0103?\u2026 Nu, m\u0103 rog, ce crezi d-ta, c\u0103 n-o s\u0103-\u0163i t\u0103iem capul\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De te \u00eempinge p\u0103catul s\u0103 spui ceva de sfin\u0163ii usca\u0163i \u015fi drep\u0163i \u2013 unii cu suli\u0163e, al\u0163ii cu palo\u015fe, unii c\u0103l\u0103ri, al\u0163ii pe jos \u015fi cu m\u00e2inile a\u015fa de \u00eencruci\u015fate pe piept, c\u0103 palmele le ies afar\u0103 din trup \u2013 pe loc b\u0103tr\u00e2nii \u00ee\u015fi ridic\u0103 pulpanele giubelelor \u00een cing\u0103toarea de plis\u0103 ro\u015fie \u015fi-\u0163i sufl\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din v\u00e2rful limbii:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, pui\u015forule, mai sunt zugravi, grozavi de tot\u2026 Am v\u0103zut \u015fi noi\u2026 am prea v\u0103zut cum o dau \u00een p\u0103g\u00e2ne\u015fte \u015fi-\u0163i toarn\u0103 la sfin\u0163i cu ochi de om, cu m\u00e2ni \u015fi picioare ca \u015fi ale noastre\u2026 Da\u2019 de, vezi d-ta, sfin\u0163ii \u0103\u015ftia, a\u015fa cum i-am apucat noi, de c\u00e2nd am deschis ochii, sunt adev\u0103rat sfin\u0163i. Voi, tinerii de ast\u0103zi, la legi umbla\u0163i cu \u015foalda, la scris cu \u015foalda \u015fi la sfin\u0163i tot cu \u015foalda\u2026!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0II<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa m-au judecat \u015fi pe mine, \u015fi n-oi mai uita mai ales ochii mici \u015fi v\u0103rga\u0163i ai ctitorului, care-mi t\u0103lm\u0103cea zugr\u0103velile, \u00eenfig\u00e2nd degetul ar\u0103t\u0103tor asupra sfin\u0163ilor \u015fi oft\u00e2nd parc\u0103 ar fi voit s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 vremile apuse \u015fi credin\u0163ele de odinioar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Erau patru. Trei \u2013 cu giubele lungi, cu \u015fepci cu cozoroace de lac, cr\u0103pate \u015fi \u015fterse de lustru. Jup\u00e2n Hagiul purta pe umeri o scurteic\u0103 de elastic, galben\u0103, sp\u0103l\u0103cit\u0103, p\u0103tat\u0103 de untdelemn \u015fi picat\u0103 cu cear\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ctitorul vorbea mereu, iar ceilal\u0163i trei \u00eemi r\u00e2deau \u00een obraz, ca \u015fi cum mi-ar fi spus: \u201eD\u0103-te prins, d\u0103-te b\u0103tut, nu te pune cu ctitorul nostru, c-a v\u0103zut multe \u015f-a p\u0103\u0163it \u015fi mai multe\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uite, \u00eemi zicea ctitorul m\u00e2niat, ce pofte\u015fti? Nu-\u0163i place Sf\u00e2ntul Gheorghe? Ce viteje\u015fte st\u0103 pe cal! \u015ei cum omoar\u0103 balaurul spurcat, parc\u0103 ar ucide un vierme, nici nu se sinchise\u015fte. Iac\u0103 \u015fi mucenicul Mina cum \u00ee\u015fi bate joc de Necuratul. Dar capul arhiereului Nicolae\u2026 ce m\u00e2ndre\u0163e, ce cur\u0103\u0163el \u015fi frumos b\u0103tr\u00e2n! Ei, neni\u015forule, o s\u0103 tr\u0103i\u0163i, \u015fi cu d-alde astea n-o s\u0103 v\u0103 mai \u00eent\u00e2lni\u0163i! \u00cen ziua de ast\u0103zi?\u2026 vardie na\u0163ional\u0103 cu cozi de coco\u015f muiate \u00een b\u0103can\u2026 \u015fi barabance\u2026 \u015fi triu-liu-liu-triu-triu\u2026 la dreapta\u2026 la st\u00e2nga\u2026 dreeeep\u0163i!\u2026 Iar sfintele loca\u015furi\u2026 ru\u015fine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ctitorul abia r\u0103sufla, ro\u015fu ca para focului. M\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2sem s\u0103 tac. \u00cen u\u015fa amvonului: draci cu gheare de trei ori mai lungi ca degetele, oameni cu p\u0103rul vulvoi, \u00eengeri slabi \u015fi lungi \u015fi, mai presus de to\u0163i, bunul Dumnezeu, pe nori cenu\u015fii, rotocolit cu un curcubeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ctitorul nu se mai putu st\u0103p\u00e2ni. Ridic\u0103 m\u00e2inile. M\u00e2necile i s-adunar\u0103 \u00een umeri \u015fi \u00eencepu, ascu\u0163indu-\u015fi glasul:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu vezi cum s-aga\u0163\u0103 dimonii de talerul drep\u0163ilor, dar ei tot mai sus, tot mai sus la c\u00e2ntar, c\u0103ci o fapt\u0103 bun\u0103 ridic\u0103 de la p\u0103m\u00e2nt doi draci \u015fi mai bine\u2026 Nu vezi c\u0103 \u0103\u015ftia-\u015fi apas\u0103 degetul pe un \u015fir de oameni dezbr\u0103ca\u0163i \u015fi albi ca varul, cari o porniser\u0103 spre rai \u2013 au fost buni, milostivi, \u015fi n-au r\u00e2vnit la ale altuia, \u015fi n-au zavistit, \u015fi n-au furat, \u015fi n-au luat numele Domnului \u00een de\u015fert, \u015fi n-au avut nou\u0103 b\u0103ieri la pung\u0103, ca \u00een ziua de azi\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul plec\u0103 capul \u00een jos, str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-\u015fi poalele scurteicii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doi din b\u0103tr\u00e2ni iar z\u00e2mbir\u0103 \u015fi iar \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 cu z\u00e2mbetul lor \u015firet: \u201eBine mai vorbe\u015fte ctitorul! D\u0103-te prins, d\u0103-te b\u0103tut, nu te pune cu ctitorul, c\u0103 te face puzderie!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103, urm\u0103 ctitorul, iac\u0103 \u015fi boga\u0163ii nemilostivi cum se duc \u00een focul ghenii cu sacii \u00een spinare, de\u015fela\u0163i de aur \u015fi de argint!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul tu\u015fi, trase cozorocul \u015fepcii pe ochi \u015fi \u00eentoarse spatele \u201ejudec\u0103\u0163ii d-apoi\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Str\u00e2nge\u0163i-v\u0103 vou\u0103 comori \u00een ceruri\u2026 strig\u0103 ctitorul, amenin\u0163\u00e2nd cu pumnul pe boga\u0163ii nemilostivi, cari s\u0103 duceau lini\u015fti\u0163i \u00een iad\u2026 str\u00e2nge\u0163i-v\u0103 vou\u0103 comori \u00een ceruri, c\u0103ci mai lesne va trece funia cor\u0103biei prin urechile acului dec\u00e2t bogatul \u00een \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia cerurilor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ctitorul r\u0103m\u0103sese cu pumnul \u00eencle\u015ftat asupra zidului; ceilal\u0163i doi \u00ee\u015fi descoperir\u0103 capul, \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103 cruce, \u00eeng\u00e2n\u00e2nd: \u201eDoamne, Doamne, mare \u015fi milostiv e\u015fti, Doamne!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jup\u00e2n Hagiul o \u015fterse bini\u015for-bini\u015for \u015fi se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fugi Hagiul\u2026 fugi\u2026 Nu-i vine la socoteal\u0103, \u2013 \u00eencepu iar ctitorul \u2013 nu d\u0103 un sfan\u0163 la cutia bisericii (ctitorul \u0163inea mult la cutia bisericii), \u015fi acas\u0103 \u2013 nomol de galbeni b\u0103tu\u0163i \u015fi fereca\u0163i! \u00cengroap\u0103 mereu cazanele, \u015fi n-are dec\u00e2t o nepoat\u0103, prip\u0103\u015fit\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul de c\u00e2nd a plecat la hagial\u00e2c, ca s\u0103-i p\u0103zeasc\u0103 co\u015ftoroaba. \u015ei nu m\u0103rit\u0103 fat\u0103 mare, nu sleie\u015fte un pu\u0163, nu d\u0103ruie\u015fte un cr\u00e2mpei de salb\u0103 iconostasului unde se miruie\u015fte, caiafa de el!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei vorba se \u00eencinse ca focul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 dea Hagiu?\u2026 Hagiu s\u0103 dea?\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar nu l-a\u0163i v\u0103zut cum mi\u015fun\u0103 prin c\u00e2rciumi \u015fi b\u0103c\u0103nii? zise ctitorul. Intr\u0103 \u00eentr-una, ia bini\u015for o m\u0103slin\u0103, o aduce la gur\u0103 \u015f-o strecoar\u0103 printre gingii. Fol, fol, fol, o mestec\u0103\u2026 \u201eE, cum dai m\u0103slinele, drag\u0103 cutare?\u2026\u201d \u201eAt\u00e2t\u201d\u2026 \u201eScump, scump de tot la a\u015fa vremuri. Vremuri grele!\u201d \u015ei pleac\u0103\u2026 Intr\u0103 peste drum. \u015eterpele\u015fte icrele de cosac. Rupe o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103, \u00eei face v\u00e2nt. Pleasc, pleasc\u2026 \u201eCum petrece\u0163i icrele?\u201d\u2026 \u201eAt\u00e2t\u201d\u2026 \u201eScump, scump. Vremuri grele!\u201d \u015ei pleac\u0103\u2026 Se duce la pastramagiul din col\u0163. \u201eIa s\u0103 vedem, vericule, cum \u0163i-e marfa, c\u0103 nu mai dau pe la cutare\u201d\u2026 Ia o feliu\u0163\u0103, \u00eei face de petrecanie. \u201eCum o da\u0163i?\u201d \u201ePe parale \u015fi at\u00e2t.\u201d \u201eA\u015f, v-a\u0163i scumpit de tot! S-au dus vremurile alea\u2026 Vremuri grele!\u201d \u015ei pleac\u0103. \u00cei e sete. Intr\u0103 \u00eentr-o bragagerie. \u201eEi\u2026 s\u0103 gust\u2026 ce ba\u015fbuzuc ave\u0163i?\u201d Suge un fund de tinichea, ghior\u0163, ghior\u0163, ghior\u0163. \u201eZeam\u0103 de agurid\u0103. Cin\u2019 s-o bea? Cin\u2019 s-o pl\u0103teasc\u0103? Vremuri\u201d\u2026 \u015ei pleac\u0103. A\u015fa m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi se r\u0103core\u015fte, \u015fi pe el \u00eel dau banii afar\u0103 din cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei b\u0103tr\u00e2nii \u2013 hi-hi, ho-ho, hi-hi \u2013 r\u00e2d cu lacr\u0103mi, n\u0103pustindu-se \u00een vorb\u0103, care mai de care mai \u015firet la cuv\u00e2nt \u015fi mai sub\u0163ire la coada ochilor, r\u0103sucindu-\u015fi stropii de must\u0103\u0163i, \u00eentor\u015fi ca ni\u015fte col\u0163i albi \u00eempotriva nasului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Car\u00e2mbii cizmelor?\u2026 De c\u00e2nd era fl\u0103c\u0103u\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 I se sc\u00e2lcie tocurile?\u2026 Le bate singur c\u00e2teva flecuri\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe mine, de c\u00e2te ori m\u0103 vede: \u201eD\u0103-mi o pustie de \u0163igar\u0103, c\u0103-mi uitai p\u0103pu\u015fa acas\u0103\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015f! ce-a uitat acas\u0103?\u2026 Bea pelini\u0163\u0103. O adun\u0103 vara, o usuc\u0103, o freac\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2ni \u015f-o a\u015feaz\u0103 \u00een lacr\u0103. Bea toat\u0103 iarna \u015fi tu\u015fe\u015fte s\u0103-\u015fi dea sufletul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 v-a\u0163i uitat pe sub scurteica Hagiului? zise ctitorul, r\u00e2z\u00e2nd \u015fi ciupindu-\u015fi must\u0103\u0163ile. Nu?\u2026 Bine\u2026 S\u0103 v\u0103 spui eu\u2026 \u00centr-o zi, dup\u0103 slujb\u0103, stam de vorb\u0103\u2026 mai mul\u0163i in\u015fi \u015fi c\u00e2teva cocoane. Hagiul se uitase \u00eentr-un je\u0163\u2026 P\u00e2ndea o prescur\u0103. Paracliserul, un drac \u015fi jum\u0103tate, \u00eei ar\u0103t\u0103, jos, \u00eenaintea noastr\u0103, o firfiric\u0103 de paispre\u2019ce \u015fi-i zise: \u201eJup\u00e2n Hagiule, mi se pare c\u0103 dumitale \u0163i-a c\u0103zut la miruial\u0103\u201d. Hagiul s\u0103ri \u00een capul oaselor. Se apropie de firfiric\u0103. O \u0163intui cu ochii, c\u0103 s\u0103-i fi dat cu piciorul n-ai fi mutat-o din loc. \u00centinse m\u00e2na\u2026 C\u00e2nd se aplec\u0103 de jum\u0103tate, pe noi, din spatele lui, b\u0103rba\u0163i \u015fi cocoane, ne bufni un r\u00e2s stra\u015fnic, \u015fi r\u00e2zi, \u015fi r\u00e2zi\u2026 Hagiul \u00ee\u015fi uitase acas\u0103 turul pantalonilor\u2026 De r\u00e2sul nostru, ne\u00eendr\u0103znind s\u0103 se aplece p\u00e2n\u0103 la firfiric\u0103, se uit\u0103 lung la d\u00e2nsa \u015fi, cu lacr\u0103mile \u00een ochi, ie\u015fi din biseric\u0103, morm\u0103ind: \u201eA mea era!\u2026 era a mea!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Paracliserul \u015ftia de la nepoata Hagiului c\u0103 Hagiul de zece ani taie din turul pantalonilor ca s\u0103-i c\u00e2rpeasc\u0103 pe unde se cosesc. Scurteica fusese \u00eenc\u0103 p-at\u00e2t de lung\u0103, dar o scurtase mereu din poale, ca s\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103puteze m\u00e2necile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0III<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fum pe co\u015ful Hagiului nu s-a pomenit. Ridice viscolul n\u0103me\u0163ii p\u00e2n\u0103 la stre\u015fini. Apele s\u0103 \u00eenghe\u0163e tun. Treaba lor! Hagiul nu vrea s\u0103 \u015ftie de crap\u0103 pietrele la gerul Bobotezei, nici dac\u0103 \u00een iulie turbeaz\u0103 c\u00e2nii de c\u0103ldur\u0103. Iarna tremur\u0103, vara g\u00e2f\u00e2ie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toat\u0103 via\u0163a lui, de c\u00e2te ori nepoat\u0103-sa \u2013 tr\u0103ind aciolat\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u2013 \u00eei pomenea, la Cr\u0103ciun, s\u0103 taie \u015fi ei un porc, ca tot cre\u015ftinul, b\u0103tr\u00e2nul r\u0103spundea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemi face r\u0103u, nepoat\u0103, s-aud gui\u0163\u00e2nd\u2026 \u00cemi face r\u0103u\u2026 c-a\u015fa sunt eu\u2026 milos\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cump\u0103r\u0103-l, nene, t\u0103iat gata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 a\u015fa \u00eel aducea din cuv\u00e2nt Leana, \u00eenghi\u0163ind \u00een sec, cu g\u00e2ndul la \u015forici, b\u0103tr\u00e2nul r\u0103spundea lini\u015ftit:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un porc\u2026 carne mult\u0103\u2026 Se stric\u0103\u2026 Dou\u0103 guri suntem\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Venea Pa\u015ftele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nene, s\u0103 \u00eenro\u015fim \u015fi noi ou\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce prostie!\u2026 Ou\u0103 ro\u015fii?\u2026 Nu e mai bine s\u0103 le m\u0103n\u00e2nci proaspete?\u2026 Ou\u0103 ro\u015fii, ou\u0103 st\u0103tute\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 ro\u015fim pu\u0163intele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ro\u015fim pu\u0163intele, ardem focul degeaba, cump\u0103r\u0103m d-a surda b\u0103canul\u2026 Cheltuial\u0103 zadarnic\u0103\u2026 Vremuri grele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2026 o ciozv\u00e2rt\u0103 de miel\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Miel?\u2026 Ce fel miel?\u2026 Cum miel?\u2026 Miroase a oaie\u2026 Pa\u015ftele prea e \u00een var\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce pustia de var\u0103, nene Tudose, nu vezi c\u0103 plou\u0103 \u015fi fulguie\u015fte?!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, fulguie\u015fte, fulguie\u015fte\u2026 tu nu vezi c\u0103 nu \u0163ine? Unde \u0163ine? Cum cade, se tope\u015fte\u2026 Eu mor de c\u0103ldur\u0103\u2026 Uf!\u2026 uf!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei eu mor de frig\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mori de frig\u2026 cr\u0103pi!\u2026 A\u015fa te-am pomenit\u2026 lacom\u0103\u2026 nemul\u0163umitoare!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana tace \u015fi \u00eenghite \u00een sec. E s\u0103rac\u0103. N-are pe nimeni. Tace, c\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2nul, de se m\u00e2nie, strig\u0103, tr\u00e2nte\u015fte u\u015file, apoi se arunc\u0103 \u00een pat \u015fi se vaiet\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la miezul nop\u0163ii, uit\u00e2nd s\u0103-i dea \u015fi de p\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De mic copil Hagiul fusese copil cuminte \u015fi a\u015fezat. Nu i s-auzea guri\u0163a, nici pa\u015fii. Nu rupea pantofii. Nu-\u015fi h\u0103rt\u0103nea rochi\u0163a. Pe ce punea m\u00e2na punea bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajuns calf\u0103 la g\u0103it\u0103n\u0103rie, vorbea frumos \u015fi cu patim\u0103 \u00een mijlocul tovar\u0103\u015filor s\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De c\u00e2nd eram d-o \u015fchioap\u0103 pricepusem lumea, le zicea el. \u00cen\u0163elesesem bine de tot c\u0103 o c\u00e2rp\u0103 din gunoi este o munc\u0103 de om pe care te faci st\u0103p\u00e2n dac\u0103 o pui deoparte. \u015ei dac\u0103 mama \u00eemi d\u0103dea un ban de trei ca s\u0103-mi iau un simit, eu m\u0103 uitam \u00een ghiozdan: de aveam felia de p\u00e2ine, s\u0103n\u0103tate bun\u0103, aveam ce m\u00e2nca. Nu te saturi cu p\u00e2ine? Ce-\u0163i trebuie simi\u0163i? \u015ei puneam banul bine. \u015ei un ban peste altul fac doi, peste doi dac\u0103 pui altul, fac trei\u2026 R\u00e2de\u0163i voi\u2026 r\u00e2de\u0163i\u2026 Da\u2019, v\u00e2ntura\u0163i banii \u00een m\u00e2ni \u015fi ve\u0163i sim\u0163i ce r\u0103coare \u0163ine c\u00e2nd v\u0103 e cald, \u015fi ce cald c\u00e2nd v\u0103 e frig. E destul s\u0103 te g\u00e2nde\u015fti ce po\u0163i face cu banii, ca s\u0103 \u015fi gu\u015fti bucuria lucrului pe care nu l-ai cump\u0103rat. Ai sim\u0163it bucuria?\u2026 De ce s\u0103-l mai cumperi?\u2026 R\u00e2de\u0163i voi, r\u00e2de\u0163i\u2026 Ce lucru poate fi mai luminat ca un jeratic de galbeni \u00eentin\u015fi pe o mas\u0103?\u2026 Voi r\u00e2de\u0163i\u2026 r\u00e2de\u0163i cu hohote\u2026 Ni\u015fte risipitori\u2026 \u00cen via\u0163a voastr\u0103 n-o s\u0103 gusta\u0163i adev\u0103rata bucurie\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi, o calf\u0103, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-l cum tremur\u0103 \u015fi cum i s-aprind ochii c\u00e2nd vorbe\u015fte de bani, i-a zis \u00een glum\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Str\u00e2ngi tu, b\u0103iete, str\u00e2ngi, \u015fi \u00eentr-o zi\u2026 fiut\u2026 fiut\u2026 p-aci l-e drumul\u2026 \u015fi ia-i de unde nu-s\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tudose, la a\u015fa nelegiuire, s-a ridicat \u00een v\u00e2rful picioarelor, a \u00eencle\u015ftat pumnii, i-a adus la gur\u0103 \u015fi a strigat, \u00eenchiz\u00e2nd ochii:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai de ve\u0163i v\u00e2r\u00ee tot p\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u00een buzunar\u2026 numai atunci ve\u0163i fura \u015fi banii mei!\u2026 A\u015fa s\u0103 \u015fti\u0163i!\u2026 A\u015fa!\u2026 C\u0103 n-am bani\u2026 N-am chioar\u0103 l\u0103scaie\u2026 P-a\u015fa vremuri nu po\u0163i s\u0103 ai\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, Tudose muncea; str\u00e2ngea; nu bea; nu ochea prin mahala; m\u00e2nca p\u00e2ine cu brag\u0103. Dup\u0103 zece ani, ajuns la parte, dup\u0103 al\u0163i cinci, tovar\u0103\u015f pe din dou\u0103 cu st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen primii ani de tov\u0103r\u0103\u015fie sl\u0103bise, \u00eeng\u0103lbenise, \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nise la 30 de ani. De fric\u0103 \u015fi de griji, bolea pe picioare. Fostul s\u0103u st\u0103p\u00e2n \u00eel lu\u0103 la mas\u0103 la el ca s\u0103-l mai \u00eendrepte. \u015ei ce frumos m\u00e2nca! Oscior peste oscior \u015fi nimic pe oscior.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se mai \u00eentremase. Erau cu to\u0163ii pe iarb\u0103 verde, s\u0103rb\u0103torind \u015fi ud\u00e2nd cu pelin ziua de \u00eent\u00e2i mai. Jup\u00e2nul i-aduse vorba:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tudose, nu vrei tu s\u0103-\u0163i g\u0103sesc o fat\u0103 bun\u0103, de treab\u0103, cu ceva zestre? Ei, \u015fi \u015ftii, un copil, doi, ai pentru ce tr\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, jup\u00e2ne, nu se poate! Femeia, copiii cer dem\u00e2ncare, vesminte, \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103\u2026 \u015fi n-am de unde\u2026 Ce bruma am sunt \u00een nego\u0163, \u015fi banul din nego\u0163 este al oricui ar voi s\u0103 te \u00een\u015fele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tudose, b\u0103iete, nu vorbi cu p\u0103cat, s\u0103 nu vorbe\u015fti \u00eentr-un ceas r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ceas r\u0103u? \u00ce\u015fi str\u00e2nse fermeneaua la piept, apoi morm\u0103i pe g\u00e2nduri:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, jup\u00e2ne\u2026 copiii cer p\u00e2ine, \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103minte, \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103, \u015fi femeia\u2026 rochii\u2026 plimbare\u2026 scurteic\u0103 de tibet\u2026 fuste \u00een gherghef\u2026 Nu se poate, jup\u00e2ne\u2026 s\u0103 m\u0103 crezi c\u0103 nu!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0IV<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oh! ce fericire pe Hagiu c\u00e2nd r\u0103mase singur st\u0103p\u00e2n \u00een pr\u0103v\u0103lie! \u00cen prima zi l-apuc\u0103 c\u0103ldurile. Obrajii \u00eei ardeau; capul i se \u00eencinsese; ochii \u00eel usturau. La ceas, la ceas, ie\u015fea din pr\u0103v\u0103lie s-o priveasc\u0103 pe dinafar\u0103. \u00cei da t\u00e2rcoale. \u00cei cerceta \u00eenc\u0103perile \u015fi zidurile cu d-am\u0103runtul. Se ridica \u00een v\u00e2rful picioarelor ca s\u0103-\u015fi arunce privirile p\u00e2n\u0103 peste acoperi\u015ful ei. Pr\u0103v\u0103lia?\u2026 Era copila\u015ful rumen \u015fi frumos. El? P\u0103rintele fericit c\u0103 are pe cine m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia. Pr\u0103v\u0103lia? Femeia fermec\u0103toare. El? El, nebunul care-i da \u00een genunchi, cu ochii \u00eenchi\u015fi \u015fi cu inima speriat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I s-a izb\u00e2ndit visul, singurul vis pe lume! A r\u0103mas singur. Ale lui sunt sculurile, jurubi\u0163ele \u015fi ghemurile de g\u0103itane; ale lui r\u0103zboaiele, rodanele \u015fi mald\u0103rele de l\u00e2n\u0103; numai el singur de\u015fchide tejgheaua; numai el singur tocme\u015fte, face pre\u0163ul \u015fi prime\u015fte, numai \u00een m\u00e2na lui, banii frumo\u015fi \u015fi rotunzi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen prima sear\u0103, z\u0103vor\u00e2nd u\u015file \u015fi obloanele, ochii \u00eei jucar\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, mustr\u00e2nd pe ucenici la fitece mi\u015fcare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cencet, \u00eencet, \u00eencetinel, c\u0103 u\u015file nu sunt de fier!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia seama, tr\u00e2ndavule, s\u0103 nu spargi geamurile, c\u0103 nu sunt de fier!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu tr\u00e2nti obloanele, ponivosule, c\u0103 nu sunt de fier!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cencet, \u00eencet cu lac\u0103tele, mototolule, c\u0103 nu sunt\u2026 \u015fi dac\u0103 sunt?\u2026 au broasc\u0103, au me\u015fte\u015fug, cost\u0103 parale!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De zece ori se \u00eentoarse din drum ca s\u0103 mai priveasc\u0103 o dat\u0103, \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103, pr\u0103v\u0103lia. La urm\u0103 o privi lung, \u00eei sur\u00e2se, i se umplu ochii de lacrimi \u015fi plec\u0103, morm\u0103ind:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mititica\u2026 trist\u0103 \u015fi ea\u2026 cu obloanele \u00een jos, cu u\u015fa \u00eenchis\u0103\u2026 ca un om care a \u00eenchis ochii!\u2026 Se crap\u0103 de ziu\u0103?\u2026 Face ochii mari, c\u00e2t geamurile ei, \u015fi parc\u0103 vorbe\u015fte, momind pe trec\u0103tori s\u0103 intre, s\u0103-i dea o bun\u0103-ziu\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-i t\u00e2rguiasc\u0103 c\u00e2te ceva\u2026 Lingu\u015fitoarea\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu capul \u00een jos, ciulind must\u0103\u0163ile, \u015fterg\u00e2ndu-\u015fi sudoarea de pe frunte, iu\u0163ind \u015fi muind pa\u015fii, mestec\u00e2nd \u015fi tu\u015find, se duce acas\u0103. Vorbe\u015fte. Se vede \u00een lupt\u0103 cu ceilal\u0163i: cu ucenicii, cu calfele, cu mu\u015fteriii m\u0103run\u0163i \u015fi cu toptangiii. La unii sur\u00e2de, unora le str\u00e2nge m\u00e2na, cu al\u0163ii se ceart\u0103, la urm\u0103 se \u00eempac\u0103 cu to\u0163i, \u00eei atrage, \u00eei mome\u015fte, \u00eei \u00een\u015feal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Obosit, ajunge acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La r\u0103sp\u00e2ntia din care se desface drumul \u00eenspre Calea Vergului, se pitule\u015fte c\u0103su\u0163a Hagiului, \u00een mijlocul unei gr\u0103dini stufoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Deschide u\u015fa tinzii; o \u00eencuie grabnic; intr\u0103 \u00eentr-o odaie mic\u0103 \u015fi \u00eentunecoas\u0103; aprinde o lum\u00e2nare de seu; se a\u015feaz\u0103 pe pat; \u00ee\u015fi ia capul \u00een m\u00e2ni \u015fi-\u015fi reazem\u0103 coatele de genunchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103re\u0163ii sunt coji\u0163i \u015fi galbeni; grinzile tavanului, negre \u015fi pr\u0103fuite; icoanele, cu sfin\u0163i \u015fter\u015fi; patul de sc\u00e2nduri, acoperit cu o p\u0103tur\u0103 l\u0103\u0163oas\u0103, v\u0103rgat\u0103 cu alb \u015fi vi\u015finiu. Dou\u0103 perne de paie la perete \u015fi una de l\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 \u00eentr-o fa\u0163\u0103 soioas\u0103. Pe jos, pardoseal\u0103 de c\u0103r\u0103mizi reci. Odaie trist\u0103, \u00eentunecoas\u0103, un morm\u00e2nt pe ai c\u0103rui ochi de geam, ca un sfert de h\u00e2rtie, \u0163ar fi fric\u0103 s\u0103 prive\u015fti, de fric\u0103 s\u0103 nu vezi mor\u0163ii odihnindu-se cu fe\u0163ele \u00een sus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul tres\u0103ri \u015fi sufl\u0103 \u00een lum\u00e2nare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cost\u0103 parale. M\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc eu \u015fi pe \u00eentuneric. Oh! Doamne, Doamne, ce bun e\u015fti, ce \u00een\u0163elept e\u015fti! De n-ar fi soare, c\u00e2te lum\u00e2n\u0103ri mi-ar trebui s\u0103 arz ziua \u00een pr\u0103v\u0103lie!\u2026 Ce cheltuial\u0103!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia se lungi \u00een pat, \u015fi g\u00e2ndurile \u00eencepur\u0103, \u00eent\u00e2i bl\u00e2nde, prietenoase, \u015f-apoi \u00eendoielnice, posomor\u00e2te.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bine c\u0103 a r\u0103mas singur st\u0103p\u00e2n \u00een pr\u0103v\u0103lie! Jup\u00e2nul era bun, era cinstit, da\u2019 de\u2026 dou\u0103 chei la o tejghea\u2026 dou\u0103 m\u00e2ni \u00een parale\u2026 dou\u0103zeci de degete \u00een firfirici\u2026 patru buzunare \u015fi dou\u0103 socoteli\u2026 Cine \u015ftie!\u2026 Din gre\u015feal\u0103\u2026 bani sunt mici\u2026 u\u015for \u00ee\u0163i scap\u0103 printre degete\u2026 ba \u00een buzunar\u2026 \u00een pung\u0103\u2026 \u00een c\u0103ptu\u015feala hainei\u2026 St\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u era bun, era cinstit, dar ierta de multe ori pe calfe, pe simbria\u015fi, pe ucenici, c\u00e2nd rupeau \u015fi sp\u0103rgeau prin pr\u0103v\u0103lie. Venea un cer\u015fetor, doi, dou\u0103zeci: \u201eS\u0103 le d\u0103m, c\u0103 avem copii\u201d. Da, dar el n-avea copii. Da, dar jum\u0103tate din acei bani arunca\u0163i era munca lui, erau banii lui, erau m\u00e2ng\u00e2ierea \u015fi fericirea lui. Unde pui hainele pe cari i le cump\u0103ra cu d-a sila, lum\u00e2n\u0103rile de Pa\u015fte, discurile, miruiala, c\u0103ci \u00eel ducea de guler la biseric\u0103\u2026 dar cutia bisericii, de care \u00eei era spaim\u0103\u2026 Socoteal\u0103 limpede: masa, creditul \u015fi numele st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u produceau mai pu\u0163in ca mila st\u0103p\u00e2nului, hainele pentru masa st\u0103p\u00e2nului, evlavia st\u0103p\u00e2nului \u015fi nepriceperea st\u0103p\u00e2nului la v\u00e2nzarea g\u0103itanului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul se rostogole\u015fte \u00een pat. Prea e fericit. Nu poate dormi. R\u00e2de \u015fi ofteaz\u0103. E de\u015ftept \u015fi viseaz\u0103. Ce vis! De nu s-ar sf\u00e2r\u015fi! Dac\u0103 aci, \u00een z\u0103duf \u015fi \u00eentuneric, ar sta \u00een picioare, \u015fi banii ar cre\u015fte, ca o rev\u0103rsare de ap\u0103, de la t\u0103lpi \u00een sus p\u00e2n\u0103 peste cre\u015ftetul capului\u2026 Oh! ce fericit ar fi Hagiul! \u00cenainte s\u0103-\u015fi dea sufletul, ar vedea fa\u0163a \u015fi vecinicia lui Dumnezeu. Moartea s\u0103 aib\u0103 coas\u0103 de aur, el \u015fi-ar \u00eenfige am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile \u00een t\u0103i\u015ful ei!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pic\u0103turi de ploaie bat \u00een geamurile Hagiului. Hagiul tresare. Nimeni. Se \u015fterge pe frunte de n\u0103du\u015feal\u0103. R\u0103sufl\u0103 greu, ca p-un sui\u015f de deal c-o povar\u0103 \u00een spinare. \u00cei bate inima: visul unei mor\u0163i fericite i s-a pref\u0103cut \u00eentr-o via\u0163\u0103 de spaim\u0103. Pic\u0103turi grele izbesc \u00een geamuri. G\u00e2ndul c\u0103 ar putea s\u0103-l jefuiasc\u0103 cineva \u00eel face s\u0103 sar\u0103 din pat. Aprinde lum\u00e2narea. E galben ca ceara. P\u0103rul, nepiept\u0103nat \u015fi lung, i-at\u00e2rn\u0103 \u00een vi\u0163ioane pe ceaf\u0103 \u015fi pe frunte. Se uit\u0103 la icoane. Se \u00eenchin\u0103. \u015ei-aduce aminte de Dumnezeu. Fire\u015fte c\u0103 se g\u00e2nde\u015fte la el! Se g\u00e2nde\u015fte c\u0103 sufer\u0103 pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt din cauza lene\u015filor \u015fi a t\u00e2lharilor. Lui nu i-ar fura o b\u0103\u015fic\u0103 cu zece mii de galbeni, \u00eengropa\u0163i sub c\u0103r\u0103mizile de supat, ci l-ar fura de zece mii de ori, i-ar fura sufletul turnat \u00een fitece galben. El niciodat\u0103 n-a priceput ce este zece, o sut\u0103, o mie. Astea sunt vorbe, sunt numere pe r\u0103boj ori pe h\u00e2rtie. \u00cen zece galbeni este inima lui de zece ori; \u00eentr-o sut\u0103, inima lui de o sut\u0103 de ori; \u00eentr-o mie, inima lui de o mie de ori. \u00cen zece mii, el nu vede un purcoi de galbeni, ci zece mii de copii ai lui, fiecare cu chipul \u015fi cu via\u0163a lui. Iac\u0103 de ce se g\u00e2nde\u015fte la Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-aprind candela, de\u015fi Milostivul ar trebui s\u0103 vaz\u0103 \u015fi pe \u00eentuneric! zise Hagiul \u015fi se ridic\u0103, tremur\u00e2nd, \u00een dreptul icoanelor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Scoase bini\u015for paharul din candel\u0103; \u00eel puse pe pat; stoarse \u015fi \u00eendrept\u0103 firul de iasc\u0103; turn\u0103 \u00een p\u0103h\u0103relul murdar untdelemn dintr-un urcior; m\u0103sur\u0103 cu ochii roata untdelemnului\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un de\u015ft de untdelemn!\u2026 un de\u015ft!\u2026 e prea mult\u2026 risip\u0103\u2026 se revars\u0103 de ziu\u0103\u2026 Cum o s\u0103 mai vaz\u0103 atot\u015ftiutorul o limbuli\u0163\u0103 g\u0103lbuie c\u00e2nd soarele o potopi lumea cu lumina lui?\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Puse paharul pe un taler de p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi turn\u0103 ap\u0103. Untdelemnul se scurse \u00een taler, r\u0103m\u00e2ind \u00een pahar un rotocol d-o muchie de cu\u0163it.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een p\u0103tur\u0103. Candela sf\u00e2r\u00e2i \u015fi trosni. Hagiul, ame\u0163it, morm\u0103i \u00een must\u0103\u0163i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce-o fi trosnind? Semn r\u0103u! Am turnat destul untdelemn\u2026 De ce-o fi trosnind?\u2026 De nu mi-ar arde pr\u0103v\u0103lia!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa petrecu via\u0163a Hagiul p\u00e2n\u0103 la b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e. Un \u015fir necurmat de chinuri fericite, neb\u0103g\u00e2nd nimic \u00een el, nepun\u00e2nd nimic pe el. F\u0103r\u0103 foc; f\u0103r\u0103 fiertur\u0103; neiubind pe nimeni; tres\u0103rind c\u00e2nd umbra i se \u00eencurca \u00een picioare; \u00eenchiz\u00e2ndu-se ziua cu z\u0103vorul \u00een cas\u0103; robotind nop\u0163ile \u00een odaie cu o lum\u00e2nare de seu \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, ca o stafie uscat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, g\u0103it\u0103n\u0103ria nu mai mergea. Desf\u0103cu pr\u0103v\u0103lia. V\u00e2ndu tot.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M-am ales \u015fi eu c-o p\u00e2ine, dup\u0103 o munc\u0103 c\u00e2ineasc\u0103 de la opt \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 la \u015faizeci de ani.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar \u00een acest b\u0103tr\u00e2n, pentru care prietenii, copiii \u015fi nevasta erau banii agonisi\u0163i \u015fi ascun\u015fi, un singur g\u00e2nd, mai presus de orice, \u00eei turbura fericirea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dumnezeu vede toate\u2026 pl\u0103te\u015fte toate. Vede toate!\u2026 Cum vede?\u2026 N-am furat pe nimeni\u2026 N-am luat banul nim\u0103nui!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201eVede toate, pl\u0103te\u015fte toate\u201d. Icoanele \u015fi vorbele din biseric\u0103 i se de\u015fteptau \u00een minte. Ce stric\u0103 bogatul nemilostiv dac\u0103 nu fur\u0103 \u015fi nu bate pe nimeni? Dac\u0103 boga\u0163ii ar da \u00een fiece zi la s\u0103raci, s\u0103racii s-ar \u00eembog\u0103\u0163i \u015fi boga\u0163ii ar s\u0103r\u0103ci. \u00cen ce ar fi D-zeu mai c\u00e2\u015ftigat? Trupul lui n-a vroit femeie; buzele lui n-au avut copil de s\u0103rutat; p\u00e2ntecele lui n-au poftit la m\u00e2nc\u0103ri grase, \u015fi o vecinicie toat\u0103 s\u0103 nu vaz\u0103 fa\u0163a luminoas\u0103 a idolului s\u0103u?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi b\u0103tr\u00e2nul, nemaiput\u00e2nd r\u0103bda aceste g\u00e2nduri, s-a hot\u0103r\u00e2t:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, da, am s\u0103 m\u0103 iau bine cu Dum\u2026 S\u0103 v\u0103d locurile sfinte! Ce jertf\u0103 ar putea \u00eentrece jertfa mea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Locurile sfinte\u2026 lemn sf\u00e2nt\u2026 cei cari nu se duc\u2026 se poate vinde lemnul sf\u00e2nt\u2026 p-acolo toate p\u0103durile trebuie s\u0103 fie sfinte\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei b\u0103tr\u00e2nul s-a dus la hagial\u00e2c \u015fi s-a \u00eentors aghios \u2013 \u201ehagiu\u201d \u2013 sf\u00e2nt, dar mai soios de cum plecase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei tuturor, de c\u00e2te ori \u00eel \u00eentrebau cum e p-acolo, strecura vorba de minunile lemnului sf\u00e2nt. V\u0103zuse el, cu ochii lui, lepro\u015fi vindeca\u0163i cu lemn sf\u00e2nt. Le atingea r\u0103nile cu o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 mic\u0103, mititic\u0103, de lemn, \u015fi r\u0103nile se \u00eenchideau, \u015fi pielea se netezea pe unde fusese carne vie. Un pusnic a tr\u0103it zece ani, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 bage nimic \u00een gura lui, mirosind lemn sf\u00e2nt. Unui nebun i-a venit min\u0163ile la loc cum l-a atins cu lemn sf\u00e2nt pe frunte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Povestind a\u015fa minunile \u015fi \u00eenchin\u00e2ndu-se, Hagiul a v\u00e2ndut lemn sf\u00e2nt b\u0103tr\u00e2nilor, babelor \u015fi v\u0103duvelor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De multe ori Hagiul, vesel c\u0103 s-a pus bine cu Dumnezeu \u015fi fericit c\u0103 \u015fi-a \u00eentors paralele cheltuite cu hagial\u00e2cul \u2013 ba a mai \u015fi c\u00e2\u015ftigat -, bomb\u0103nea, uit\u00e2ndu-se \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce nego\u0163, ce daraveri, ce b\u0103net s-ar face! Lemnul sf\u00e2nt merge g\u0103itan! Acum patruzeci de ani o pr\u0103v\u0103lie cu lemn sf\u00e2nt ar fi fost un potop de aur. Ast\u0103zi lumea \u00eencepe s\u0103 fie rea\u2026 credin\u0163\u0103 pu\u0163in\u0103\u2026 Doamne! Doamne!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei Hagiul \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu cruce c\u0103 lumea s\u0103 ducea la pieire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pustiile de b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163i sunt grele. Tusea \u00eel apuc\u0103 mai des \u015fi-l \u0163ine mai mult; s\u00e2ngele nu mai rabd\u0103 gerul; aducerea-aminte se \u00eempu\u0163ineaz\u0103. Deseori se ceart\u0103 el cu el:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba sunt opt mii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba sunt zece!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce fel zece?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Atunci, dincolo, sunt opt!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015f! nu se poate, asear\u0103 i-am num\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei auzul \u00eel cam las\u0103. De vorbe\u015fte mai tare, se aude, se sperie \u015fi se uit\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na, Hagiule, cap sec, strigi c\u00e2t te ia gura, parc\u0103 cine \u015ftie ce-ai fi av\u00e2nd! Iaca, n-ai, n-ai, n-ai, e\u015fti s\u0103rac lipit!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar \u00een mintea lui: \u201eAm, am ceva, dar e mai bine s\u0103 zic c\u0103 n-am chioar\u0103 para\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0VI<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 la optzeci de ani nu i s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat nimic serios Hagiului. Nu l-a durut un dinte m\u0103car. I-au c\u0103zut to\u0163i de b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, pierz\u00e2ndu-i pe unii \u00een coaj\u0103, pe al\u0163ii \u00een miez de p\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tocmai \u00een \u0103st an se puse o iarn\u0103 grea. Trosneau pomii \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103. Pe geamurile Hagiului \u00eenflorise ghea\u0163a cu frunze mari \u015fi groase. Degeaba se \u00eencerca nepoat\u0103-sa s\u0103 fac\u0103 ochiuri \u00een geam. Rotunjea biata fat\u0103 gura, sufla din toat\u0103 inima; se croia c\u00e2te un rotocol, dar se prindea la loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sufl\u0103 mai cu inim\u0103, Leano, strig\u0103 Hagiul, cocolo\u015fit \u00eentr-un col\u0163 al patului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Suflu, nene Hagiule, suflu, dar m\u0103 taie frigul \u015fi mi-a \u00eenghe\u0163at r\u0103suflarea, r\u0103spunse nepoat\u0103-sa, tremur\u00e2nd c-o cerg\u0103 \u00een spinare. Ar trebui s\u0103-mi dai de lemne, c\u0103 \u00eenlemnim p\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum?\u2026 lemne acum?\u2026 pe frigul \u0103sta? P-a\u015fa frig o cioacl\u0103 de lemne cost\u0103 un galben\u2026 un galben!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana plec\u0103 bomb\u0103nind \u00een odaia d-al\u0103turi. Hagiul r\u0103mase singur. Trist, \u00eentuneric \u015fi frig. V\u00e2ntul se repede pe co\u015f, rece ca ghea\u0163a, \u015fi nu g\u0103se\u015fte \u00een vatr\u0103 nici c\u0103rbuni, nici cenu\u015f\u0103. Hagiul tremur\u0103 \u015fi morfole\u015fte o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de p\u00e2ine. Fiori reci \u00eei trec prin \u015fira spin\u0103rii. Nu-\u015fi mai simte picioarele din t\u0103lpi p\u00e2n\u0103 la genunchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u0103pada se ridic\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la geamuri. \u00cen toat\u0103 mahalaua nu s-aude nici om, nici c\u00e2ne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul adoarme, m\u00e2hnit c\u0103, dac\u0103 iarna va \u0163ine tot a\u015fa, n-o mai duce f\u0103r\u0103 lemne. \u015ei ce scumpe trebuie s\u0103 fie lemnele. A\u015fa e, o s\u0103 ias\u0103 din iarn\u0103 s\u0103rac lipit. A adormit. Se mi\u015fc\u0103. Se \u00eenv\u00e2rte\u015fte. Toat\u0103 noaptea viseaz\u0103 c\u0103 se prigore\u015fte la un foc mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi nepoat\u0103-sa \u00eel g\u0103si pe jum\u0103tate \u00eenghe\u0163at. Abia putu s\u0103 zic\u0103: \u201eLeano, foc, c\u0103 mor\u201d, \u015fi \u00eei \u00eentinse un b\u0103nu\u0163 de aur, \u00eenchiz\u00e2nd ochii. \u00cei fu ru\u015fine ca s\u0103 nu-l vaz\u0103 acel ochi de aur cu c\u00e2t\u0103 u\u015furin\u0163\u0103 \u00eel arunc\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2inile nemiloase ale lumii. Oft\u0103 dureros.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Focul p\u00e2lp\u00e2ie \u00een vatr\u0103. Mormanul de jeratic dogore\u015fte \u015fi arunc\u0103 un polei cald \u015fi rumen, pe peretele din fa\u0163\u0103. Tavanul trosne\u015fte \u015fi zidurile asud\u0103. Leana, cu picioarele goale p\u00e2n\u0103 la genunchi, se p\u0103rp\u0103le\u015fte \u00een gura sobei. B\u0103tr\u00e2nul a ie\u015fit din p\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi-i e cald, \u015fi \u00eel ia cu fiori. Picioarele \u00eei tremur\u0103. E lihnit. \u00cei cere inima o ciorb\u0103, ca niciodat\u0103 \u00een via\u0163a lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce pui at\u00e2tea lemne? Prea multe lemne! Leano, n-auzi? \u015ei tot mi-e frig\u2026 Prea multe lemne!\u2026 Mi-e foame\u2026 O s\u0103 dai foc casei!\u2026 Ah! p\u00e2inea nu m\u0103 mai satur\u0103\u2026 picioarele nu m\u0103 mai \u0163in!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oi fi bolnav, r\u0103spunse Leana. S\u0103 chem pe cineva. L\u00e2ng\u0103 spi\u0163erie e un doftor\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu calce nimeni \u00een casa mea! strig\u0103 Hagiul. C\u00e2t scrie doftorul pe h\u00e2rtie nu pl\u0103te\u015fti cu via\u0163a toat\u0103! Sunt s\u0103n\u0103tos, voinic, mai bine ca oric\u00e2nd!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar, voind s\u0103 umble, c\u0103zu pe pat, zic\u00e2nd: \u201eOh! da, niciodat\u0103 n-am fost mai bine!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 trei zile de friguri Hagiul se scul\u0103 din pat, uscat \u015fi galben, cu ochii du\u015fi \u00een fundul capului, cu p\u0103rul lung \u015fi ciufulit. Leana \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 \u00eenceti\u015for dac\u0103 n-ar vrea ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015f vrea, r\u0103spunse trist Hagiul, a\u015f vrea o ciorb\u0103 de g\u0103in\u0103\u2026 cu ni\u0163ic\u0103 l\u0103m\u00e2ie\u2026 l\u0103m\u00e2ia e scump\u0103\u2026 c\u00e2teva boabe de sare de l\u0103m\u00e2ie\u2026 \u015ei, vezi, g\u0103ina s\u0103 nu fie prea mare\u2026 mic\u0103 \u015fi grea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe sear\u0103, Leana \u00eentinse \u00een mijlocul patului un \u015ftergar. Pe \u015ftergar o strachin\u0103 cu ciorb\u0103 cald\u0103. Aburii se ridic\u0103 din strachin\u0103. O arip\u0103 galben\u0103 iese din zeama pres\u0103rat\u0103 cu stelu\u0163e de gr\u0103sime. Pe buzele str\u0103chinii, o lingur\u0103 de cositor. Al\u0103turi clondirul, cu dou\u0103 degete de vin, cu dop de h\u00e2rtie. Hagiul privi cu l\u0103comie, se \u015fterse pe frunte \u015fi zise cu o nespus\u0103 p\u0103rere de r\u0103u:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce poft\u0103 de copil!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se v\u0103zu topind, el, cu m\u00e2na lui, bulg\u0103ri de aur, turn\u00e2ndu-i \u00een strachin\u0103 \u015fi sorbindu-i cu lingura.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se apropie de pat. \u00cencepu s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce. Plesc\u0103i; \u00ee\u015fi supse gropile din obraji; se \u00eencrunt\u0103; \u015fi-acoperi ochii cu sprincenele; se r\u0103sti la Leana, arunc\u00e2nd lingura:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Una de lemn\u2026 asta e coclit\u0103!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana, r\u00e2vnind la ciorb\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenghi\u0163ind \u00een sec, ie\u015fi afar\u0103 \u015fi-i aduse una de lemn.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul \u00eencepu iar\u0103\u015fi a sorbi zgomotos. Se scutur\u0103 \u015fi scuip\u0103 de mai multe ori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia ciorba d-aci! M-am s\u0103turat\u2026 Sim\u0163 pe g\u00e2t o cocleal\u0103 acr\u0103\u2026 s\u0103rat\u0103\u2026 un miros nesuferit\u2026 Ia-o\u2026 fugi cu ea\u2026 nu vezi?\u2026 \u00eemi sorb via\u0163a!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana lu\u0103 strachina \u015fi ie\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hagiul \u00ee\u015fi tr\u00e2nti capul pe o pern\u0103 de paie. Trupul lui, o flac\u0103r\u0103. Ce friguri! Sub el se deschisese ca o mare f\u0103r\u0103 fund. \u015ei se ducea ad\u00e2nc, ad\u00e2nc, tot mai ad\u00e2nc. \u015ei pe g\u00e2t gustul aurului, s\u00e2ngelui viu al aurului! Nefericit p\u0103rinte, gustase din carnea copiilor lui. Ciorba \u00eei mirosise a aur!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Leana intr\u0103 \u00een odaie, el se ridic\u0103 \u00een coate \u015fi-i strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stinge focul\u2026 s\u0103 dai c\u0103rbunii \u015fi cenu\u015fa \u00eenapoi!\u2026 Arunc\u0103 ciorba\u2026 \u015fi s\u0103 dai fulgii \u015fi buc\u0103\u0163elele \u00eenapoi\u2026 Vreau banii pe jum\u0103tate, dac\u0103 nu to\u0163i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 \u00een hohote.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uciga\u015f!\u2026 nebun!\u2026 nelegiuit!\u2026 \u00een veci n-o s\u0103 te saturi!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana, \u00eenm\u0103rmurit\u0103, s\u0103 uit\u0103 la el. Tocmai atunci s-auzi miorl\u0103ind la u\u015f\u0103 cotoiul, tovar\u0103\u015ful ei de foame \u015fi de tremurat, singura fiin\u0163\u0103 care o m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie \u015fi pe care o m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana cr\u0103p\u0103 u\u015fa. Hagiul se uit\u0103 speriat \u015fi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd cotoiul strecur\u00e2ndu-se pe u\u015f\u0103, se r\u0103sti:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-i tai coada!\u2026 S\u0103-i tai coada!\u2026 O coad\u0103 d-un st\u00e2njen!\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 intre, se r\u0103ce\u015fte odaia!\u2026 S\u0103 cheltuiesc eu pentru el?\u2026 Unde e toporul?\u2026 Am s\u0103 i-o tai eu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se ridic\u0103 \u00een picioare. Picioarele tremurar\u0103, se \u00eendoir\u0103, trosnir\u0103 din \u00eencheieturi. Hagiul se curm\u0103 de mijloc; deschise ochii, mari \u015fi ro\u015fii; c\u0103sc\u0103 gura \u015fi c\u0103zu pe spate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana, speriat\u0103, fugi afar\u0103, \u00eenchin\u00e2ndu-se.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S-a \u00eennoptat. Ea p\u00e2nde\u015fte la u\u015f\u0103. Tremur\u0103 \u015fi inima i se bate. Ar vrea s\u0103 intre, \u015fi spaima c\u0103 e mort or nebun o \u00eenghea\u0163\u0103. V\u00e2ntul fluier\u0103 \u00een stra\u015fina casei. Z\u0103pada le-a troienit u\u015fa pe dinafar\u0103. \u00cen tind\u0103 e frig \u015fi \u00eentuneric.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe la miezul nop\u0163ii se p\u0103ru c\u0103 \u00een odaia Hagiului se t\u00e2r\u0103\u015fte cineva de-a bu\u015filea. Ascult\u0103. Auzi deslu\u015fit un sunet de bani.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 El e. N-a murit, \u015fopti Leana, banii \u00eei prelungesc via\u0163a. S\u0103racu nenea Hagiu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lini\u015ftit\u0103 pu\u0163in, dibui pe \u00eentuneric clan\u0163a de la od\u0103i\u0163a ei, deschise u\u015fa bini\u015for \u015fi se duse s\u0103 se culce, t\u00e2nguind \u00eencet pe nen-s\u0103u Hagiu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103racu, ce bogat este!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, de diminea\u0163\u0103, Leana, intr\u00e2nd \u00een odaia Hagiului, \u00eel g\u0103si numai \u00een c\u0103ma\u015f\u0103, \u00een c\u0103ma\u015fa sa petec de petec, tr\u00e2ntit cu fa\u0163a \u00een jos, pe aur, \u00eengropat \u00een galbeni, cu fruntea p-un purcoi de lire, cu ochii \u00eenchi\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu, \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar, ca prin minune, trupul Hagiului se cutremur\u0103. Banii sunar\u0103 d-a lungul, de la picioare p\u00e2n\u0103 la frunte. S\u0103lt\u0103 capul; deschise ochii stin\u015fi \u015fi-i \u00eendrept\u0103, ca ni\u015fte sticle reci, asupra Leanei; bolborosi c\u00e2teva cuvinte nedeslu\u015fite; mu\u015fc\u0103 \u00een v\u00e2nt cu gingiile albe \u015fi izbuti s\u0103 slomneasc\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te uita\u2026 \u00eenchide ochii\u2026 ochii fur\u0103\u2026 \u00eenchide ochii!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103sc\u0103 gura; limba i se mototoli \u00een g\u00e2t; capul \u00eei c\u0103zu \u00eentr-o parte; picioarele i se lungir\u0103; m\u00e2inile i se \u00eenfipser\u0103 \u00een bani\u2026 \u015fi adormi de veci, cu ochii deschi\u015fi \u015fi \u0163int\u0103 asupra Leanei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd l-au sc\u0103ldat, pe genunchi, pe piept \u015fi pe frunte se vedeau rotocoale de bani. \u015ei i-au rupt pleoapele de sus, \u015fi ochii lui sp\u0103im\u00e2nta\u0163i nu s-au \u00eenchis.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leana l-a \u00eengropat cu alai mare. Zece popi, arhiereu, oranist, coliv\u0103, steagul Bisericii Troi\u0163a, flori, lum\u00e2n\u0103ri, z\u0103branice. Leana, privind, zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce frumuse\u0163e! Bine de el!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La capul lui mergea Leana; dup\u0103 ea, c\u00e2\u0163iva b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, cu ctitorul la mijloc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unul din b\u0103tr\u00e2ni \u00eentreb\u0103 pe ctitor:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce bani a l\u0103sat?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un milion, r\u0103spunse ctitorul!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2t face un milion?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un milion? De zece ori c\u00e2te o sut\u0103 de mii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103racu Hagiu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 ar vedea el cum se cheltuie\u015fte cu \u00eenmorm\u00e2ntarea lui\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ar muri! r\u0103spunse unul din b\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei oranistul, clet\u0103n\u00e2ndu-\u015fi ceaprazurile de fir, intr\u0103 \u00een curtea bisericii. Mai multe glasuri s-auzir\u0103 \u00een dep\u0103rtare: \u201eVe\u015fnica lui pomenire, ve\u015fnica lui pomenire\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dincolo de \u201eCrucea de piatr\u0103\u201d, de-a st\u00e2nga \u015eoselei Vitanului, se ridic\u0103 biserica \u201eSf\u00e2nta Troi\u0163a\u201d. M\u00e2ndre\u0163e de biseric\u0103. Ce zugr\u0103veli, pe din\u0103untru \u015fi pe dinafar\u0103, cum arar se mai pomenesc … <\/p>\n