\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D-a st\u00e2nga R\u00e2ului Doamnei, razna de satul Domne\u015fti, se vede o cas\u0103, alb\u0103 ca laptele, cu ferestrele \u00eencondeiate cu ro\u015fu \u015fi albastru. Pervazurile u\u015fii \u2013 curate ca un pahar; prispa din fa\u0163\u0103 \u2013 lipit\u0103 cu p\u0103m\u00e2nt galben; pe creasta casei, d-o parte \u015fi de alta, sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2ie, la fitece b\u0103taie de v\u00e2nt, dou\u0103 limbi de tinichea, a\u015fezate pe dou\u0103 goange c\u00e2t g\u00e2g\u00e2licea. Curtea, \u00eengr\u0103dit\u0103 cu nuiele de alun; hambar de fag, obor de vite \u015fi grajd pus la p\u0103m\u00e2nt pe patru t\u0103lpoaie groase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0102st c\u0103min fusese odinioar\u0103 cu rost pe c\u00e2nd tr\u0103ia jup\u00e2n Kivu. Fusese chiabur r\u0103posatul, dar biata Kivuleas\u0103, r\u0103mas\u0103 singur\u0103, ca femeia, a luptat cu inima, iar nu cu g\u00e2ndul. S-a pr\u0103p\u0103dit cu firea, c\u0103 Sult\u0103nica ajunsese fat\u0103 mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar c\u00e2nd e s\u0103-i mearg\u0103 r\u0103u omului, pe orice-o pune m\u00e2na s\u0103 sparge.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De c\u00e2te ori n-o podideau lacr\u0103mile pe biata b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, privind acareturile mari, dar pline de s\u0103r\u0103cie \u015fi de pustiu\u2026 Nu cerea de poman\u0103\u2026 da\u2019 \u015fi via\u0163a de azi p\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ine via\u0163\u0103 e, or foc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doi junc\u0103na\u015fi, o vac\u0103, doi c\u00e2rlani, zece oi \u015f-un berbec e s\u0103r\u0103cie lucie la o vatr\u0103 de care alt\u2019dat\u0103 \u0163ineau opt perechi de boi ungure\u015fti, \u015fase vaci cu ugerul c\u00e2t c\u0103ldarea, nou\u0103 cai iu\u0163i \u015f-o turm\u0103 de oi, ce umplea valea r\u00e2ului de beh\u0103it c\u00e2nd coborau dinspre munte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0II<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0E \u00eenceputul lui decembrie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A dat Dumnezeu z\u0103pad\u0103 nemiluit\u0103; \u015fi cade, cade puzderie m\u0103runt\u0103 \u015fi deas\u0103, ca f\u0103ina la cernut, v\u00e2nturat\u0103 de un criv\u0103\u0163 care te orbe\u015fte. Mu\u015fcelele dorm sub z\u0103pad\u0103 de trei palme. P\u0103durile, \u00een dep\u0103rtare, cu tulpini fumurii, par cercelate cu flori de zarz\u0103ri \u015fi de corcodu\u015fi. Vuiet surd s\u0103 \u00eencovoaie pe dup\u0103 dealuri \u015fi s\u0103 pierde \u00een v\u0103i ad\u00e2nci. Cerul e ca le\u015fia. C\u00e2rduri de corbi, prididite de v\u00e2nt, cronc\u0103ie, c\u0103ut\u00e2nd spre p\u0103duri. Viscolul s\u0103 \u00eente\u0163e\u015fte. V\u00e2rtejele trec dintr-un colnic \u00eentr-altul. \u015ei amurgul serei se \u00eentinde ca un z\u0103branic sur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2ul Doamnei, umflat, curge repede, cu un v\u00e2j\u00e2it m\u00e2nios \u00eenecat \u00een glasul v\u00e2ntului, \u015fi izbe\u015fte sloiuri mari de ghea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi butuci gro\u015fi de meterezele podului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arar se vede pui de om trec\u00e2nd prin sat. P\u00e2rtia e acoperit\u0103. Abia se z\u0103resc poteci ca de l\u0103\u0163imea unei lope\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cea mai \u00eengrijit\u0103 leag\u0103 c\u00e2rciuma de prim\u0103rie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lumini g\u0103lbui de v\u0103pai\u0163\u0103 joac\u0103 prin geamurile c\u00e2torva case. Vremea rea a amor\u0163it satul, \u00eendeob\u015fte zgomotos. Numai \u00een b\u0103t\u0103tura Hanului Ro\u015fu h\u0103m\u0103ie r\u0103gu\u015fit doi dul\u0103i de c\u00e2ini.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen c\u00e2rcium\u0103 e arababur\u0103 mare. Firitiseal\u0103 nepomenit\u0103 \u0163ine nea Nicola Grecul, cu frunta\u015fii satului, de ziua sa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O dat\u0103 pe an e Sf. Niculae.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen u\u015fa pr\u0103v\u0103liei st\u0103 un \u0163\u0103ran nalt, sp\u0103tos, cu fa\u0163a conabie ca sfecla; uneori scutur\u0103 din cap, r\u00e2de \u015fi \u00eendrug\u0103 singur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa e omul\u2026 un ciocan, \u00eenc\u0103 unul \u015f-al treilea, p\u00e2n\u0103 ajungi la tinichea\u2026 d-acolo-ncolo\u2026 Dumnezeu cu mila\u2026 torni, parc\u0103 torni \u00eentr-o p\u00e2rnaie\u2026 Dar Sanda ce-o s\u0103 zic\u0103\u2026 c\u0103 mi-a dat Sf\u00e2ntul muiere harnic\u0103, dar rea, topenia p\u0103m\u00e2ntului!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenl\u0103untru s-aud ciocneli de pahare, bu\u015feli de c\u0103lc\u00e2ie \u015fi zb\u00e2rn\u00e2itul otova al cobzarului. Tr\u0103geau chindia de curgea \u0163\u0103r\u00e2na din pod. Apoi, c\u00e2nd s\u0103 mai muia jocul, numai ce-i auzeai pe to\u0163i, care mai de care:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai s\u0103 ne fie de bine, nea Nicola\u2026 La mul\u0163i ani cu spor \u015fi s\u0103n\u0103tate\u2026 Cinstit socru mare\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Suge, suge, c\u0103 doar nu te-a \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nit calea bisericii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai trage-i, p\u0103rin\u0163ele, o leturghie\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te v\u0103z, logofete, care pe care\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fitecine cu ale lui. La nea Nicola veselie, la al\u0163ii obide. Unii abia a\u015fteapt\u0103 Ignatul s\u0103-\u015fi taie gr\u0103sunul c\u00e2t malul, al\u0163ii abia au m\u0103lai de gur\u0103. C\u0103 cine a f\u0103cut lumea, cu de\u015fert\u0103ciunile ei, la unii tun\u0103 \u015fi fulger\u0103, iar pe al\u0163ii \u00eei \u00eembuib\u0103 cu norocul, ca pe curcani cu nuci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0III<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa \u00een\u0163elenise, de pustia de vreme, mai tot satul; \u015fi a\u015fa, hangiul venetic, bogat putred, s\u0103 r\u0103sfoia \u00een duhoarea de \u0163uic\u0103 \u015fi vin, pe c\u00e2nd mama Stanca Kivuleasa st\u0103 m\u00e2hnit\u0103 la gura sobei, m\u00e2ng\u00e2indu-\u015fi odorul pe obraji. Sult\u0103nica a\u0163ipise cu capul \u00een poala m\u0103-sei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Odaia e deretecat\u0103 de \u0163i-e drag s\u0103 te ui\u0163i la ea. Pe pat o scoar\u0163\u0103 aleas\u0103 \u00een fel de fel de mig\u0103lituri. Pernele, cu fe\u0163e de cuadrilat. Pe lacra de sub icoane, dou\u0103 plapumi groase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Spre r\u0103s\u0103rit, trei icoane musc\u0103le\u015fti, ro\u015fii ca para focului. To\u0163i sfin\u0163ii se aseam\u0103n\u0103 ca dou\u0103 pic\u0103turi de ap\u0103. To\u0163i au ochii din trei linii, nasul dintr-una \u015fi gura din dou\u0103. C\u00e2t despre sf. Gheorghe, c\u0103lare p-un cal cu g\u00e2tul de cocost\u00e2rc, tot omoar\u0103 \u015fi nu mai omoar\u0103 un balaur de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul cel\u0103lalt. Mai jos de icoane arde candela.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toate cele sfinte sunt \u00eenconjurate cu m\u0103nunchi de busuioc \u015fi siminoc, din Vinerea Patimilor, str\u00e2ns legate \u00een vl\u0103star de salcie de la Florii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Focul p\u00e2lp\u00e2ie. C\u00e2teodat\u0103 pocne\u015fte de-arunc\u0103 spuza \u00een sus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei Sult\u0103nica deschide repede ni\u015fte ochi ca pruna de mari. \u015ei mama Stanca, ferind-o de sc\u00e2ntei, \u00eei zice \u00eencetinel: “Dormi puiul mamii, dormi!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica strecur\u0103, printre genele ei de catifea, dou\u0103 lacr\u0103mi. Una se \u00eentinse pe obraz, iar alta \u00eei \u00eencre\u0163i gura.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata Kivului e cum arar se mai afl\u0103 sub soare. Chipul ei parc-ar fi zugr\u0103vit: alb \u015fi cu dou\u0103 r\u0103suri pe obraji. Ochi negri ca mura, frumo\u015fi de pic\u0103, dar c\u00e2nd \u00eei \u00eencrunt\u0103, te sperie ca-ntunericul. P\u0103rul lins, cu unde alb\u0103strui. S\u0103 poart\u0103 cu t\u00e2mple. A\u015fa a apucat de la m\u0103-sa, \u015fi m\u0103-sa de la m\u0103-sa, obicei adus de pe ob\u00e2r\u015fia Ialomi\u0163ei, unde nu se \u015ftia de cre\u0163uri \u015fi col\u0163i\u015fori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nichii \u00eei este drag\u0103 cur\u0103\u0163enia ca lumina ochilor, c\u0103 chiar de n-ar avea spr\u00e2ncenele trase ca din condei \u015fi buze rumene ca bobocul de trandafir, tot n-ar da cu foi\u0163\u0103 \u015fi cu muc de lum\u00e2nare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd merge, salt\u0103 pu\u0163in \u015fi se ml\u0103die. Trup omenesc de n-ar fi, s-ar fr\u00e2nge.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Multe capete a sucit. Mul\u0163i ochi au jinduit-o.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen hor\u0103 fur\u0103 toate privirile, \u015fi ea s-aprinde d-ai crede c\u0103 se tope\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ce v\u00e2lnic, \u015fi ce n\u0103fram\u0103, \u015fi ce c\u0103ma\u015f\u0103 de borangic, galben\u0103 ca spicul \u015fi sub\u0163ire ca p\u00e2nza p\u0103iajenului, \u00eenc\u00e2t i se simte tot s\u00e2nul, pietros ca poama p\u00e2rguit\u0103, cum se bate c\u00e2nd abia r\u0103sufl\u0103 de osteneal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103 crape de c\u0103ldur\u0103, nu-\u015fi sumete m\u00e2nicu\u0163ele \u00een fa\u0163a fl\u0103c\u0103ilor. S\u0103 se \u00eembrebeneasc\u0103 ea cu g\u0103lbenele \u015fi bujori, cu crei\u0163e \u015fi cu ochiu-boului? Nu scrie la d\u00e2nsa a\u015fa \u0163ig\u0103nie. He, arareori, numai ce-o vezi cu c\u00e2te-o br\u00e2ndu\u015fe \u00een p\u0103r, ori cu doi-trei didi\u0163ei \u00eentre betele ce-i \u00eencol\u0103cesc mijlocul de patru ori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La \u015fez\u0103tori s-a dus o singur\u0103 dat\u0103 de c\u00e2nd e fat\u0103 mare, dar de atunci s\u0103 nu-i mai pomene\u015fti: “Cui \u00eei arde de zbenguit e s\u0103ritoare pentru a\u015fa treab\u0103”. C\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 se coace dovleacul \u00een sob\u0103, c\u00e2\u0163iva fl\u0103c\u0103i dau iama prin fete. Le mai ciupesc, le mai s\u0103rut\u0103 de le scot ruji \u00een obraz. Ba unora le ia or betele, or spilca, or n\u0103frama, \u015fi duminica, la hor\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 li le dea, le snopesc o toan\u0103 pe dup\u0103 \u015fura din spatele hanului. Unii mai \u00eempeli\u0163a\u0163i numai ce-i auzi: “S\u0103ri, cut\u0103ri\u0163\u0103, de sufl\u0103 \u00een \u0103l foc!” \u015ei c\u00e2nd biata fat\u0103 st\u0103-n genunchi, sufl\u00e2nd din b\u0103irile inimii, odat\u0103 \u00eei d\u0103 br\u00e2nci \u015fi cade pe spate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica e leit\u0103-poleit\u0103 r\u0103posatului. C\u00e2nd se aprinde, nu te po\u0163i apropia cale d-o po\u015ftie. C\u00e2nd vrea ceva, vrea, nu se \u00eencurc\u0103. De s\u0103 m\u00e2nie, nu mai vede \u00eenaintea ochilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi, la sapa porumbului, cine \u015ftie ce i-a n\u0103z\u0103rit, c\u0103 cu toate rug\u0103ciunile m\u0103-sei, n-a voit s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce din zori p\u00e2n\u0103 la amurg \u015fi n-a l\u0103sat sapa din m\u00e2n\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 n-a c\u0103zut rupt\u0103 de osteneal\u0103. A dus-o biata b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 mai mult moart\u0103 dec\u00e2t vie acas\u0103. A doua zi, c\u00e2nd s-a dezmeticit \u015f-a v\u0103zut pe mama Stanca la capul ei, galben\u0103 ca turta de cear\u0103, cu p\u0103rul alb \u015fi ciufulit, cu ochii tra\u015fi de durere, a s\u0103rit la g\u00e2tul ei \u015fi, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 nici pis, a \u00eenceput s-o s\u0103rute \u015fi p-o parte \u015fi pe alta, p\u00e2n-a podidit-o un pl\u00e2ns d-a muiat un \u015ftergar \u00eentreg-\u00eentregule\u0163.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unele mai iste\u0163e din sat au \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftiat zvonul c\u0103 ar cam suferi de vrun farmec.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De harnic\u0103, harnic\u0103, n-are cum mai fi! Unde pune m\u00e2na, Dumnezeu cu mila! Sare din v\u00e2rful stogului \u015fi cade ca un fulg. \u00cen argea nu i se v\u0103d m\u00e2inile. C\u00e2nd toarce, m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 caierul. De cinstit\u0103, nu e obraz mai curat. C\u00e2nd Ioni\u0163\u0103 Rotarul, om chipe\u015f \u015fi hazl\u00e2u, s-a \u00eencercat s-o s\u0103rute, a s\u0103rit parc-ar fi c\u0103lcat pe coad\u0103 de \u015farpe \u015fi, \u00een mijlocul fl\u0103c\u0103imii, i-a strigat:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mi-a\u015f t\u0103ia obrazul, dar \u0163i-a\u015f t\u0103ia buzele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0IV<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce punea satul \u00een nedumirire, \u015fi mai v\u00e2rtos p-ale ce cat\u0103 nod \u00een papur\u0103, e c\u00e2nd apuc\u0103 lumea \u00een cap \u015fi trece nou\u0103 hotare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai ce-o vezi, la rev\u0103rsatul zorilor, c\u0103 o ia rara-rara, prin f\u00e2nea\u0163\u0103. Galben\u0103, cu cearc\u0103ne vinete \u00een jurul ochilor. Merge ce merge, \u015fi s\u0103 opre\u015fte la vrun deal, la vrun p\u00e2r\u00e2u. Ascult\u0103 neclintit\u0103 un ceas, dou\u0103. V\u00e2ntul bate holdele. Izvoarele dau d-a dura pietricelele din matc\u0103 \u015fi le sun\u0103 ca pe ni\u015fte zurg\u0103l\u0103i auzite din dep\u0103rtare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi culege flori \u015fi le azv\u00e2rl\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce i se aprind obrajii \u015fi s\u0103 treze\u015fte ca dintr-un somn ad\u00e2nc. Ochii \u00eei sclipesc ca o\u0163elul \u00eenv\u00e2rtit la soare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joi\u0163a Baciului ar fi v\u0103zut-o la un apus de soare cu capul rezemat de crucea din cre\u015ftetul mu\u015fcelului ce desparte apa V\u00e2lsanii de R\u00e2ul Doamnei, privind, ca dus\u0103 de pe lume, la ro\u015fea\u0163a apusului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Obosit\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri, se \u00eentorcea spre cas\u0103 cu c\u0103ut\u0103tura-n jos, cu un nod \u00een g\u00e2t, cu gura fript\u0103 de sete. \u015ei de \u00eent\u00e2lnea vrun izvor, bea p\u00e2n\u0103 i se oprea r\u0103suflarea. Apoi, f\u0103c\u00e2nd m\u00e2inile c\u0103ld\u0103ru\u015fe, le umplea cu ap\u0103 rece ca ghea\u0163a \u015fi limpede ca diamantul, pe care \u015f-o arunca \u00een obraji.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Da\u2019 s\u0103 te fereasc\u0103 Cel-de-sus de gura satului \u015fi de pizma celor vinova\u0163i \u015fi r\u0103i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-avea s\u0103 scoat\u0103 capul \u00een lume Sult\u0103nica, ea, care, de bun\u0103 ce era, \u015f-ar fi dat \u015fi dumicatul din gur\u0103, c\u0103 \u00eencepeau \u015fu\u015fuitul \u015fi ponoasele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2te-n lun\u0103 \u015fi-n soare-i scorneau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sult\u0103nica, frumoas\u0103? Aida-de!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai bine \u00ee\u015fi pune g\u00e2tul pe t\u0103ietor Ilinca, ciupita de v\u0103rsat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 E o fudul\u0103, o luat\u0103 din Iele, n-are toate s\u00e2mbetele. C\u00e2nd umbl\u0103, calc\u0103-n str\u0103chini. Numai nevast\u0103 ca toate nevestele n-o s\u0103 fie Sultana aia, zicea la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, la hor\u0103, la \u015fez\u0103tori fata Ciau\u015fului. Ce are neica de nu i-a primit pe\u0163itul? Au nu e voinic? Or e be\u0163iv, stric\u0103tor de case, zurbagiu? Au n-are de pe ce bea ap\u0103? He, he, fata proast\u0103 \u015fi \u0163\u00e2fnoas\u0103 d\u0103 norocului cu piciorul. Da\u2019 de, om s\u0103rac \u015fi cu nasul \u00een sus\u2026 \u015etie Dumnezeu ce face!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei fl\u0103c\u0103ii, mai to\u0163i, o luaser\u0103 \u00een nume de r\u0103u. Nu, c\u0103 de ce s\u0103 fie a\u015fa de mut\u0103? De ce s\u0103 fug\u0103 de to\u0163i parc-ar fi r\u00e2io\u015fi? O fat\u0103 mare se mai las\u0103 ba la un s\u0103rutat \u2013 c\u0103 d-aia are gur\u0103 dulce \u2013 ba la un giugiulit \u2013 c\u0103 d-aia are s\u00e2n cu dr\u0103g\u0103nele. \u015ei \u015ftii, cum e omul, din una \u00eentr-alta, se \u00eengroa\u015fe gluma, \u015fi c\u0103p\u0103tuiala vine, c\u0103 mo\u015f popa ce-a\u015fteapt\u0103? S\u0103 dezlege dorul dup\u0103 pofta inimii. Altfel c\u00e2nt\u0103 cucul pe fat\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103m\u00e2ne mo\u015foroi f\u0103r\u0103 soboli.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S-auzea, \u00een dep\u0103rtare, chiuit de dan\u0163 \u015fi pocnete de pistol la nea Nicola Grecul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2ntul vuia de te lua groaza. M\u0103z\u0103richea r\u0103p\u0103ia \u00een fereastra mamii Stanchii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica ridic\u0103 capul din poala m\u0103-sei. Se alipi de b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. O cuprinse pe dup\u0103 g\u00e2t cu bra\u0163ele rumenite de dogoarea focului \u015fi privi lung \u00een chipul ofilit al b\u0103tr\u00e2nii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Buzele mamii Stanchii tremurau. Multe \u00eei treceau prin cap \u015fi multe prin inim\u0103 c\u00e2nd grecoteiul se desf\u0103ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103, mam\u0103, gr\u0103i b\u0103tr\u00e2na, mo\u015f popa, c\u00e2nd spune din Vanghelie, cic\u0103 s\u0103 rabzi \u015fi iar s\u0103 rabzi\u2026 A\u015fa e, p\u0103rin\u0163ele\u2026 a\u015fa e\u2026 c\u0103 Mielu\u015felul Domnului a r\u0103bdat scuipat, b\u0103taie \u015fi r\u0103stignire\u2026 Dar c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc la r\u0103posatul \u015f-auz chiuitul ca\u0163aonului, m\u0103 podidesc lacr\u0103mile, Sult\u0103nica mamii, \u015fi blestem din suflet, doar\u0103 de l-o ajunge m\u00e2nia Domnului!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica str\u00e2nse v\u0103traiul de-i zb\u00e2rn\u00e2i \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu mai pot, gr\u0103i iar b\u0103tr\u00e2na, nu mai pot s\u0103-mi t\u00e2r\u0103sc zilele, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uit la tine \u015fi nu \u015ftiu pe ce m\u00e2ni o s\u0103 cazi\u2026 Aveam \u015fi noi, pe vremea Kivului, rod \u015fi vite cu duiumul; p\u0103tulele gemeau de pline; b\u0103t\u0103tura nu mai \u00eenc\u0103pea de vite \u015fi lighioi. Mugeau de zguduiau casa vacile. \u015ei ce te pomeneai c\u0103 se aruncau pe r\u0103sf\u0103\u0163. Rupeau p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cu fuga, de la un gard la altul, cu coada \u00een sus, clet\u0103nat\u0103 ca o m\u0103ciuc\u0103. \u015ease arga\u0163i nu le da de cap p\u00e2n\u0103 nu se potoleau de bun\u0103voie \u015fi nu c\u0103tau spre obor, d\u00e2nd din cap \u015fi b\u0103g\u00e2nd limba \u015fi p-o nare, \u015fi pe alta. Bietul tat-t\u0103u se uita m\u00e2ndru la bog\u0103\u0163ia lui cinstit\u0103. Parc\u0103-l v\u0103z, c-o m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een \u015ferparu-i civit, alerg\u00e2nd de colo-colo. Ce h\u0103rnicie de om! Tot satul nu-i \u0163inea piept. C\u00e2nd punea m\u00e2na pe plug, trosneau coarnele. C\u00e2nd da cu sapa, intra cu muchie cu tot. Coasa \u00een m\u00e2inile lui r\u0103dea ca briciul. Tu erai mic\u0103 \u015fi nebunatic\u0103. Cum te z\u0103rea c\u0103-i ie\u015fi \u00eenainte, cu m\u0103nu\u015fi\u0163ele pline de noroi, cre\u015ftea inima \u00een el \u015fi se topea d-a-n picioarele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bietul tata!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Focul p\u00e2lp\u00e2ia \u00een gura sobei. Mu\u015fcelele alburii abia se mai z\u0103reau prin geamuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cen toiul verii, \u00eendat\u0103 ce venea rupt de osteneal\u0103, ne osp\u0103tam bine, apoi ne odihneam pe prisp\u0103. Pe tine te-a\u015feza ca p-o lai\u0163\u0103 pe genunchi, \u015fi te juca, \u015fi spunea, \u015fi r\u00e2dea, \u015fi tu-i b\u0103gai m\u00e2na \u00een barb\u0103. Uite a\u015fa ne-apuca miezul nop\u0163ii. \u00cel luam cu d-a sila la culcare. Auz \u015f-acum glasul lui: “S\u0103 mai st\u0103m, f\u0103 Stanc\u0103, f\u0103, c\u0103 parc\u0103 m\u0103-ngra\u015f c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uit la voi!” Era rai, nu via\u0163\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 prip\u0103\u015fi, ca pomojnic, pe plaiurile noastre, iuda de ca\u0163aon. \u015ei-a sosit \u00eentr-un ceas r\u0103u. L\u0103custe erau, secet\u0103 era, vitele boleau \u015fi mureau p-un cap\u0103t. Dar ce s\u0103 mai \u00eendrug Sult\u0103nica mamii\u2026 \u00centr-un an, a f\u0103cut ce-a f\u0103cut, lipitoarea, l-a b\u0103gat \u00een judec\u0103\u0163i \u015fi l-a l\u0103sat s\u0103rac lipit. Kivu era iute \u015f-avea \u015f-un bete\u015fug de tuse. S-a luat la contr\u0103 \u015fi, de m\u00e2hnire, s-a-mboln\u0103vit. C\u00e2nd \u015f-a dat sufletul, m\u0103 str\u00e2ngea de m\u00e2ni ca c-un cle\u015fte \u015fi te chema, ars d-un foc nestins. “\u00cenc\u0103 doi ani\u2026 S\u0103 nu v\u0103 las pe drumuri”\u2026 a zis \u015fi i-am \u00eenchis ochii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe mama Stanca o podidiser\u0103 lacr\u0103mile; curgeau pic\u0103turi mari pe vatra de c\u0103r\u0103mizi calde, \u015fi de unde c\u0103deau se ridicau aburi \u00eenghi\u0163i\u0163i de gura sobei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu mai pl\u00e2nge, mam\u0103, zise Sult\u0103nica s\u0103rind \u00een sus. \u00cei dau foc\u2026 s\u0103 arz\u0103 ca \u015foarecii\u2026 Doar nu s-au stins to\u0163i ai Kivului!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca \u00eenghe\u0163\u0103 v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe Sult\u0103nica n\u0103prasnic\u0103 la corp \u015fi cu ochii ca doi c\u0103rbuni aprin\u015fi. Dup\u0103 c\u00e2teva clipiri dese, zise cu mare evlavie:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103-\u0163i cruce, fata mea, f\u0103-\u0163i cruce, avuse\u015fi un g\u00e2nd r\u0103u\u2026 Necuratul a trecut pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 noi\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2na \u015fopti de trei ori, plec\u00e2nd fruntea \u00een jos: “Numele Tat\u0103lui, \u015f-al Fiului, \u015f-al Sf\u00e2ntului Duh, amin”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se lini\u015ftir\u0103. Sult\u0103nica arunc\u0103 o buturug\u0103 \u00een sob\u0103. B\u0103tr\u00e2na turn\u0103 untdelemn \u00een candel\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi \u015fterse pe frunte de\u015ftile atinse de paharul ce ardea la sfintele icoane.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am s\u0103-\u0163i fac o rug\u0103ciune, mam\u0103. Iac\u0103, ast\u0103zi fuse S-tul Niculae, vreau \u015fi eu s\u0103-ncerc mila cerului. S\u0103 stau la privighere p\u00e2n\u0103 la c\u00e2ntatul coco\u015filor d-a treia oar\u0103. Poate s\u0103 ne arunce cuviosul Niculae vro pung\u0103 cu bani, c\u0103 v\u0103duva din carte avea trei fete, \u015fi pe c\u00e2tetrele le-a c\u0103p\u0103tuit\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca, cu tot amarul de care era cov\u00e2r\u015fit\u0103, z\u00e2mbi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De, maic\u0103, s-a cam umplut lumea de rele, d-aia \u015fi Milostivul nu mai face minuni. Ei, odinioar\u0103 a fost cum a fost, dar acum e prea de tot\u2026 O s\u0103 ne apuce judecata d-apoi\u2026 O s\u0103 plou\u0103 foc \u015fi pucioas\u0103\u2026 \u015ei \u00eengerii Atot\u015etiitorului vor buciuma: “Scula\u0163i, mor\u0163i, din morminte!\u2026 ” Domnul \u015f-a \u00eentors fa\u0163a de la noi, p\u0103c\u0103to\u015fii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-mi \u00eencerc \u015fi eu norocul\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, Sult\u0103nico, fie \u015f-a\u015fa, r\u0103spunse Kivuleasa \u015fi, f\u0103c\u00e2nd trei cruci c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iului, s\u0103 v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een plapum\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca sfor\u0103ia dus\u0103. Din vreme \u00een vreme ofta, \u00eenghi\u0163ind \u00een sec.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0VI<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fitece oftare, n\u0103bu\u015fit\u0103 \u00een plapum\u0103, sugruma pe Sult\u0103nica. G\u00e2ndul ei era ne\u00eendurat. Amestecase cele sfinte cu cele lume\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cine pe lume a sc\u0103pat de chinul din care izvor\u0103\u015fte omenirea cu bunele \u015fi relele ei? To\u0163i trec p-acolo, oric\u00e2t s-ar ru\u015fina.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica r\u0103t\u0103cea ca o umbr\u0103, nu de vrun farmec; ci, c\u00e2nd e s\u0103 te biruie dragostea, s\u0103 te pui \u00een cruci\u015f \u015fi-n curmezi\u015f, s\u0103 te tai \u015fi s\u0103 presari sare pe crest\u0103turi, spuz\u0103 s\u0103 pui pe piept, tot degeaba. Toate durerile trupului le ui\u0163i pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 focul dragostei, de este foc cu adev\u0103rat. \u015ei a\u015fa fusese s\u0103 fie cu Sult\u0103nica, c\u0103 nu era d-alea ce pun pe ele carnea cu lopata \u015fi trece prin toate \u015fi buture de rovin\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ne: b\u00e2z\u00e2ie f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ia foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103 dup\u0103 cum sim\u0163ea Sult\u0103nica\u2026 de s-ar fi v\u00e2r\u00e2t \u00een gaur\u0103 de \u015farpe \u015fi s-ar fi dat v\u00e2ntului turbat\u2026 era ceva din altul \u00een ea\u2026 un chip\u2026 ni\u015fte ochi\u2026 un s\u0103rutat ce-o tot s\u0103ruta \u00een acela\u015fi loc\u2026 \u015fi o fura, \u015fi o ducea, legat\u0103-ferecat\u0103, acolo unde numai foc\u015forul ei \u015ftia\u2026 Se pr\u0103p\u0103dea dup\u0103 Dr\u0103gan C\u0103prarul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0VII<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103prarul, sc\u0103pat de milit\u0103rie, cu una, cu alta, mai cu ce avea de la p\u0103rin\u0163i, scoase ap\u0103 din piatr\u0103 \u015fi ajunsese a fi jinduit de multe fete \u00een sat. Unii \u00eel f\u0103ceau, nu e vorb\u0103, pi\u015ficher, papugiu de Bucure\u015fti, dar cum ziceau al\u0163ii, din prietenii lui: “A\u015fa e moara tr\u00e2ndavilor. C\u0103\u0163\u0103ie, c\u0103 nu \u0163ine parale. P\u00e2n\u0103 o pune C\u0103prarul m\u00e2na \u00een chica vrunuia, s\u0103-i fac\u0103 mori\u015fc\u0103 de v\u00e2nt.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2rd\u0103\u015fia lui erau din fl\u0103c\u0103i de munc\u0103 ca Voicu Ciau\u015fului, ce nu se prea uita cu ochi buni l-alde Kivu, ca Ioni\u0163\u0103 Rotarul \u015fi al\u0163ii. Nu-l vedeai umbl\u00e2nd pe dou\u0103 c\u0103r\u0103ri. R\u0103m\u00e2nea poricine la prinsori. Prindea arm\u0103sarul din herghelie cu din\u0163ii de n\u0103rile nasului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Frumos, chipe\u015f, avea o uit\u0103tur\u0103 vie \u015fi cam ascuns\u0103, de nu-l ghiceai ce-ar vrea \u015fi ce n-ar vrea. Must\u0103\u0163i negre \u015fi dese. De le netezea, pleca pu\u0163in capul \u015fi p-o m\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi pe alta. C\u0103ma\u015fa pe el, ca floarea. C\u0103ciula \u0163urc\u0103neasc\u0103, tr\u00e2ntit\u0103 p-o ureche, \u00eel prindea ca p-un haiduc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Era vesel \u015fi glume\u0163.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar de prin priar se schimb\u0103 Dr\u0103gan al nostru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepu s\u0103 dea t\u00e2rcoale Sult\u0103nichii. C\u00e2nd \u00eel c\u0103tai, de era \u015fi Sult\u0103nica la hor\u0103, el sta deoparte m\u00e2hnit, privea gale\u015f, r\u0103sucind vrun pai \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D-o \u00eent\u00e2lnea la ad\u0103patul vitelor, i-ajuta cu drag\u0103 inim\u0103, apoi \u00eentreba \u00eencetinel de mama Stanca. \u015ei c\u00e2nd zicea “mama”, i se lipeau buzele, ca unse cu miere. De-i ajuta s\u0103 puie \u00een spinare cobili\u0163a cu cofele, s\u0103 n-o fi atins de m\u00e2n\u0103, c\u0103 pleca ochii \u00een jos ru\u015finat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Azi a\u015fa, m\u00e2ne a\u015fa, c\u0103 Sult\u0103nica, c\u00e2nd prinse de veste, i se p\u0103ru a\u015fa de veche treab\u0103, c\u0103 d-ar fi fost de c\u00e2nd lumea ar fi fost mai de cur\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I se f\u0103cu fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ba s\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00ee s\u0103 nu mai dea ochii cu d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u00eel ocoli, \u015fi fur\u0103 trei veacuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi o lu\u0103 razna p-un piept de mu\u015fcel, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie \u00eencotro. F\u00e2nul \u00eei trecea de mijloc. Ar\u015fi\u0163a \u00eencepuse de diminea\u0163\u0103. C\u00e2ntau p\u0103s\u0103rile de te sl\u0103veau. L\u0103custele zb\u00e2rn\u00e2iau \u015fi tot a bine \u015f-a duios spuneau \u015fi ele. Florile \u00ee\u0163i luau ochii \u015fi te-adormeau cu mirosul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica c\u0103ta alinare, \u015fi, \u00een de\u015fert, alinare nu g\u0103sea. Toate o munceau s-o r\u0103puie. C\u0103 d-o supunea fr\u0103m\u00e2ntarea, d-o muia dorul \u015fi s\u00e2ngele de-i n\u0103v\u0103lea \u00een colcote la cap, s\u0103 tr\u00e2ntea cu fa\u0163a la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi s\u0103ruta florile, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce o piroteal\u0103 pl\u0103cut\u0103 o f\u0103cea nici s-adoarm\u0103, nici de\u015fteapt\u0103 s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei sim\u0163ea \u00een ast\u0103 zi de pribegie o nedumirire, c\u0103 suia c\u0103tre culmea dealului, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i pese de ciulinii \u015fi rugii ce-i t\u0103iau picioarele ca un her\u0103str\u0103u. Plaiul, cu podoaba lui, o ame\u0163ea \u00eentr-un v\u00e2rtej de \u00eentristare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunse \u00een v\u00e2rf, p\u0103m\u00e2ntul i se \u00eenv\u00e2rti supt t\u0103lpi; mintea i se cl\u0103tin\u0103 de spaima ce te cuprinde c\u00e2nd te pr\u0103bu\u015fe\u015fti \u00eentr-o vultoare\u2026 La umbra unui p\u0103ducel, Dr\u0103gan sta p-un buture de stejar.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dr\u0103gan arunc\u0103 ghioaga cu care b\u0103tea p\u0103i\u015ful, r\u0103sturn\u0103 o tivg\u0103 cu lapte b\u0103tut \u015fi strig\u0103 ca scos din fire: “Sult\u0103nico, m\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103de\u015fti!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum, ce fel, de ce\u2026 s\u0103 trezir\u0103 str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-se \u00een bra\u0163e, c\u0103 bra\u0163ele le curma trupul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din acest ceas se \u00eent\u00e2lneau pe ascuns de lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica bolea. Nu adormea dec\u00e2t despre ziu\u0103. Vise ur\u00e2te \u00eei turburau odihna.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0VIII<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-acum, \u00een noaptea de S-tul Nicolae, era vorba s\u0103 se vaz\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca dormea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica sufl\u0103 \u00een v\u0103pai\u0163\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103zu la icoane. Galben\u0103 ca turta de cear\u0103, d\u0103 s\u0103 se roage, \u015fi nu poate s\u0103-\u015fi adune g\u00e2ndurile risipite. O sudoare rece \u00eei brobon\u0103 fruntea. \u00ce\u015fi acoperi fa\u0163a cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile. Socotise c\u0103 icoanele s-au cl\u0103tinat, voind s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 de la d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencet-\u00eencet, ca o stafie, s\u0103 t\u00e2r\u00ee p\u00e2n\u0103 la gura sobei. La lumina focului parc\u0103 murise \u015fi \u00eenviase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“\u00cen\u015fel pe mama, necinstesc curatele sale b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163i, \u00een\u015fel cele sfinte!” Deodat\u0103, lumina ochilor \u00eei sc\u0103p\u0103r\u0103. Gura sobei se l\u0103rge\u015fte, buzele-i de p\u0103m\u00e2nt se ro\u015fesc, r\u00e2njesc, se \u00eentind ca un g\u00e2tlej de balaur; fl\u0103c\u0103rile sunt limbi de foc ce s\u0103 r\u0103sucesc \u015fi se desfac; duduitul dinl\u0103untru s\u0103 porne\u015fte ca un potop de jale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nichii, privind la v\u00e2lv\u0103t\u0103ile din sob\u0103, i s\u0103 p\u0103ruse c-a v\u0103zut gura \u015fi muncile Iadului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Speriat\u0103, se repezi din nou la icoane \u015fi d\u0103du-n genunchi. S\u0103 rug\u0103, morm\u0103i: “\u00cemp\u0103rate ceresc, m\u00e2ng\u00e2ietorule\u2026 ” \u00cendurarea s\u0103 cobor\u00ee pe chipul ei. Vedeniile o p\u0103r\u0103sir\u0103. Fa\u0163a i s\u0103 lumin\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103zu cu fruntea la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei de ce mila de sus s\u0103 n-o ajute? Nu s-a grijit la Pa\u015fte \u015fi la Cr\u0103ciun? Cine, ca d\u00e2nsa, a mai atins Sf\u00e2ntul Potir cu at\u00e2ta evlavie? \u015ei dac\u0103 dragostea curat\u0103 e p\u0103cat neiertat, cum de at\u00e2tea fete mari fug cu fl\u0103c\u0103ii, \u015fi unele neveste s\u0103 dau afund cu t\u00e2rgove\u0163ii, \u015fi tot bine, tot vesele, tot zile albe duc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ispita ei e mai afar\u0103 din cale? Un s\u0103rutat o arde trei zile \u015fi fitece b\u0103l\u0103rie o amenin\u0163\u0103 s-o dea de gol satului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce vede pe Dr\u0103gan, vestmintele o doboar\u0103 ca ni\u015fte piei de plumb. \u00cendat\u0103 ce scap\u0103 din bra\u0163ele lui, e ceva care o \u00eencinge \u015fi-i zdrobe\u015fte oasele. N-o s\u0103-i mai vie minte la cap. D-ar fi de \u0163\u00e2\u0163\u0103, \u015fi tot n-ar fi a\u015fa de proast\u0103 \u015fi de capie. Vezi bine\u2026 nu se poate\u2026 Ce e de la ea nu e\u2026 nu e dup\u0103 cum vrea, ci dup\u0103 cum \u00eei e scris s\u0103 vrea\u2026 Cine ne-a dat inima s\u0103 nu ne fi \u00eenfipt dorul \u015fi dragostea \u00een ea\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica str\u00e2nse pumnii de-i trosnir\u0103 de\u015ftele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen u\u015fa tinzii s\u0103 auzi cioc\u0103nind \u00eenceti\u015for.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica abia-\u015fi st\u0103p\u00e2ni r\u0103suflarea. \u00ce\u015fi netezi p\u0103rul. \u00ce\u015fi a\u015fez\u0103 fusta \u00eenaintea icoanelor. Vru s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u015fi se cl\u0103tin\u0103. \u00cei amor\u0163ise un picior. Apoi ie\u015fi \u00een v\u00e2rful degetelor, arunc\u00e2nd o c\u0103ut\u0103tur\u0103 speriat\u0103. Tr\u0103sese z\u0103vorul prea repede.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca doarme \u00eenv\u00e2rtindu-se \u015fi p-o parte, \u015fi pe alta. Chipul ei, zb\u00e2rcit, uscat \u015fi luminat de candel\u0103, parc-ar fi chip de moa\u015fte. Viseaz\u0103\u2026 Ar voi s\u0103 scape de vro primejdie\u2026 Se-ntunec\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0IX<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se crap\u0103 de ziu\u0103. O f\u0103\u015fie de lumin\u0103, ca un br\u00e2u de argint, se \u00eentinde spre soare-r\u0103sare. Codrii fumurii parc\u0103 plutesc \u00een dep\u0103rtare \u015fi ogr\u0103zile sunt albe de z\u0103pad\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica g\u00e2f\u00e2ie, sco\u0163\u00e2nd, pe gur\u0103 \u015fi pe nas, aburi gro\u015fi ce-i c\u0103run\u0163esc p\u0103rul \u015fi genele. Picioarele i s\u0103 scufund\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la glezne. Nasul ei e ro\u015fu-v\u00e2n\u0103t. Lacr\u0103mile i-au \u00eenghe\u0163at pe obraz. Se lumineaz\u0103. Ea vrea s\u0103 mearg\u0103 mai iute \u015fi cade. S\u0103 scoal\u0103 repede \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi cade.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Speriat\u0103, prive\u015fte \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. S\u0103 t\u0103iase \u00een ghea\u0163\u0103. C\u00e2teva pic\u0103turi de s\u00e2nge c\u0103zur\u0103 pe z\u0103pada alb\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Un v\u00e2nt u\u015for scutur\u0103, din ramurile pomilor, o puzderie de ninsoare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica apuc\u0103 o p\u00e2rtie acoperit\u0103 cu z\u0103pad\u0103 m\u0103runt\u0103, ce sare ca praful sub pa\u015fii ei pripi\u0163i. \u00cen dreptul morarului, pune capu-n p\u0103m\u00e2nt, furi\u015f\u00e2nd o uit\u0103tur\u0103 numai cu coada ochilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Un m\u00e2r\u00e2it de c\u00e2ine o face s\u0103 tresar\u0103 \u015f-un \u0163ip\u0103t de g\u00e2scan i-arunc\u0103 inima din loc. \u00ce\u015fi \u00eencordeaz\u0103 puterile \u015f-o rupe la fug\u0103. Case, plute b\u0103tr\u00e2ne, troieni c\u00e2t dealurile, ogr\u0103zi de pruni, toate fug \u015fi s-afund\u0103 \u00een urma ei. \u00centr-o clip\u0103 trece podul de peste R\u00e2ul Doamnei. Nu s-ar mai uita \u00eenapoi s-o poleie\u015fti cu aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A ajuns acas\u0103. L\u0103bu\u015f, c\u00e2inele cur\u0163ii, cu p\u0103r ca de lup, \u00eencepe a l\u0103tra \u015f-a se gudura pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica pune m\u00e2na pe clan\u0163\u0103, dar nu \u00eendr\u0103zne\u015fte nici s\u0103 deschid\u0103, nici s-o trag\u0103 \u00eenapoi, ars\u0103 de ger.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pielea degetelor i se prinse de clan\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O n\u0103luc\u0103, mam\u0103, a sf\u00e2ntului Niculae m-a f\u0103cut s\u0103 alerg, s\u0103 caz, \u0163iindu-m\u0103 \u00eentruna dup\u0103 acel mo\u015f cu barba alb\u0103, \u00een sfintele od\u0103jdii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2na, cu frica Domnului \u00een s\u00e2n, crezu. S\u0103 sperie v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-\u015fi fata s\u00e2ngerat\u0103. \u00cei leg\u0103 m\u00e2na \u00een c\u00e2rpe curate. Nu \u015ftia ce s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 ca s-o opreasc\u0103 din pl\u00e2ns.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0At\u00e2t odor mai are Stanca. At\u00e2ta n\u0103dejde. \u00cen fa\u0163a ei vede pe Kivu, vede bel\u015fugul d-odinioar\u0103, zilele senine \u015fi nop\u0163ile petrecute pe prisp\u0103 afar\u0103. \u00cen fa\u0163a ei vede c\u0103minu-i cum era c\u00e2nd era. O durere d-a Sult\u0103nichii \u00eei curm\u0103 via\u0163a ce abia se mai \u0163ine \u00eentr-o a\u0163\u0103. Un dar, o \u00eenduio\u015fare, c\u00e2nd se zugr\u0103ve\u015fte \u00een chipul fetei, face pe b\u0103tr\u00e2na, de\u015fi ve\u015ftejit\u0103 \u015fi uscat\u0103 ca o frunz\u0103 de brumar, s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eenvieze \u00een ad\u00e2ncul ei ceea ce a sim\u0163it c\u00e2nd a dat ochii cu Kivu pentru \u00eent\u00e2ia\u015fi dat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D-ar fi dup\u0103 g\u00e2ndul ei, Sult\u0103nica, “pl\u0103p\u00e2nd\u0103 \u015fi frumoas\u0103 ca o cocoan\u0103”, ar trebui s\u0103 fie \u015fi mai \u015fi dec\u00e2t nevasta arenda\u015fului. I-ar da cale\u015fti cu telegari, po\u015ftalioane cu opt cai bidivii \u015fi c\u00e2te-n lun\u0103 \u015fi-n soare. Da\u2019 s-ar robi turcilor, numai s-o \u015ftie bine. \u015ei c\u00e2nd s\u0103 g\u00e2nde\u015fte c\u0103 nu poate nici pe sfert de sfert din ce ar dori, \u00eei vine s\u0103 se dea cu capul de pere\u0163i, s\u0103 intre \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt de vie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Odorul mamei, odorul mamei! \u00eeng\u00e2n\u0103 mama Stanca, leg\u0103n\u00e2nd capul fetii pe pieptul ei m\u0103luros \u015fi mort.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica sughi\u0163\u0103. Pe umerii obrajilor \u00eei joac\u0103 \u015fi se schimb\u0103 dou\u0103 pete ca ni\u015fte nisfele de rumeneal\u0103. Privirile-i ascu\u0163ite, sc\u0103pate din umezeala ochilor, trec prin geamuri \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eeneac\u0103 \u00een zarea zilei. Gura-i pare mai mare ca de obicei, mai r\u0103sfr\u00e2nt\u0103. Buzele, aprinse, le simte calde de s\u0103rut\u0103ri. Sf\u00e2rcurile urechilor \u00eei ard. P\u0103rul e mototolit supt marama ce cade pe spate. Rochia, sucit\u0103 pe trup. N\u0103ji\u0163ele opincilor, dezlegate. Se pip\u0103ie. \u00ce\u015fi \u00eencheie c\u0103ma\u015fa la g\u00e2t. Clipe\u015fte zorit. \u015e-ascunde ochii \u00een um\u0103rul osos al mamei Stanchii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 ar putea s\u0103 se arunce la picioarele m\u0103-sei! S\u0103-i s\u0103rute t\u0103lpile \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103rturiseasc\u0103 tot\u2026! Dac\u0103 s-ar arunca \u00een r\u00e2u\u2026? Dac-ar lua lumea \u00een cap \u015fi \u015f-ar pierde de urm\u0103\u2026?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Odorul mamei, odorul mamei! \u00eeng\u00e2n\u0103 mama Stanca, leg\u0103n\u00e2nd capul fetei pe pieptul ei m\u0103luros \u015fi mort.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe Sult\u0103nica o t\u0103ie aceast\u0103 m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere curat\u0103. S\u0103ri din bra\u0163ele m\u0103-sei \u015fi s-arunc\u0103 \u00een pat, cu fa\u0163a \u00eentr-o pern\u0103, cuprins\u0103 d-o jale cu lacr\u0103mi cari ard pe unde pic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0X<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dr\u0103gan C\u0103prarul c\u00e2\u015ftigase r\u0103m\u0103\u015fagul cu Ion al Ciau\u015fului c\u0103 va veni de hac Sult\u0103nichii. Un junc mai mult \u015fi fala fl\u0103c\u0103ilor. Cum o s\u0103-\u015fi r\u0103suceasc\u0103 musta\u0163a de grozav printre tineret! O s\u0103 calce din pod. C\u00e2t\u0103-i curtea hanului de mare, ca p-o beizadea n-o s\u0103-l mai \u00eencap\u0103 locul! Leicu\u0163ei i-a f\u0103cut r\u0103va\u015f de drum. B\u0103rba\u0163i sunt \u015fi pentru cele s\u0103race. Fiecare cu norocul ei. Dac\u0103 i-a pl\u0103cut, a vrut. \u015ei ce, nu e tot ea? Multe a v\u0103zut, multe a prefirat el prin \u0103l Bucure\u015fti! Doar\u0103 n-a t\u0103iat c\u00e2inilor frunz\u0103! Sporov\u0103ia, la cazarm\u0103, Nego\u0163oi, vistavoiul, \u015fi de cocoana d-lui maior. C\u0103 n-o s\u0103 caz\u0103 el, C\u0103prarul, \u00een patarama d-lui sublocotenent. Doamne, ce b\u0103taie i-a tras \u0163iitoarea! A doua zi, la “revizie”, era cu ochii ca fundul c\u0103ld\u0103rii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Olio-lio! greu i-a fost lui s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce-a f\u0103cut, c\u0103 d-aci \u00eencolo merge g\u0103itan. Pentru o cotoroan\u0163\u0103 \u015f-o pitpalac\u0103, un pumn, \u015fi le-a luat mirul!\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0XI<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mitrana T\u0103lug\u0103 a \u0162u\u0163uenilor are \u015fez\u0103toare, nu glum\u0103! Dou\u0103 lum\u00e2n\u0103ri de seu ard p-o mas\u0103 rotund\u0103 cu trei picioare. Nu e nici un fl\u0103c\u0103u. Altfel, nu e chip s\u0103 ai la \u015fez\u0103toare nici pe fata popii, nici pe fata primarului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fitece nevast\u0103 tineric\u0103, fitece fat\u0103 mare \u015f-au f\u0103cut poala mald\u0103r de fuioare. Da\u2019 mai \u00eencurc\u0103 lumea c\u00e2teva feti\u015fcane ce nu s-au prins \u00een hor\u0103 \u015fi li se scurg ochii s\u0103 fie \u015fi ele printre cele mari.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fusele zb\u00e2rn\u0103ie alene \u00eentr-un r\u00e2s cu hohote. Un pisoi, cu cercei ro\u015fii, cu ochii ca dou\u0103 sc\u00e2ntei, sare de la un fus la altul \u015fi parc\u0103 le c\u00e2nt\u0103re\u015fte \u00een labele lui neast\u00e2mp\u0103rate. Doi copila\u015fi, cu chica ciuf, a\u015fteapt\u0103 s\u0103 scoat\u0103 daica Mitrana cartofii din spuz\u0103 \u015fi dovleacul din c\u0103ldare. \u015ei s\u0103 tot \u015fterg la nas c\u00e2nd le vin aburi dulci cu miros de godin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa, soro, zise Ciau\u015fanca, a \u00eenceput s\u0103 c\u00e2rc\u00e2ie fata Kivului. Vezi unde au dus-o g\u00e2ndurile, c-o s-o ia Dr\u0103gan\u2026 E \u00eempeli\u0163at C\u0103prarul, nu-i dai de fund. Cu r\u0103m\u0103\u015fagul i-a p\u0103pat neichii juncul cel mai gras.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103 colo, strig\u0103 Mitrana, de umplu casa, fitece pas\u0103re m\u0103iastr\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi g\u0103se\u015fte v\u00e2n\u0103torul. M\u0103car de \u015f-ar cl\u0103di cuibul \u00een clopotni\u0163\u0103 ori sub strea\u015fina prim\u0103riei, tot o s\u0103 c\u00e2nte, c\u0103 nu se poate:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar un ho\u0163 de v\u00e2n\u0103tor<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Smulse trei fire de p\u0103r,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Le f\u0103cu un l\u0103\u0163i\u015for<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mi-l puse de picior.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De, dad\u0103 Mitran\u0103, gr\u0103i Marica, fata primarului, d\u00e2nd ghies fetei popii, cic\u0103 \u015fi v\u00e2n\u0103torul \u00eei zice m\u0103iestrei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nt\u0103-\u0163i, puic\u0103, c\u00e2ntecul<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103 mi-e drag ca sufletul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toat\u0103 pas\u0103rea pe glasul ei piere. D-ta spui una, eu alta, cum o taie capul pe fiecare\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Marica e un boboc de fat\u0103. Cam pu\u0163intic\u0103, dar ce s\u0103-i faci, c\u00e2nd omul e nurliu, duce ziua dup\u0103 el. Marica, de r\u00e2de, \u0163i-arat\u0103 dou\u0103 \u015firule\u0163e de m\u0103rg\u0103ritar. E prelung\u0103 la chip, codalb\u0103, cu ochii viorii, \u015fi s\u0103 strecoar\u0103 printre surate ca un prichindel. \u015ei gluma cu glum\u0103 bate \u015fi spune basmele \u015fi snoavele b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u015fti cu at\u00e2ta limbu\u0163ie, c\u0103 parc-ar citi pe slove.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mitrana sim\u0163i cuvintele Marichii ca \u015fi cum o piersicase cu urzici. Tu\u015fi, c\u00e2nt\u0103 ceva pe nas, apoi se duse s\u0103 ia aminte de mezelic, cum se cuvenea dup\u0103 bunele datini.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Safta lui nea Ghi\u0163\u0103 aduse iar vorba:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103 se duc\u0103 vestea ca de pop\u0103 tuns. Ce mai cinste \u015fi pe Sult\u0103nica! Obraz smerit, suflet ascuns\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu sf\u00e2r\u015fi cuv\u00e2ntul, \u015fi Catrina P\u00e2rvuleasa \u015fopti la urechea Mirei, mai la o parte de celelalte:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uite, soro, ce \u0163i-e omul! Auzi colo la Safta\u2026 \u015ei ea are un copil ce face m\u0103ricel. \u0102st copil l-a n\u0103scut patru luni \u00een urma m\u0103riti\u015fului cu nea Ghi\u0163\u0103. \u00cen cur\u00e2nd o s\u0103 aib\u0103 doi, \u015fi, de, se cam zic multe\u2026 Altfel, nea Ghi\u0163\u0103 e omul lui Dumnezeu, ce-are el cu gura lumii?\u2026 P\u00e2n\u0103 nu vede, nu crede\u2026 dac\u0103 o crede \u015f-atunci\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei eu, lele Saft\u0103, gr\u0103i Ilinca Ciupita, \u015fi eu dam cu g\u00e2ndul c\u0103 Sult\u0103nica n-o s\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103 cu bine. Acum s\u0103-\u015fi mute g\u00e2ndul la mo\u015fii \u0103i verzi, c\u0103 nimeni n-o s-o ridice din gunoi. Mai bine s\u0103-\u015fi lege o piatr\u0103 de moar\u0103 de g\u00e2t \u015fi s\u0103 s-arunce \u00een r\u00e2u dec\u00e2t s\u0103-\u015fi t\u00e2rasc\u0103 zilele \u00eenc\u0103rcate de a\u015fa p\u0103cat\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu spui eu, Mir\u0103, \u015fopti iar P\u00e2rvuleasa, pe c\u00e2nd celelalte dau prin ciur \u015fi prin d\u00e2rmon pe Sult\u0103nica, nu-\u0163i spui eu c\u0103 naiba c\u00e2nd n-are de ce r\u00e2de face pe ho\u0163 judec\u0103tor\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai gur\u0103 de aur, surat\u0103 Catrin\u0103, r\u0103spunse \u00eencet Mira. Auzi d-ta cum sporov\u0103ie\u015fte Ilinca Ciupita, \u015fi ea a \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nit fat\u0103 mare. Se d\u0103 ea pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 mul\u0163i, \u015fi mul\u0163i se dau pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea, c-ar avea bune p\u0103r\u0103lu\u0163e. Da\u2019 ce face, ce drege, c\u0103 n-are lipici. C\u00e2nd merge, s\u0103 zici curat c-ar fi un butuc cu picioare. \u00cencai c\u00e2nd r\u00e2de, sparge \u0163iple.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 au \u00eenceput, at\u00e2t le-au fost mult, c-apoi c\u0103deau claie peste gr\u0103mad\u0103, ponoase, c\u00e2rtiri, zavistii, \u00eenv\u0103lm\u0103\u015fite \u00eentr-un hohot gras \u015fi spart.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103-i semene C\u0103prarului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-o fi fat\u0103, s-alerge d-a-nc\u00e2telea pe la soare-r\u0103sare p\u00e2n-o vedea pe dracu la soare-apune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103 zestre d\u0103ruie\u015fte sf\u00e2ntul Niculae!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Zestre cu m\u00e2ni \u015fi cu picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei, guri rele, \u015fi voi a\u0163i ame\u0163it \u00een bra\u0163ele fl\u0103c\u0103ilor! Zice\u0163i mai bine Doamne fere\u015fte\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103 v\u0103 plac\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 nu ca Sult\u0103nichii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru c\u0103 inima cere, nu-\u015fi pune fata poalele \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vijelia le ridic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se \u00eengroa\u015fe gluma\u2026 dac\u0103 nu \u0163i le ridici singuric\u0103, fetica mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u0163ipete, \u015fi r\u00e2s, \u015fi fr\u0103m\u00e2ntare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fusele dormea somnul m\u0103tu\u015fii. Fetele fierbeau de un neast\u00e2mp\u0103r cald \u015fi puternic. Sudoarea curgea \u00een c\u00e2r\u00e2ie pe obrajii lor gra\u015fi \u015fi aprin\u015fi. Unele-\u015fi sumeser\u0103 m\u00e2necile chen\u0103ruite \u00een stacojiu \u015fi azv\u00e2rlir\u0103 coadele pe spetele largi. Altele-\u015fi desf\u0103cur\u0103 s\u00e2nul pietros, care \u0163ipa sub c\u0103m\u0103\u015file \u00eentinse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Soba dogorea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feti\u015fcanele jinduiau farmecul fetelor mari. Nu \u00eendr\u0103zneau, cu tot z\u0103duful, s\u0103 s-arate \u00een bun\u0103 voie: abia aveau ca dou\u0103 mere cre\u0163e\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zbenguiala ridica casa-n sus, iar Mitrana, ro\u015fie ca coaja de rac, sosi cu dovleacul \u00eentr-o tav\u0103, spart \u00een buc\u0103\u0163i mari \u015fi galbene. Aburii, gro\u015fi \u015fi dulcegi, se \u00eencol\u0103cea din tav\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la grinzi. Lelea Safta, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-i gura ap\u0103, arunc\u0103 marama pe spate \u015fi, de veselie, \u00eencepu s\u0103 c\u00e2nte c-un glas prelung:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentr-un m\u0103r de fat\u0103 mare<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Naiba alearg\u0103 c\u0103lare,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pentr-o mur\u0103 \u015f-o r\u0103sur\u0103<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De trei ori s\u0103 \u015fterg la gur\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei r\u0103ze\u015fi cu r\u0103ze\u015fie,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ciocoi cu c\u0103ft\u0103nie\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0XII<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica nu mai b\u0103ga nimic \u00een gur\u0103. Se topea pe picioare. \u00ceng\u0103lbenise, se uscase ca iasca \u015fi-i scoteai vorba cu cle\u015ftele. Ochii ei, dr\u0103g\u0103la\u015fi odinioar\u0103, \u00een fiece diminea\u0163\u0103 erau ro\u015fii. Noaptea, cum sim\u0163ea pe mama Stanca \u00een\u015felat\u0103 de somn, pl\u00e2ngea n\u0103bu\u015fit p\u00e2n\u0103 ce pleoapele \u00eei zg\u00e2riau luminile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unde o apuca g\u00e2ndurile, acolo r\u0103m\u00e2nea, f\u0103r\u0103 a clipi, cu m\u00e2inile \u00een\u0163epenite ca ni\u015fte be\u0163e. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce se \u00eentunec\u0103, pe buzele ei, cr\u0103pate \u015fi acoperite cu pieli\u0163e p\u00e2rlite, trecea c\u00e2te un sur\u00e2s trist \u015fi plin de am\u0103r\u0103ciune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu mai \u015ftia de lume, nici de rug\u0103ciunea obi\u015fnuit\u0103. S\u0103 mi\u015fca ca o v\u00e2rtelni\u0163\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vrea. C\u00e2nd umbla, aluneca u\u015for, ca umbra ce \u00eenso\u0163e\u015fte pa\u015fii omului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa se v\u0103d, \u00een codrii mu\u015fcelelor, mesteceni b\u0103lai, cu frunzi\u015ful m\u0103runt prin care tremur\u0103 cerul vioriu, \u015fi deodat\u0103, ca ar\u015fi de var la r\u0103d\u0103cin\u0103, se scutur\u0103 de frunz\u0103, se cojesc de teaca lustruit\u0103, se-ncovoie, se usuc\u0103 \u015fi pier pe nesim\u0163ite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica, de n-ar pept\u0103na-o m\u0103-sa, nu s-ar mai piept\u0103na. \u015ei c\u00e2nd mama Stanca \u00eei desf\u0103\u015fur\u0103 valurile de p\u0103r, negru \u015fi des, pieptenele \u00eei scap\u0103 din m\u00e2n\u0103 ca la o ciolac\u0103, g\u00e2tul nu-i mai \u0163ine capul f\u0103r\u0103 pic de carne \u015fi, cu un glas ce abia se aude, \u00eei zice: “Spune maichii focul t\u0103u”\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce nu f\u0103cuse b\u0103tr\u00e2na?\u2026 Colindase, pe furi\u015f, prin satele dimprejur dup\u0103 me\u015ftere \u015fi c\u0103rtur\u0103rese. Unei \u0163ig\u0103nci dase tr\u00e2mb\u0103 de nou\u0103 c\u0103me\u015fi ghicirea sor\u0163ii pe stele, pe bobi \u015fi pe furtuni\u2026 Dar nici leturghiile, nici desc\u00e2ntecele, nici vr\u0103jile nu-i sc\u0103pa copila de ve\u015ftejire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din zvon aflase c\u0103 ai sc\u0103pa ce \u0163i-e drag dac\u0103 te-ai da \u00een munca Ielelor. Nu c-a crezut, dar a \u00eencercat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o noapte de mar\u0163i, z\u0103rind un cearc\u0103n \u00een jurul lunii, s-a strecurat ca o n\u0103luc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la biseric\u0103. Apoi s-a \u00eentors sub strea\u015fina casei. \u015ei \u015f-a pres\u0103rat \u00een cre\u015ftet p\u0103m\u00e2nt din trei morminte. A ad\u0103stat toat\u0103 noaptea, dar Ielele n-au venit. \u00cen alt\u0103 zi a \u00een\u015firat toate rug\u0103ciunile, de la mo\u015fi, de la str\u0103mo\u015fi, p\u00e2n\u0103 a c\u0103zut jos de ame\u0163eal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecu Na\u015fterea Domnului cu s\u0103rb\u0103torile mari, trecu c\u00e2\u015flegiul \u015fi cei patruzeci \u015fi patru de mucenici. Vremea d\u0103du \u00een cald. Prim\u0103vara mugur\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencol\u0163i podoaba plaiului. \u015ei nici-o \u00eembunare l-alde mama Stanca.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen diminea\u0163a Floriilor, b\u0103tr\u00e2na plec\u0103 la biseric\u0103, m\u00e2nat\u0103 spre loca\u015ful m\u00e2ntuirii d-o f\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103 de n\u0103dejde. Se dete cu inima toat\u0103 c\u00e2nt\u0103rilor \u015fi evangheliei. La ie\u015fire, c\u00e2teva muieri din sat f\u0103cur\u0103 roat\u0103 \u00een jurul ei \u015fi \u00eencepu vorba despre cele spuse \u00een Duminica Floriilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Soarele \u015fi un v\u00e2ntule\u0163 zbiceau v\u0103ile. Copii descul\u0163i goneau veseli, \u00eencin\u015fi cu ramuri de salcie slujit\u0103 de mo\u015f popa. B\u0103tr\u00e2nele, p\u0103\u015fia-p\u0103\u015fia, \u0163ineau drumul casei, mestec\u00e2nd anafura sfin\u0163it\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Via\u0163a se de\u015ftepta. Mugurii cr\u0103pau. Vr\u0103biile, stoluri pe moliftul din fa\u0163a bisericii, ciripeau cearta lor obi\u015fnuit\u0103. \u015ei zori\u0163i la trai de aerul c\u0103ldicel, coco\u015fii s-auzeau c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd s\u0103-\u015fi rup\u0103 beregata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mu\u015fcelele, acoperite d-o pojghi\u0163\u0103 verzurie, abureau un fum ce s\u0103-n\u0103l\u0163a alene, cl\u0103tinat de adiere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Jup\u00e2neas\u0103 Stanca, gr\u0103i T\u0103lugianca a mare \u2013 ner\u0103bd\u0103toare d-a sf\u00e2r\u015fi cu cele sfinte \u2013 se vorbe\u015fte p\u00e2n sat c\u0103 Sult\u0103nica merge r\u0103u cu s\u0103n\u0103tatea. Bat-o norocul de fat\u0103, prea e inimoas\u0103! Iac\u0103, n-are cuv\u00e2nt s\u0103 se pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103. E t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103, cur\u0103\u0163ic\u0103, harnic\u0103, ce mai vrea? Pentr-o dragoste nu-\u015fi r\u0103pune cineva capul. Ce s\u0103-i mai faci? C\u0103 d-ta \u015ftii, nu e ea pentru \u00eent\u00e2ia oar\u0103. S-a \u00eencrezut pe m\u00e2n\u0103 rea, da\u2019 \u015fi lui Dr\u0103gan n-o s\u0103-i mearg\u0103 strun\u0103. Azi p\u00e2ng\u0103re\u015fte pe una, m\u00e2ne pe alta, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015f-o g\u0103si st\u0103p\u00e2nul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca, apucat\u0103 ca de alte alea, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 deschid\u0103 gura, o rupse la picior, arunc\u00e2nd mirul sf\u00e2nt \u00een noroi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pref\u0103c\u0103torii de vulpe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, \u00eeng\u00e2n\u0103 Voiculeasa, plec\u0103 ca o vijelie, parc\u0103 n-ar fi \u015ftiut de patarama Sult\u0103nichii. \u0162and\u0103ra nu sare departe de bu\u015ftean. A\u015fa a \u00eencurcat \u015fi ea \u00een tinere\u0163e pe Kivu, numai c\u0103 fetei nu i-a fost d-a bun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama Stanca intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103, tr\u00e2ntind u\u015fa de perete. Chipul ei era ca mustul de bozii. Auzul \u00eei v\u00e2j\u00e2ia ca scocul morei. La \u00eencheietura f\u0103lcilor sim\u0163ea dou\u0103 ghiulele de plumb. Capul \u00eei era greu. Picioarele-i \u00eenghe\u0163aser\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la glezne\u2026 \u015ei, \u00eenv\u00e2rtind ochii \u00een cap, arunc\u0103 un fulger de privire asupra Sult\u0103nichii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai pierdut tot\u2026 ai pierdut cinstea casei! At\u00e2t ne mai r\u0103m\u0103sese! strig\u0103 Kivuleasa, \u015fi c\u0103zu mototol la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, bolborosind \u015fi zv\u00e2cnind din picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica \u00eencepu s\u0103 \u0163ipe. Se plec\u0103 asupra m\u0103-sei, ce \u00een de\u015fert se-ncerca a mai vorbi. B\u0103tr\u00e2na o apuc\u0103 de g\u00e2t. “Tot\u2026 tot\u2026 tot!” mai izbuti s\u0103 zic\u0103\u2026 \u015f-o s\u0103rut\u0103 cu focul cel din urm\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Satul \u00eentreg \u00eei trecea pe dinaintea ochilor ei orbi \u015f-o ar\u0103ta cu degetul. \u00cen urechile-i surde auzi strig\u00e2ndu-i: “Unde \u0163i-e fala?\u2026 Credeai c-o s\u0103 \u0163ie c\u00e2t lumea bel\u015fugul f\u0103r\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i?\u2026 N-a fost curat\u0103 starea d-odinioar\u0103\u2026 S\u0103r\u0103cia te-a pedepsit o jum\u0103tate de via\u0163\u0103 \u015fi necinstea te cotrope\u015fte la moarte.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0XIII<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La trei duminici dup\u0103 S\u00e2n-Petru, soarele poleia lumea \u00een aur cald \u015fi tremur\u0103tor. Z\u0103pu\u015feala, \u00een loc d-a da lenei vie\u0163uitoarele, le zorea, le fierbea \u00eentr-o mi\u015fcare vesel\u0103 de s\u0103rb\u0103toare. Bel\u015fugul \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftia cheful pretutindenea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porumbi\u015ftile prim\u0103v\u0103ratice erau o podoab\u0103. Iarba se strecura \u015fi pe potecile b\u0103t\u0103torite. Ogr\u0103zile de pruni \u015fi mere se \u00eendoiau sub greutatea pometului. Vrejurile de dovleci se \u00eencol\u0103ciser\u0103 unu peste altul, acoperind gardurile cu foi \u0163epoase \u015fi mai late ca foile de lipan. Era un an c\u00e2t cinci. S\u0103turase orice r\u00e2vn\u0103. C\u0103 din vreme veche nu se pomenise at\u00e2ta prisos de bucate. Ai fi zis c\u0103 fitece bob se \u00eensutise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen fa\u0163a Hanului Ro\u015fu se \u00eencinsese o hor\u0103 stra\u015fnic\u0103, de s\u0103reau sc\u00e2ntei de supt c\u0103lc\u00e2ie. \u00cen v\u00e2rtejul jocului, salbele de galbeni \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti \u015fi icosari turce\u015fti zorn\u0103iau la g\u00e2tul celor avute. V\u00e2lnecele, cu fluturi sclipitori, zburau c\u00e2nd la dreapta, c\u00e2nd la st\u00e2nga. Suratele, \u00eempodobite cu flori-domne\u015fti, r\u00e2deau izbind p\u0103m\u00e2ntul dup\u0103 hih\u0103itul fl\u0103c\u0103ilor pleto\u015fi, rumeni de z\u0103duf \u015fi de s\u00e2nurile durdulii. Se ml\u0103diau rotund trupurile, d\u00e2rd\u00e2ind pe picioarele lor sprintene, parc\u0103 naiba g\u00e2dila ast\u0103 tinerime plin\u0103 de foc, \u015f-o arunca \u00een sus ca p-o minge.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei \u0163igani \u2013 dou\u0103 cobze \u015f-o l\u0103ut\u0103 \u2013 tr\u0103geau “m\u0103run\u0163ica craiului”, \u00een\u015fir\u00e2nd, din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, chiote \u00eentocmite din senin. L\u0103utarul se pr\u0103p\u0103dea cu firea, tr\u00e2ntind capul \u015fi p-un um\u0103r, \u015fi pe cellalt, mai ales c\u00e2nd z\u0103rea ulcica, plin\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-n buze cu vin ro\u015fu, sub\u0163ire \u015fi \u00eenspumat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fruntea horii era Dr\u0103gan C\u0103prarul. Cu mijlocul \u00eencol\u0103cit \u00een bete, c-un mald\u0103r de ciucuri pe \u015foldul drept, cu p\u0103l\u0103ria pe ceaf\u0103, \u015f-ascundea m\u00e2ndria sub ni\u015fte sprincene \u00eembinate. Se sim\u0163ea \u00een lauda lumii. Se r\u0103sf\u0103\u0163a \u00een at\u00e2tea priviri dr\u0103g\u0103stoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Femeile \u00een v\u00e2rst\u0103 nu se mai s\u0103turau privindu-\u015fi m\u00e2ndre\u0163ile, \u00eendrug\u00e2nd mai una, mai alta, s\u0103 le treac\u0103 vremea, lipite p\u0103m\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai biata Stanca se stinse a\u015fa cum cu g\u00e2ndul n-ai fi g\u00e2ndit\u2026 \u015fopti mor\u0103reasa. Odinioar\u0103, c\u00e2nd sosea \u00een toiul horei, amu\u0163ea zarva\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne fere\u015fte, gr\u0103i moa\u015fa Safta, cu Sult\u0103nica l\u0103sat\u0103 pe drumuri, n-a avut parte nici de parastasul de trei zile\u2026 \u015ei pe deasupra mai va parastase la nou\u0103 zile, la trei \u015fi \u015fase s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni; la trei, la \u015fase, la nou\u0103 luni; la anu, la anu \u015fi jum\u0103tate, la doi ani, apoi la doi ani \u015fi patru luni. Cine s\u0103 i le fac\u0103? Astea-s capetele cre\u015ftine\u015fti pentru m\u00e2ntuirea sufletului. \u015ei cine poate, la \u015fapte ani, scoate oasele din s\u00e2nul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului pentru sf\u00e2nta molift\u0103. Dup\u0103 \u015fapte ani omul e curat, c\u0103 e \u0163\u0103r\u00e2n\u0103. \u015ei \u0163\u0103r\u00e2na cu oasele binecuv\u00e2ntate s\u0103 vor \u00eentrupa \u00een ziua d-apoi, mai curate ca lacrima, \u00een fa\u0163a tronului de lumin\u0103 ve\u015fnic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103 la Dr\u0103gan, zise mor\u0103reasa, ce pro\u0163\u0103pit e! Da, \u015fi joac\u0103, bat\u0103-l pustia, parc-ar trage tighel! O s\u0103 ne nunteasc\u0103 satul cu fata primarului. Da\u2019 nu ca z\u0103rp\u0103latecul de fi-meu: \u00een loc s\u0103 puie \u015fi el ochii pe vruna, d-o vreme \u00eencoace umbl\u0103 craun. S\u0103rb\u0103torile, c\u00e2nd \u00eel cau\u0163i, cu h\u00e2rzobul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103. Pe cine i-o fi c\u0103\u015funat nu \u015ftiu, c\u0103 nu spune s\u0103-l tai\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103, cuscr\u0103, gr\u0103i Dumitra, femeie de cinci copii, cu ochii c\u0103prui, ce-i juca la fitece cuv\u00e2nt. \u0102sta s\u0103-\u0163i fie necazul \u0103l mare, c\u0103 n-ai mai vedea fir alb\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Br\u00e2ul r\u0103p\u0103ia pe-ntrecute, c\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103ii ceruser\u0103 ceva b\u0103rb\u0103tesc. Pu\u0163ine fete-l \u00eenv\u00e2rteau, da-l \u00eenv\u00e2rteau s\u0103 se duc\u0103 pomina.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0XIV<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe pieptul mu\u015fcelului dintre Domne\u015fti \u015fi Berivoe\u015fti, Sult\u0103nica suia, m\u00e2n\u00e2nd o vac\u0103 b\u0103laie c-un vi\u0163el, ce s\u0103 da pe furi\u015f la uger \u015fi sc\u0103pa, \u00een mers, \u0163\u00e2\u0163a rumen\u0103 \u015fi asudat\u0103 de lapte. Miercana mugea, \u00eentorc\u00e2nd capul cu ni\u015fte ochi negri, bl\u00e2nzi \u015fi geno\u015fi. B\u0103tr\u00e2nul L\u0103bu\u015f \u00ee\u015fi urma st\u0103p\u00e2na cu credin\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica, afundat\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la br\u00e2u \u00een f\u00e2nea\u0163\u0103, mergea privind neclintit \u00een dep\u0103rtare. Slab\u0103, galben\u0103, cu pielea de pe fa\u0163\u0103 a\u015fa de sub\u0163ire c\u0103-i num\u0103rai vinele alb\u0103strui urzite \u00een curmezi\u015ful t\u00e2mplelor. Ochii ei, mari din fire, p\u0103reau mai prelungi dec\u00e2t sprincenele, \u015fi nu spuneau nici dragoste, nici ur\u0103, uit\u00e2ndu-se, f\u0103r\u0103 pic de credin\u0163\u0103, la cerul \u00eentins ca un z\u0103branic nep\u0103s\u0103tor \u015fi vioriu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103r\u0103sind vatra p\u0103rinteasc\u0103, pustie de farmecele de odinioar\u0103, tot i s\u0103 \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fa ca o minciun\u0103 de\u015fart\u0103. Luase lumea \u00een cap, c\u0103ut\u00e2nd drumul muntelui Pop\u0103u, unde tat\u0103l s\u0103u \u00ee\u015fi \u0163inuse la p\u0103\u015fune turmele de oi \u015fi cirezile de vite mari.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Voia s\u0103-\u015fi piard\u0103 urma \u015fi s\u0103-\u015fi adoarm\u0103 inima ostenit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u00e2nul, de leandr\u0103, de m\u0103rg\u0103rint\u0103, de trifoi cu vl\u0103stare \u00eenvoalte, de m\u0103z\u0103riche v\u00e2rtojit\u0103, s\u0103 mi\u015fca \u00een valuri u\u015foare, ca o p\u00e2nz\u0103 \u00eembrebenat\u0103 cu flori. Sc\u00e2nteioarele se ridicau cu v\u00e2rful ro\u015fu. Dr\u0103gaica stufoas\u0103 r\u0103sp\u00e2ndea, pripit\u0103 de soare, un miros ca floarea de tei. Lum\u00e2n\u0103relele, drepte \u015fi b\u0103\u0163oase, \u00eentreceau f\u00e2nul \u015fi stau de streaj\u0103, din pas \u00een pas, cu flori galbene \u015fi b\u0103tute p-acela\u015fi picior.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arii de fe\u0163e s\u0103 \u00eempreunau \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eentinderea plaiului, desf\u0103\u015furat \u00een colnice \u015fi v\u0103i, \u00eenchis, \u00een dep\u0103rtare, de \u00een\u0103l\u0163imi \u00eencovoiate ca ni\u015fte br\u00e2ie verzi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste toat\u0103 aceast\u0103 m\u00e2ndre\u0163e plutea c\u00e2te un vultur, alunec\u00e2nd \u00een largi rotocoale pe aripile \u00eentinse ale c\u0103ror sf\u00e2rcuri abia se mi\u015fcau din vreme \u00een vreme.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sult\u0103nica ajunse \u00een v\u00e2rful mu\u015fcelului\u2026 Privi lung la turla bisericii din sat\u2026 \u015ei pieri la vale, \u00eenecat\u0103 \u00een f\u00e2nea\u0163a ce cobora\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Miercana mugi, \u015fi mugetul ei se pierdu, ca un glas de jale, \u00een ad\u00e2ncimea v\u0103ilor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D-a st\u00e2nga R\u00e2ului Doamnei, razna de satul Domne\u015fti, se vede o cas\u0103, alb\u0103 ca laptele, cu ferestrele \u00eencondeiate cu ro\u015fu \u015fi albastru. Pervazurile u\u015fii \u2013 curate ca un pahar; … <\/p>\n