Сто лет одиночества

           HeboughtthemsomefurnitureandgavethemsomemoneyuntilJoséArcadiorecoveredhissenseofrealityandbegantoworkthenoman’s-landthatbor-deredthecourtyardofthehouse.Amaranta,ontheotherhand,neverdidovercomeherrancoragainstRebeca,eventhoughlifeofferedherasatisfactionofwhichshehadnotdreamed:attheinitiativeofúrsula,whodidnotknowhowtorepairtheshame,PietroCrespicontinuedhavinglunchatthehouseonTuesdays,risingabovehisdefeatwithaserenedignity.Hestillworetheblackribbononhishatasasignofrespectforthefamily,andhetookpleasureinshowinghisaffectionforúrsulabybringingherexoticgifts:Portuguesesardines,Turkishrosemarmalade,andononeoccasionalovelyManilashawl.Amarantalookedafterhimwithalovingdiligence.Sheanticipatedhiswants,pulledoutthethreadsonthecuffsofhisshirt,andembroideredadozenhandkerchiefswithhisinitialsforhisbirthday.OnTuesdays,afterlunch,whileshewouldembroiderontheporch,hewouldkeepherhappycompany.ForPietroCrespi,thatwomanwhomhealwayshadconsideredandtreatedasachildwasarevelation.Althoughhertemperamentlackedgrace,shehadararesensibilityforappreciatingthethingsoftheworldhadasecrettenderness.OneTuesday,whennoonedoubtedthatsoonerorlaterithadtohappen,PietroCrespiaskedhertomarryhim.Shedidnotstopherwork.Shewaitedforthehotblushtoleaveherearsandgavehervoiceaserenestressofmaturity.

           "Ofcourse,Crespi,"shesaid.