Сто лет одиночества

           Withthesecretandimplacablelaborofasmallantshepredisposedthewomenofthevillageagainsttheflightinessoftheirhusbands,whowerealreadypreparingforthemove.JoseArcadioBuendfadidnotknowatwhatmomentorbecauseofwhatadverseforceshisplanhadbecomeenvelopedinawebofpretexts,disappointments,andevasionsuntilitturnedintonothingbutanillusion.Orsulawatchedhimwithinnocentattentionandevenfeltsomepityforhimonthemorningwhenshefoundhiminthebackroommutteringabouthisplansformovingasheplacedhislaboratorypiecesintheiroriginalboxes.Shelethimfinish.Shelethimnailuptheboxesandputhisinitialsonthemwithaninkedbrush,withoutreproachinghim,butknowingnowthatheknew(becauseshehadheardhimsaysoinhissoftmonologues)thatthemenofthevillagewouldnotbackhimupinhisundertaking.OnlywhenhebegantotakedownthedooroftheroomdidOrsuladareaskhimwhathewasdoing,andheansweredwithacertainbitterness."Sincenoonewantstoleave,we’llleaveallbyourselves."Orsuladidnotbecomeupset.

           "Wewillnotleave,"shesaid."Wewillstayhere,becausewehavehadasonhere."

           "Wehavestillnothadadeath,"hesaid."Apersondoesnotbelongtoaplaceuntilthereissomeonedeadundertheground."Orsularepliedwithasoftfirmness:

           "IfIhavetodiefortherestofyoutostayhere,Iwilldie."JoseArcadioBuendfahadnotthoughtthathiswife’swillwassofirm.Hetriedtoseduceherwiththecharmofhisfantasy,withthepromiseofaprodigiousworldwhereallonehadtodowassprinklesomemagicliquidonthegroundandtheplantswouldbearfruitwheneveramanwished,andwhereallmannerofinstrumentsagainstpainweresoldatbargainprices.