1 Ale3andros Papadiamanths HFonissa A' Misoplagiasmenh konta eis thn estian, me sfalista ta ommata, thn kefalhn akoumvwsa eis

to kraspedon ths estias, to legomenon fougopodaro, h theia-Hadoula, h koinws Giannou h Fragkissa, den ekoimato, all' ethusiaze ton upno plhsion eis to liknon ths asthenoushs mikras eggonhs ths. Oson dia thn lehw, thn mhtera tou pashontos vrefous, auth pro oligou eihen apokoimhthh epi ths hthamalhs, penihras klinhs ths. O mikros luhnos, kremastos, etremosvhne katw tou fatnwmatos ths estias. Erripte skian anti fwtos eis ta oliga penihra epipla, ta opoia efainonto kathariwtera kai kosmiwtera thn nukta. Oi treis misokaumenoi dauloi, kai to mega orthon koutsouron ths estias, erripton pollhn stakthn, olighn anthrakian kai spaniws vremousan floga, kamnousan thn graian na enthumhtai mesa eis thn nustan ths thn apousan mikroteran korhn ths, thn Kriniw, htis an eurisketo twra entos tou dwmatiou, tha upepsithurize me tonon logaoidikon: An einai filos, na harh, an ein' ehthros, na skash... H Hadoula, h legomenh Fragkissa, h allws Fragkogiannou, hto gunh shedon e3hkontoutis, kalokamwmenh, me adrous harakthras, me hthos andrikon, kai me duo mikras akras mustakos anw twn heilewn ths. Eis tous logismous ths, sugkefalaiousa olhn thn zwhn ths, evlepen oti pote den eihe kamei allo tipote eimh na uphreth tous allous. Otan hto paidiskh, uphretei tous goneis ths. Otan upandreuthh, egine sklava kai omws, ws ek tou harakthros ths kai ths tou suzugou ths

2 adunamias ekeinou, hto sughronws kai khdemwn autou otan apekthse tekna, egine doula twn teknwn ths otan ta tekna ths apekthsan tekna, egine palin douleutria twn eggonwn ths. To neognon eihe gennhthh pro duo evdomadwn. H mhtera tou eihe kamei varia lehwsia. Hto auth h koimwmenh epi ths klinhs, h prwtotokos korh ths Fragkogiannous, h Delharw h Trahhlaina. Eihan viasthh na to vaptisoun thn dekathn hmeran epeidh epashe deinws eihe kakon vhha, kokkithn, sunodeuomenon me spasmwdika shedon sumptwmata. Kathws evaptisthh, to nhpion efanh na kalutereuei oligon, thn prwthn vradian, kai o vhhas ekopasen ep' oligon. Epi pollas nuktas, h Fragkogiannou den eihe dwsei upnon eis tou ofthalmous ths, oude eis ta vlefara ths nustagmon, agrupnousa plhsion tou mikrou plasmatos, to opoion oud' efantazeto poious kopous epro3enei eis tous allous, oude posa vasana emelle na upoferh, ean epezh, kai auto. Kai den hto ikanon na aisthanthh kan thn aporian, thn opoian monh h mammh dietupwne krufiws mesa ths: The mou, giati na elthh ston kosmo ki auto? H graia to enanourize, kai tha hton ikanh na eiph ta pathh ths tragoudia apopanw apo thn kounian tou mikrou. Kata tas prolavousas nuktas, pragmati, eihe paralogisei anapolousa ol' auta ta pathh ths eis to pezon. Eis eikonas, eis skhnas kai eis oramata, ths eihen epanelthei eis ton noun olos o vios ths, o anwfelhs kai mataios kai varus. O pathr ths hton oikonomos kai ergatikos kai fronimos. H manna ths hton kakh, vlasfhmos kai fthonera. Hton mia apo tas striglas ths epohhs ths. H3eure magia. Thn eihan kunhghsei duo-treis foras oi kleftes, ta pallhkaria tou Karatasou kai tou Gatsou kai twn allwn oplarhhgwn ths Makedonias. Epra3an touto dia na thn ekdikhthoun, epeidh tous eihe kamei magia, kai den ephgainan kala oi douleies twn.

3 Epi treis mhnas esholazon en argia, kai den hmporesan na kamoun tipote pliatsiko, oute apo Tourkous, oute apo hristianous. Oute h Kuvernhsis ths Korinthou tous eihe steilei kanen vohthhma. Thn eihan kunhghsei ton kathforon, apo thn korufhn t' Ai-Thanasou, eis to oropedion tou Profhtou Hlia, me tas pelwrias platanous kai thn plousian vrusin, k' ekeithen eis to Merovili, sto plagi tou vounou, anamesa eis ta ormania kai tous loggous. Auth edokimase na krufthh eis mian lohmhn vatheian, plhn ekeinoi den egelasthhsan. O throus twn fullwn kai twn kladwn, o idios tromos ths, ostis metedide tromwdh kinhsin eis klwnas kai thamnous, thn eprodwken. Hkouse tote agrian fwnhn: Ah! mwrh tsoupa, kai s' epiasame! Auth anephdhse tote mes' apo tous thamnous, k' etre3en ws fovismenh trugwn me to pterugisma twn leukwn plateiwn heiridwn ths. Den hto pleon elpis na glutwsh. Allote, thn prwthn foran ote thn eihon kunhghsei, eihe katorthwsei na krufthh, katw eis to Purgi, epeidh to meros ekeino eihe polla monopatia. Edw, sto Merovili, den uphrhon dromiskoi kai lavurinthoi, alla monon sustades dendrwn kai lohmai apathtoi. H tote neara Delharw, h mhthr ths Fragkogiannous, ephda ws dorkas apo thamnou eis thamnon, anupodhtos, epeidh pro pollou eihe peta3ei tas emvadas ths apo tous podas, opisthen ths, thn mian twn opoiwn eihen analavei ws lafuron o eis ek twn diwktwn kai t' agkathia ehwnonto eis tas pternas ths, ths eshizon k' aimatwnon tous astragalous kai tarsous. Tote, en th apelpisia, ths hlthe mia empneusis. Ekeithen tou loggou, eis to plagi tou vounou, hton eis kai monos kallierghmenos elaiwn, kaloumenos o Peukos tou Mwraith. O geroMwraiths, o pappos tou kthtoros, eihe metanasteusei apo ton Mistran eis ton topon auton, peri ta telh tou allou aiwnos kata thn

4 epohhn ths Aikaterinhs kai tou Orlwf. O fhmismenos peukos istato eis to meson twn elaiwn, ws gigas meta3u nanwn. To hilietes dendron hton skafidiasmenon konta eis thn rizan, katw, eis ton gigantiaion kormon, ton opoion den hmporousan n' agkaliasoun pente andres. Oi voskoi kai oi alieis ton eihan skafidiasei, tou eihan skapsei thn kardian, tou eihan koilanei ta egkata, dia na lavwsin ekeithen afthonon dada. Kai me thn foveran plhghn eis ta inas, eis ta splaghna tou, o peukos epezhsen alla tria tetarta aiwnos, mehri tou 1871. Kata Ioulion tou etous ekeinou, megan topikon seismon hsthanthhsan oi katoikountes, eis apostasin miliwn, katw eis thn parathalassian. Thn nukta ekeinhn katerreusen o gigas. Eis to koilwma ekeino, entos tou opoiou hdunanto na kathiswsin anetws duo anthrwpoi, etre3e na kruvh h tote neonumfos Delharw, h mhthr ths shmerinhs Fragkogiannous. To meson hto apelpi, kai shedon paidariwdes. Ekei den ekrupteto allws, eimh kata fantasian, me paidikon tropon, opws paizousi ton krufton. Oi diwktai vevaiws tha thn evlepon, th' anekalupton to katafugion ths. Monon ek twn nwtwn hto aoratos, all' ohi kata proswpon. Ama oi treis kleftai efthanon peran tou peukou, tha thn evlepon ws karfwmenhn ekei. Oi treis andres etre3an, to eprosperasan, k' e3hkolouthhsan na trehoun. Oi duo e3 autwn oud' estrafhsan opisw na idoun. Efantazonto oti h tsoupa etrehen empros. Monon thn teleutaian stigmhn, o tritos estrafh, opwsoun skotismenos, pros ta opisw, kai ekoita3e pantou allou, ohi omws eis ton kormon tou peukou. Evlepe kai ton peukon sullhvdhn, me t' all' antikeimena, hwris na fantazetai oti o kormos tou eihen koilian, kai oti entos ths koilias ekrupteto anthrwpos. Kai an egnwrize, kai an hgnoei to koilwma tou gigantiaiou kormou, ekeinhn thn stigmhn den eperasen apo ton noun tou. Ekoitaze na idh mh anakalupsh pou to hasma ths ghs, to opoion tha thn eihe

5 katapiei e3 apantos dioti kammia ptuhh ghs orath den uphrhen opou na kruvh tis. Ai Druades, ai numfai twn daswn, tas opoias auth isws epekaleito eis tas mageias ths, thn eprostateusan, etuflwsan tous diwktas ths, erripsan prasinwphn ahlun, hloeron skotos, eis tous ofthalmous twn kai den thn eidon. H neara gunh eswthh apo tous onuhas twn. Kai olon ton kairon usteron e3hkolouthhse na kamnh magia, magia enantion twn kleftwn, kai na fernh eis autous polla kesatia, wste pouthena pleon den uphrhe pliatsiko ewsotou, edwken o Theos kai hsuhasan ta pragmata, kai o Soultanos Mahmout eharise, kathws legoun, ta Diavolonhsia eis thn Ellada, k' ektote epausan na einai asudota. Thn pliatsikologian diedehthh h forologia, kai ektote olos o periousios laos e3akolouthei na douleuh dia thn megalhn kentrikhn gastera, thn wta ouk ehousan. * * * H Hadoula h Fragkissa, an kai polu mikra, hton gennhmenh tote, kai ta enthumeito ol' auta, ta opoia dihgeito argotera h manna ths. Usteron, otan emegalwse, k' egine dekaepta hronwn, kai eirhneusan opwsoun ta pragmata, kata tous hronous tou Kuvernhtou, thn upandreusan oi goneis ths, kai ths edwkan andra ton Giannhn ton Fragkon, ekeinon ton opoion h suzugos tou epwnomasen argoteron ton Skoufon kai ton Logariasmon. Ta duo tauta paragkwmia den tou ta eihe dwsei aneu logou h suzugos tou, h Hadoula. Skoufon ton eihen onomasei, akomh prin ton upandreuthh, otan ton eirwneueto sunhthws, me thn parthenikhn ponhrian ths hwris na prognwrizh oti autos tha hton h tuhh ths kai o kalos ths epeidh, anti fesiou, eforei eidos makrou skoufou, tefrokokkinou, me konthn fountan. Logariasmon ton wnomasen

6 argotera, afou ton upandreuthh, epeidh sunhthize pollakis thn frasin, autos ein' o logariasmos, kai dioti, allws, den hdunato orthws na logariash oute poson di' oligous parades, oute duo hmerokamata. An eleipen auth, tha ton egelousan kathhmerinws pote den tha tou edidan swston ton kopon tou eis ta ploia, eis to karinagio h eis ton arsanan, opou eirgazeto ws maragkos h ws kalafaths. Eihen upar3ei epi makron hronon mathhths kai kalfas tou patros ths, e3askountos thn idian tehnhn. Otan ton eiden o gerwn toson aploikon, oligarkh kai metriofrona, ton e3etimhse, kai apefasise na ton kamh gamvron. Ws proika tou edwke mian oikian erhmon, etoimorropon, eis to palaion Kastron, opou ekatoikousan ena kairon oi anthrwpoi, pro tou 21. Tou edwke k' ena onomati Mpostani, to opoion eurisketo akrivws e3w tou erhmou Kastrou, epi tinos krhmnwdous akths kai apeihe treis wras apo thn shmerinhn polihnhn. Omoiws k' ena pinaki hwrafi, en agriohwrafon, to opoion amfesvhtei o geitonas ws idikon tou oi de alloi geitones elegon oti kai ta duo hwrafia dia ta opoia emalwnan oi duo hsan katapathmena, kai hsan kalogerika, anhkonta eis mian dialutheisan Monhn. Toiauthn proika edwken o gero-Statharos eis thn thugatera tou. Allws auth hto monahokorh. Dia ton eauton tou, thn sumvian kai ton uion tou, eihe krathsei tas duo neodmhtous oikias eis thn nean polin, ta duo ampelia kai osa metrhta plhsion tauths, duo elaiwnas, kai oliga hwrafia eihen. * * * Ews edw eihan fthasei ai anamnhseis ths Fragkogiannous, thn nukta ekeinhn. Hton h endekath espera apo tou toketou ths korhs ths. To thugatrion eihen upotropiasei palin, k' epashe deinws. Eihen elthei

7 arrwston eis ton kosmon. Apo thn koilian ths mhtros tou, h fthora to eihe parakolouthhsei... Thn stigmhn ekeinhn, spasmwdikos vhhas hkousthh, kai ta 3upnhta oneira, ai anamnhseis, diekophsan. Ekinhthh epi ths penihras strwmnhs, opou hto anakeklimenh, ekupsen epi tou paidiou, k' eprospathhse na dwsh eis auto proheiron vohtheian. Eplhsiasen eis to fws tou luhnou mikran fialhn. Edokimase na dwsh mian koutalian, eis ta heilh tou mwrou. To mikron egeuthh to reuston, kai meta mian stigmhn palin to e3erase. H lehwna ekinhthh epi ths hamhlhs kai stenhs klinhs. Fainetai oti den ekoimato kala. Hto monon narkwmenh, kai eihe kleista ta vlefara. Hnoi3e ta ommata, aneshkwthh duo h treis daktulous anw tou proskefalou, kai hrwthse: Pws paei, manna? Pws na pah!... eipen austhrws h graia hsuhase twra, kai su!... Ti tha kamh!... den tha vh3h? Pws to vlepeis, manna? Pws na to idw?... Mwro paidi einai... na, pou hrthe ston kosmo ki auto!... eprosthese me strufnon kai allokoton hthos h graia. Kai met' oligon h lehwna apekoimhthh hsuhwtera. H graia molis ekleisen oligon ta ommata thn wran tou orthrou, meta to triton lalhma tou peteinou. E3upnhsen apo thn fwnhn ths korhs ths, ths Amersas, htis hlthe lian prwi apo ton mikron oikiskon, ton geitonikon anupomonousa na mathh pws einai h lehwna kai to mwron, kai pws eihe perasei thn nukta h manna ths. H Amersa, h deuterotokos, hton anupandrh, gerontokorh hdh, alla prokommenh polu, morfodoula, onomasth de ufantria hton melapsh, upshlh, andrwdhs, kai ta proikia ths kai ta stolidia ta kenthta, ta opoia monh ths eihe kataskeuasei, euriskonto kleismena

8 apo hronwn pollwn eis megalhn akompson kasselan, kai ta etrwgen o skoros kai to saraki. Kalhmera!...Pws eiste?...Pws perasate? Esu' sai, Amersa?... Na, perase ki auth h nuhta. H graia molis eihen e3upnhsei, k' etrive ta ommata traulizousa. Hkousthh thoruvos eis to plaginon mikron hwrisma. Hton o Ntanths o Trahhlhs, o suzugos ths lehwnas, ostis ekoimato ekeithen tou leptou 3ulotoihou, parapleurws enos allous korasiou k' enos paidiou mikras hlikias, kai eihen e3upnhsei thn stigmhn ekeinhn. Emazeue ta ergaleia tou skeparnia, prionia, rokania, kai htoimazeto na upagh ston tarsanan, n' arhish to merokamaton. Akous, ti samanta kanei! eipen h graia. Den mporei na mazw3h ta siderika tou, hwris n' akousth. Opoios ton akouei, tharrei ti ginetai!... Guftiko spiti kaietai, eipen eirwnikws gelwsa h Amersa. O thoruvos twn ergaleiwn, ta opoia o Ntanths, hwris na einai oratos, opisthen tou 3ulotoihou, erripten ana en mesa sto zempili tou skeparnia, prionia, trivelia, ktl. e3upnhse kai thn lehw, thn gunaika tou. T' einai, manna? Ti na einai!...O Kwnstanths rihnei ta sunerga tou mes sto zempili!... eipe meta stenagmou h graia. Kai vio logariazeis?...suneplhrwse thn paroimian h Amersa. Hkousthh tote h fwnh tou Kwnstanth opisthen tou mikrou diafragmatos. 3upnhsate, pethera?... elege pws perasate? Pws na peraswme!... San thn kotta sto mulo... Ela na pihs to raki sou. O Ntanths efanh eis thn thuran tou heimerinou thalamou. Hto eurusternos, me aharin ton kormon, aiskiwtos, opws elegen h graia

9 penthera tou, kai shedon spanos. H graia edei3en eis thn Amersan thn mikran fialhn me to raki, eis to mikron rafi anwthen ths estias, kai ths eneuse na valh sto pothraki, dia na pih o Kwnstanths. Den ehei kanena suko?... hrwthse outos, ama elave to rakopothron apo thn heira ths gunaikadelfhs tou. Pou na vrethh tetoio prama!... eipen h graia Hadoula. Saranta stahtokouloura mas hreiazont' edw, eprosthesen, ennoousa thn spatalhn htis sunhthws ginetai k' eis ta ptwhotera spitia, en kairw enskhpsews toioutou aisiou gegonotos, opoion einai kai h gennhsis korhs. Theleis esu gampro me matia? eipen enthumhtheisa allhn paroimian h gunaikadelfh tou, h Amersa. Touloou s' mhn ton thelhs ton sastiko sou na' nai stravos? eipe hwris na peirahthh, o Ntanths... Eviva! Kalh sarantish! K' epien apneusti to mikron pothrion. Kalo sas vradu! Efortwthh thn zempilan, k' ephge dia ton tarsanan. V' To pur efthinen eis thn estian, o luhnos etremofeggen eis to mikron fatnwma, h lehwna elagokoimato epi ths klinhs to vrefos evhhen eis to liknon, kai h graia Fragkogiannou, opws kai tas prolavousas nuktas, hgrupnei epi ths strwmnhs ths. Hton peri to prwton lalhma tou peteinou, opote ai anamnhseis erhontai en eidei fantasmatwn. Afou thn upandreusan, kai thn ekoukoulwsan, kai thn eproikisan me to spiti to etoimorropon eis to palaion akatoikhton Kastron, kai me to mpostani to herson eis thn

10 agrian voreinhn eshatian, kai me to agriohwrafon to diafilonikoumenon apo ton geitona kai apo to Monasthri, h neonumfos meta tou suzugou ths ekatoikhsen eis to spiti ths andradelfhs ths ths hhras, kai anoi3e noikokurio me mikra pragmata. To proikosumfwnon ths, ws toson, egrafe leptomerws oti ths eihan dwsei toses foresies rouha, tosa upokamisa, toses proskefalades, opws kai duo halkwmata, ena thgani, mian purostian, ktl. Akomh kai mahairopirouna kai koutalia anegrafe to proikosumfwnon. H andradelfh, amesws thn Deuteran, thn epiousan tou gamou, ta e3hleg3en ola, kai euren oti eleipon ek twn en twn katalogw duo sindonia, duo ma3ilaria, en halkwma, kathws kai mia plhrhs foresia. Authhmeron de parhggeile ths pentheras na ferh ta elleiponta. H idiotelhs graia aphnthsen oti ta osa edwse, einai kalws dosmena, kai einai arketa. Tote h andradelfh evale sta logia ton adelfon ths outos pareponethh eis thn neonumfon, ekeinh de tou aphnthsen: An agroikouse to sufero tou, den tha edeheto na tou grapsoun spiti sto Kastro, opou monon ta stoiheia katoikoun kai ti ton wfeloun ta sindonia kai ta pokamisa, afou den hton ikanos na parh spiti ki ampeli k' eliwna? Kata thn epohhn tou arravwnos, h Hadoula eihe dokimasei tw onti na sfuri3h kati toiouton st' autia tou gamvrou. An kai nea polu hton, alla, haris eis thn fusin k' eis ta mathhmata ths mhtros ths, ta ekousia kai ta akousia, eihe ginei polu ponhrh, analogws ths hlikias ths. All' h manna ths, muristheisa to pragma, kai fovoumenh mhpws auth, h mikrh Striglitsa, kathws wnomaze sunhthws thn korhn ths, tou shkwsh ta muala tou gamvrou, wste na ponhrepsh outos na zhth proikia perissotera, e3hskhse turannikhn epithrhsin epi ths korhs kai tou arravwniastikou, mh epitrepousa thn elahisthn idiaiteran sunomilian meta3u twn duo. Touto ekamne, proshhmati men dia thn semnothta:

11 Den ehw.... na mou skarwsh kanena prwimadi... auth h Striglitsa! eihen eipei. Vlepete, thn metaforan tou rhmatos thn elamvanen apo to epaggelma ths suntehnias. (Skarwnw karavi isodunamei me to nauphgw naun) alla pragmati to ekamne, dia na mh anagkasthh na dwsh megaluteran proika. Mian esperan, thn paramonhn tou arravwnos, ote o gamvros meta ths adelfhs tou eihon elthei eis thn oikian na suzhthsoun ta peri proikos, enw o gerwn nauphgos uphgoreue to proikosumfwnon eis ton Anagnwsthn ton Suvian, psalthn ths ekklhsias, ostis eihe vgalei to oreihalkinon kalamari tou apo thn zwnhn, thn ek pterou hhnos pennan apo thn makran thhkhn tou kalamariou, tou omoiazontos polu me pistolan, kai thesas epi twn gonatwn to vivlion tou Apostolou, k' epanw eis to vivlion temahion hondrou hartiou, eihe grapsei kath' upagoreusin tou gerontos Eis t' onoma tou Patros kai tou Uiou kai tou Agiou Pneumatos... upandreuw thn korhn mou Hadoulan me ton Iwannhn Fragkon, kai ths dinw prwton thn euhhn mou..., h Hadoula istato antikru ths estias, dipla eis thn templan thn sthlhn toutesti twn strwmatwn, paplwmatwn kai proskefalaiwn thn skepasthn me meta3wthn sindona, kai epistrefomenhn me duo terastias proskefaladas akinhtos kai kamarwnousa, kata to fainomenon, opws h templa... all' omws eneue krufa, anupomonws, kaitoi me megalhn profula3in, eneuen eis ton arravwniastikon, eneuen eis thn andradelfhn, na mh dehthwsin ws proika spiti sto Kastro kai hwrafi sto Stoivwto, alla n' apaithswsi spiti eis thn nean polin, kai ampeli k' elaiwna eis thn periohhn ths neas polews. Eis mathn. Oute o gamvros, oute h andradelfh eidan t' aphlpismena neumata. Monon h graia, h mhthr ths, htis, an kai anagkasmenh hto na strefh ta nwta pros thn korhn, dia n' antimetwpizh filofronws thn

12 sumpetheran kai ton gamvron, eihe kathisei omws me toiouton tropon, wste na ehh monon thn mian plathn gurismenhn pros thn nean aifnhs, ws na thn eplhroforhsen aoraton pneuma oti kati etrehen, estrafh apotomws pros thn thugatera ths, kai eide t' aphgoreumena kamwmata ths. Parauta eto3euse vlemma foveras apeilhs pros authn. E! mwrh Striglitsa! upepsithurise mesa ths. Ennoia sou!...k' egw se swzw. Euthus omws katopin, eskefthh oti den tha esumfere na kamh logon di' auto to pragma eis thn korhn ths. Dioti efovhthh mhn ths dwsh aformhn na paraponethh eis ton patera ths. Kai tote ta pragmata tha eginonto heirotera vevaiws. O gerwn pithanws tha ekampteto eis tas ikesias kai ta klaumata ths monahokorhs, kai tha edide perissoteran proika. Othen esiwphsen. H Hadoula ethaumase pws, enw h mhthr ths olofanera thn eihen idei na kamnh ta ripsokinduna ekeina neumata, dia prwthn foran eis thn zwhn ths, otan eurethhsan monai, den ths edwken oute nuhies, oute tsimpies, oute dagkwmaties, pragma to opoion, allws, suhna sunhthize. Shmeiwteon oti h proikodosia ths oikias eis to palaion akatoikhton hwrion eihe touto to eulogofanes, oti pollai oikiai eswzonto akoma eis to Kastron, oti oikogeneiai tines sunhthizon na diatrivwsi to theros ekei, kai oti eis thn fantasian twn anthrwpwn uphrhe prokatalhpsis uper tou Palaiou Hwriou, to opoion eponousan oi gerontoteroi, kai den eihan sunhthisei akoma oute eis thn nean ta3in twn pragmatwn, oute eis vion eirhnikon, hwris epidromas kleftwn kai peiratwn kai ths Tourkikhs armadas, kai h egkatastasis eis thn nean polin den enomizeto oristikh, all' uphrhe prosdokia oti oi anthrwpoi tha eviazonto kai palin na epanelthoun eis ta palaia, ta mathhmena twn. K' enw olo to Kastron anepoloun, kai to Kastron elupounto kai to erremvazon, kai

13 to eihon eis to stoma, den epauon omws na ktizwsin oikodomas eis ton neon sunoikismon opws apodeihthh dia muriosthn foran oti oi anthrwpoi sunhthws alla skeptontai kai alla kamnoun, kai oti mimountai allhlous mhhanikws. Outw loipon, meta duo evdomadas apo tou arravwnos etelesthh o gamos. Outws hthelhsen h penthera. Den ths hresken, ws elege, na ehh gamvron astefanwton na suhnazh sto spiti, afou eihe tharros apo prin, ws suntehniths kai paraguios tou andros ths. Kai h andradelfh, hhra, hlikiwmenh, me ena paida efhvon, ergazomenon epishs eis to nauphgeion, kai en allo paidion k' en korasion anhlika, edehthh kat' oikon to neon androgunon. Eita, meta en etos, egennhthh to prwton paidion, o Stathhs, kai deutera h Delharw, akolouthws o Gialhs, katopin o Mihalhs, akolouthws h Amersa, met' authn o Mhtrakhs, kai h teleutaia h Kriniw. Kata tous prwtous hronous efaineto na vasileuh eirhnh entos ths oikias. Eita, otan hrhisan na megalwnoun ta duo prwta paidia ths numfhs, eihon de megalwsei arketa kai ta duo teleutaia ths andradelfhs, hrhise polemos entos tou oikou. Tote h Fragkogiannou, htis me thn hlikian kai thn peiran tou kosmou egeneto polu sofwtera, eihen a3iwthh, ws elege metriofronws, n' apokthsh ki auth ena spitaki diko ths, haris eis thn epide3iothta ths kai thn oikonomian ths. Thn mian hronian hmporese monon na ktish tessaras toihous laspoktistous, mikrous kai hamhlous kai na tous stegash thn deuteran hronian katwrthwse na petswsh kata ta tria tetarta to spiti, dhl. na kataskeuash mikron patwma, me diafora sanidia, anomoia palaia kai nea, kai, hwris na hash kairon, anupomonousa, pote na 3eleutherwthh apo thn turannian ths andradelfhs, h opoia eghraze k' egineto para3enh, ekouvalhthh, k' ephge na egkatastathh, mazi me ton suzugon kai ta tekna, eis thn gwnian ths, eis thn fwlian

14 ths, eis thn akrhn ths. Thn hmeran ekeinhn, opws elegen h idia, hsthanthh thn megaluteran haran eis thn zhsin ths. Ol' auta ta enthumeito, kai oioneita anezh h Fragkogiannou, kata tas makras ekeinas aupnous nuktas tou Ianouariou, enw o vorras hkoueto ek dialeimmatwn na surizh e3w, plhttwn tas keramous, kai kamnwn na hhwsi ta parathura, opote hgrupnei para to liknon ths mikras eggonhs ths. Hto hdh trith wra meta ta mesanukta, kai o peteinos elalhse kai palin. To thugatrion, to opoion molis eihen hsuhasei pro mikrou, arhise na vhhh ek neou odunhrws. Eihen elthei asthenikon eis ton kosmon, kai proseti, fainetai oti eihe kruwsei thn trithn hmeran, eis ta kolumpidia, otan to eihan lousei entos ths skafhs, kai kakos vhhas to eihe kollhsei. H Fragkogiannou aplhstws apo hmerwn paremoneue na idh sumptwmata spasmwn eis to mikron asthenes plasma epeidh tote h3euren oti auto den tha eswzeto plhn eutuhws toiouton pragma den evlepe. Einai gia na vasanizetai kai na mas vasanizh, eihen upopsithurisei, hwris kaneis na thn akoush, mesa ths. Thn stigmhn tauthn, h Fragkogiannou anoi3e ta kleista agrupnounta ommata, k' ekounhse to liknon. Sughronws hthelhse na dwsh to sunhthes reuston eis to pashon mwron. Poios vhhei? hkousthh mia fwnh opisthen tou mesotoihou. H graia den aphnthsen. Hto Savvaton esperas, kai o gamvros ths eihe piei ena raki parapanw, prin deipnhsh omoiws eihe piei, meta to deipnon, k' ena megalo pothri apo lakuron krasi, dia na 3ekourasthh apo ta merokamata olhs ths evdomados. Loipon, o Ntanths, epeidh eihe piei arketa, analogws, wmilouse mesa ston upno tou, h mallon paramilouse.

15 To mwron den edehthh thn ranida tou reustou eis to stoma, alla thn elaktise me thn glwssitsan tou, en th ormh tou vhhos, ostis eihen au3hsei lian algeinws. Skasmos!... eipe palin o Kwnstanths, o pathr tou vrefous, mesa ston upno tou. Kai plantasmos!... prosethhke met' eirwneias h Fragkogiannou. H lehwna e3afnisthh mesa ston upno ths, akousa isws ton vhha tou mikrou, kai ama ton allokoton vrahun dialogon, ostis dihmeifthh mesw tou 3ulotoihou meta3u tou koimwmenou kai ths agrupnoushs. T' einai, manna? eipen anashkwtheisa h Delharw. Den einai kala to paidi? H graia emeidiase strufnws eis to tromwdes fws tou mikrou luhnou. Sa s' akouw, duhatera!... Auto to sa s' akouw, duhatera elehthh me tonon polu allokoton. Allws den hto h prwth fora, kath' hn h neara mhthr hkoue toiouton ti ek merous ths mhtros ths. Enthumeito oti kai allote sunevh, h graia meta3u gunaikwn kai graidiwn ths geitonias, na ekfrash, meta seismatos ekfrastikou ths kefalhs, eis wras kath' as egineto logos peri ths megalhs plhthwras twn nearwn korasiwn, peri ths spanews, peri tou 3eniteumou kai twn upermetrwn apaithsewn twn gamvrwn, peri twn vasanwn osa upefere mia hristianh dia na apokatasthsh t' adunata merh, toutesti ta thhlea, na ekfrash, legw, paraplhsia aisthhmata. Otan malista h mhthr ths hkoue peri arrwstias mikrwn korasidwn eihen akousthh, seiousa thn kefalhn, na legh: Sa s' akouw geitonissa!... Den einai haros, den einai vrahos? epeidh sunhthize polu suhna na ekfrazetai me paroimias lian ekfrastikas. Kai allote palin thn hkousan na dogmatizh oti o anthrwpos den sumferei na kamnh polla koritsia, kai oti to kaluteron

16 einai na mh pandreuetai kaneis. H de sunhthws euhh ths pros ta mikra korasia hto na mh swsoun!... Na mhn pane parapanw! Kai allote proevh epi tosouton wste na eipe: Ti na sas pw!... Etsi tou 'rhetai t' anthrwpou, thn wra pou genniwntai, na ta karudopnigh!... Nai men to eipen, alla vevaiws den tha hto ikanh na to kamh pote... Kai h idia den to episteue. G' Outw eihon diarreusei pollai nuktes apo tou toketou ths Delharws ths Trahhlainas. Afou to mikron evaptisthh, kai wnomasthh Hadoula, me t' onoma ths mammhs tou to opoion ekamen ekeinhn na morfazh seiousa thn kefalhn, kai na psithurizh mhn tuhh kai hathh t' onoma! palin h graia hgrupnei, an kai to mwron efaineto na einai opwsoun kalutera. Allws h agrupnia hto en th fusei kai th idiosugkrasia ths Fragkogiannous, htis eskepteto hilia pragmata, kai eihen ton upnon duskolon. Oi logismoi kai ai anamnhseis ths, amaurai eikones tou parelthontos, hrhonto allepallhloi ws kumata mesa eis ton noun ths, pro twn ofthalmwn ths psuhhs ths. Eihe karpogonhsei, loipon, h Hadoula tosa tekna, kai eihe ktisei mikron ospition dia na katoikhsh. Otan hu3anen h oikogeneia, toson hu3anon kai ta farmakia. Nai, apo tas idias oikonomias ths eihen apokthsei thn mikran oikian h Giannou, kai ohi apo ta perisseumata tou suzugou ths. O mastro-Giannhs o Skoufos, h o Logariasmos, den h3eure, pragmati, na logariash kala oute posa merokamata eihe doulepsei, oute posa kanoun tessara h pente h e3 merokamata ths evdomados pros mian kai 75 h mian kai 80 dioti tosa epairnen ws

17 triths ta3ews maragkos. Otan eniote, ws kalafaths, eplhrwneto pros 2.35 h 2.40, palin den h3eure na ta logariash. Monon tou hreske na ta pinh, shedon ola, thn Kuriakhn. Plhn eutuhws h suzugos tou eihe lavh ta metra ths, k' epairnen auth ta lepta sta heria ths to Savvaton to vradu. H ta eisepratte kat' eutheian apo ton prwtomastorhn, ohi aneu eridos kai duskolias epeidh o prwtomastorhs den hthele na ths ta dwsh protimwn na ta egheirish eis ton mastro-Giannhn ton idion, apo ton opoion malista ekratei, kathws kai ap' olous tous allous, deka h dekapente lepta ws ektakta pososta, legwn ehw koritsia, vre aderfe, ehw koritsia!. All' h Fragkogiannou pou na gelasthh! Auth tou edide thn monhn logikhn kai thn monhn prepousan apanthsin: Esu monaha eheis koritsia mastorh? O allos kosmos den ehoun? H, an den katwrthwne na ta lavh h idia apo ton arhinauphgon, h Giannou ta hrpaze, Sa hwrata, san alhtheia, apo tas heiras tou suzugou ths, afou efrontize prwton na ton kalokardish kai na ton ferh eis thn katallhlon psuhologikhn thesin. H, telos, ton afhne na koimhthh misozalismenos, kai ta eklepten apo ta foremata tou, thn nukta tou Savvatou. Monon, thn Kuriakhn prwi, tou edide dia hartziliki 40 h penhnta lepta. Loipon eihe ktisei ton oikiskon apo tas oikonomias ths, alla poia hto h prwth vasis tou mikrou ekeinou kefalaiou? Thn wran tauthn, kata thn nukta ths agrupnias, dia prwthn foran to e3wmologeito kath' eauthn. Pote den to eihe eiph oute eis ton pneumatikon ths, eis ton opoion allws polu mikra pragmata elegen akrivws ekeina monon ta sunhthh amarthmata, osa ekeinos h3eure protou na ta eiph auth dhladh kakologian, thumous, gunaikeias kataras kai ta toiauta. Pote htis den to eihen omologhsei eis thn mhteran ths, ef' oson ezh ekeinh allws hto h monh pou to upwpteue kai to h3eure hwris na ths ta eiph

18 auth. Nai, einai alhthes, oti emeleta kai eihen apofasin na ths ta eiph kata tas teleutaias stigmas ths. Plhn dustuhws h graia, prin apothanh, sunevh na vwvathh kai na kwfathh kai na meinh anaisthhth san prama, opws periegrafe thn katastasin tauthn h korh ths, k' etsi den edothh eukairia na ths omologhsh to ptaisma ths. Akomh oligwteron, den to eipe pote eis ton patera ths, oute eis ton suzugon ths. Idou poion hto to mustikon touto. Pro tou gamou ths h Hadoula eihen arhisei na klepth ap' oliga oliga ek twn hrhmatwn tou patros ths, ap' oligous parades, apo mison grosi. Toson oliga, wste shedon den to hsthanthh oute to upwpteusen ekeinos. Monon duo foras eihen ennohsei o idios oti eihe kamei esfalmenon ton logariasmon tou mikrou thhsaurou tou. Ton thhsauron touton apetheten eis mian krupthn, thn opoian pro pollou eihen anakalupsei h graia, meta hronon de anekalupse kai h korh. Tote pros kairon, h Hadoula diekopse tas klopas, dia na mh dwsh lavhn megaluteras uponoias eis ton patera ths. Argotera, palin e3anarhise na klepth perissotera, alla den epiane hartwsia empros eis tas klopas ths mhtros ths. Auth eihe klepsei polla, alla me tehnh kai methodon. Eklepte ta perissotera apo tas allas epiheirhseis, eis tas opoias eihe kata mega meros thn diaheirisin, kathws apo pwlhsin elaiou kai oinou, proiontwn twn kthmatwn ths oikogeneias, kai oliga, shedon osa kai h korh tous, apo ta merokamata tou gerou. Meta hronous, otan anoi3an oi douleies, ki o gero-Stathhs egine mikroarhinauphgos eskarwne varkes kai kaikia monahos tou, vohthoumenos apo ton uion kai apo ton paraguion tou, eis to proaulion ths oikias tote h graia hmporese na klepsh arketa kai apo ta kerdh ths nauphgikhs tehnhs. Teleutaion, oligous mhnas pro tou gamou ths, h Hadoula eihe katorthwsei n' anakalupsh thn krupthn opou eihe to kompodema h

19 mhtera ths. Eis mian ophn tou katwgeiou, anamesa eis ta pitharia ta misogemata kai ta varelia t' adeiana, eurisketo mia plateia kai makra lwris maurhs mandhlas, opou h graia eihe demena san skulia ekaton evdomhnta tosa argura tallhra, alla kolwnata, alla rhgines, kai alla tourkika, ola klemmena apo ta kerdh tou gerou kai ta proionta twn kthmatwn. H korh me faidran ekplh3in, kai me sugkinhsin tromwdh, emetrhse ta tallhra, ta skulodemena, kai eita ta evale palin eis thn ophn twn, hwris na tolmhsh na ta peira3h. Alla thn paramonhn tou gamou, to vradu, thn wran pou enuhtwnen otan eide thn epimonhn twn gonewn ths, na mh theloun na ths dwsoun arkethn proika, kai eide thn aponian ths mhtros ths parafula3asa thn wran opote h graia e3hlthe pros stigmhn apo thn oikian di' en thelhma, katevh me palmon kardias krufa sto katwgi epsa3e kai aneure to kompodema, to skulodemeno, kai to elusen. Authn thn foran ths efanhsan wsan oliga. Kairon den eihe na ta metrhsh. Isws h graia na eihen afairesei merika ek twn tallhrwn, kai eihe kamei hrhsin di' agnwstous skopous. Ths hlthen h idea na parh to kompodema olon, autousion mazi me thn lwrida ths palaias mandhlas ths mhtros ths, all' efovhthh elave monon oktw h ennea tallhra, katarhas tosa, osa efantazeto oti h apousia twn den tha epefere megalhn diaforan eis ton ogkon kai den tha hto amesws epaisthhth, eita ekame na to desh akolouthws palin to hnoi3e, elaven alla pente h e3, to olon dekapente. Katopin palin, enw to edene, ek neou ekame kinhma na to lush, me skopon na parh alla duo h tria akomh. Aifnhs tote hkouse to vhma ths mhtros ths e3w. Viastika edese to kompodema, kai to evalen eis thn thesin tou. Oligas hmeras meta ton gamon, h graia anekalupse thn klophn. Alla den hthelhse na eiph tipote eis thn korhn ths. Emeinen euharisthmenh

20 dioti ekeinh den ta ephren ola. Stravwmara eihen! eipe meta3u twn odontwn ths. To poson ekeino, to opoion h Hadoula eihe klepsei kata kairous apo tous goneis ths, anerhomenon peripou eis tetrakosia grosia, to nomisma ths epohhs ekeinhs, ekrupten epi tosa eth epimelws. Alla dia na ktish thn oikian, to hu3hse me thn ikanothta ths. Hto vevaiws ergatikh kai epide3ia. Oson ths epetrepon ai merimnai ths anatrofhs toswn allepallhlwn teknwn, e3enodouleue. Plhn, eis tous mikrous topous den uparhousin eidikoi, alla polutehnitai kai opws enas mpakalhs kwmopolews einai sughronws kai emporos psilikwn, kai farmakopwlhs, alla kai tokoglufos, outw kai mia kalh ufantria, opoia hto h Fragkogiannou, ouden ekwlue na kamnh sughronws kai thn mammhn h thn pseudogiatrissan, kai alla epaggelmata akomh na e3askh, hrkei na einai epithdeia. Kai h Fragkogiannou hto epithdeiotath meta3u olwn twn gunaikwn. Edide votana, ekamne khraloifas, e3etelei entrivas, etherapeue thn vaskanian, pareskeuaze farmaka dia tas pashousas, dia tas hlwrwtikas kai anaimikas koras, dia tas egkuous kai tas lehous, kai tas ek mhtrikwn alghdonwn pashousas. Me to kalathion upo ton agkwna ths aristeras heiros, akolouthoumenh apo ta duo teleutaia tekna ths, ton Dhmhtrakhn, oktw etwn, kai thn Kriniw, e3aetida, e3hrheto eis tous agrous, anevainen eis ta orh, dietrehe faraggas, koiladas kai reumata, epsahne na eurh ta votana, osa auth egnwrize thn agriokrommuda, thn drakontia, to trimero kai all' akomh ta ekopten h ta e3errizwnen, egemize to kalathion ths, k' epestrefe to vradu eis thn oikian. Me auta ta votana kateskeuaze diafora mantzounia, ta opoia esustainen ws alanthasta iatrika kata twn hroniwn ponwn, tou sththous, ths koilias, twn enterwn, ktl. Th vohtheia olwn autwn twn meswn, oliga kerdizousa, all' oikonomos, katwrthwse, me ton kairon,

21 na ktish thn mikran fwlean ths. All' oi neossoi eihan arhisei na 3epetoun hdh, na feugoun eis ta 3ena! Kata thn epohhn ekeinhn, o prwtos uios ths, eikosaeths hdh, o Statharos, eihe 3eniteuthh eis thn Amerikhn, afou de esteilen en h duo grammata, esiwphse, kai ektote den eihe dwsei shmeion zwhs. Meta tria eth, o deuteros uios ths, o Gialhs, eihe megalwsei ki autos, k' emvarkaristhh. Kai oi duo, eis ta mikra twn hronia, eihon dokimasei thn tehnhn tou patros twn, all' oute o eis oute o allos eprokopsan polu, oude hrkesthhsan eis authn. O Gialhs, ws filostorgos uios kai adelfos, egrapse pros thn mhtera tou ek Massalias, opou eihen upagei m' ena patriwtikon karavi, oti apefasise ki autos na upagh sthn Amerikhn, na idh ti ginetai o megalos aderfos tou isws ton anakalupsei kapou. Alla parhlthon kairoi kai hronoi ektote kai oute o eis oute o allos hkousthhsan pleon. Tote elaven aformhn h mhtera twn na enthumhthh ena paramuthi tou laou ek twn asteioterwn, en w ginetai logos peri strwmatos apo meli, eis to opoion ekollhsan diadohikws kai o prwtos apostaleis uios ths Grias, dia na sulle3h kai ferh ekeithen to meli, kai o deuteros uios, ostis eihe stalh dia na 3ekollhsh ton prwton, kai o tritos, ostis estalh dia na ferh opisw kai tous duo, kai o Geros, ostis ephge na idh ti ginontai oi uioi tou telos, auth h Gria, h opoia eis to usteron apefasise na upagh na idh, makrothen omws dioti, ws gria, eihe toshn ponhrian ti eginan o Geros kai ta paidia kai den egurisan opisw apo to thelhma, eis to opoion tous eihe steilei, molis auth eglutwse kai den ekollhse. Tote strafeisa pros tous tessaras, kollhmenous tous eipen: A! auto sas melei? Emena den me melei! En tw meta3u, enw o Statharos ki o Gialhs eihan 3eniteuthh eis thn Amerikhn, kai eihan fagei lwton, h eihan piei thn Lhthhn, h Delharw, h

22 prwth korh, prwtotokos meta tous 3eniteumenous adelfous ths, emegalwnen, olonen emegalwne. K' h Amersa, shedon tessara eth mikrotera ths adelfhs ths, emegalwne ki auth enamillws me thn Delharw, ki erihne mpoi egineto andrwdhs, melapsh kai zwhra, k' oi geitonisses thn wnomazon to sernikothhluko. K' ekeinh h mikra, to Krinaki, htis den eihe feu! tou krinou to hrwma, an kai fusika ishnh, edeiknuen hdh sumptwmata anaptu3ews. Pws megalwnoun, Thee mou! eskepteto h Fragkogiannou. Poios khpos, poion livadi, poia anoi3is paragei auto to futon! Kai pws vlastanei kai thallei kai fullomanei kai fountwnei! Kai oloi autoi oi vlastoi, ola ta neofuta, tha ginoun mian hmeran prasiai, lohmai, khpoi? Kai outw tha e3akolouthh? Kai pasa oikogeneia eis thn geitonian, kai eis thn sunoikian kai eis thn polin eihan apo duo ews tria korasia. Merikai eihon tessara, allai pente. Mia mhtera eihen e3 thugateras hwris kanenan uion, allh mia eihen epta k' enan uion, o opoios efaineto prowrismenos na fanh ahrhstos. Loipon oloi autoi oi goneis, ola ta androguna, olai ai hhrai, anagkh pasa kai hreos aparaithton, na upandreusoun olas autas tas koras kai tas pente, kai tas e3, kai tas epta! Kai na dwsoun eis olas proika. Pasa ptwhh oikogeneia, pasa mhthr hhra, me duo stremmata agrous, m' ena penihron oikiskon, talaipwroumenh, 3enodouleuousa eite kollhgisa allwn euporwterwn oikogeneiwn eis ta kthmata, eis tas sukas kai tas moreas sullegousa fulla, paragousa olighn meta3an h trefousa duo h treis aigas h amnadas ginomenh kakh me olous tous geitonas, plhrwnousa prostima dia mikras zhmias forologoumenh asplaghnws, trwgousa krithinon arton potismenon me idrwta almuron wfeilen e3 apantos n' apokatasthsh ola ta thhlea tauta, kai na dwsh pente, e3, h epta proikas! W Thee mou!

23 Kai opoias proikas, kata ta nhsiwtika ethima. Spiti sta Kotrwnia, ampeli sthn Ammoudia, eliwna sto Lehouni, hwrafi sto Stroflia. Alla kata tous teleutaious hronous, peri ta mesa tou aiwnos, eihe kollhsei kai allh pswra. To metrhma, ekeino to opoion eis Kwnstantinoupolin wnomazeto trahwma, sunhtheian thn opoian, an den apatwmai, eihen aforisei h Megalh Ekklhsia. Wfeilen ekastos na dwsh kai metrhthn proika. Dishilias, hilias, pentakosias, adiaforon. Allws, as eihe tas koras tou na tas kamarwnh. As tas evaze sto rafi. As ta ekleie sto doulapi. As tas estelne sto Mouseion. D' Ews edw eihon fthasei ai anamnhseis kai oi logismoi ths agrupnoushs graias. Elalhse to deuteron o peteinos. Tha eihan perasei duo meta ta mesanuhta. Ianouarios o mhn. Hronos h nukta. Vorras efusa. H fwtia eis thn estian esvhne. H Fragkogiannou hsthanthh rigos eis thn rahin, kai pagwmenous tous podas ths. Hthele na shkwthh na ferh oliga 3ula e3w apo ton prodomon, dia na ta ripsh eis thn estian, na 3anapsh to pur. All' hrgoporei kai hsthaneto mikran narkhn, isws to prwton sumptwma tou eisvallontos upnou. Thn stigmhn ekeinhn, toson parawra, enw eihe kleista ta ommata, ekrousthh parado3ws h thura. H graia e3afnisthh. Den hthele na fwna3h poios einai, dia na mhn e3upnhsh thn lehw, all' apetina3e thn narkhn ths, diakopeisan hdh apotomws dia tou krotou ths thuras ton opoion eihen akousei, eshkwthh siga, e3hlthe tou thalamou. Prin fthash eis thn e3w thuran, hkouse diakritikhn, psithuron fwnhn: Manna! Anegnwrise thn fwnhn ths Amersas. Hto h deuterotokos korhs ths. Ti epathes, arh?... Ti sou hrthe, tetoia wra?

24 Kai hnoi3e thn thuran. Manna, epanelave met' asthmainoushs fwnhs h Amersa. Ti kanei to koritsi?... mhn pethane? Ohi...koimatai twra hsuhase, eipen h graia. Pws sou hrthe? Eida ston upno mou pws pethane, eipe me pallousan akomh fwnhn h upshlh gerontokorh. Amm' san eihe pethanei, taha ti? eipe kunikws h graia...K' eshkwthhs... k' hrthes na idhs? H oikia ths Giannous, opou auth sunhthws ekatoikei meta twn duo agamwn thugaterwn ths kathoti proswrinws twra dienuktereue plhsion ths lehous ekeito oligas dekadas vhmatwn voreinotera, parekei. Auth h oikia ths Delharws eihe dothh proikwa eis tauthn, hto de auth h palaia oikia, h ktistheisa apo tas oikonomias ths Hadoulas, kai apo ton prwton purhna ton opoion eihe shhmatisei apo to kompodema twn aeimnhstwn gonewn ths. Usteron, oliga eth meta ton gamon ths Delharws, eihe katorthwsei h mhthr ths n' apokthsh kai deuteran fwlean, mikroteran kai athliesteran ths prwths, eis thn authn sunoikian. Duo h treis oikiai ehwrizon thn deuteran apo ths prwths. Apo ekeinhn loipon thn neoktiston oikian eihen elthei toson parawra h Amersa, htis den efoveito ta stoiheia thn nukta, hto de tolmhra kai apofasistikh korh. K' eshkwthhs?... k' hrthes na idhs? 3afnisthka mes ton upno mou, mannoula. Eida pws pethane to koritsi, kai pws esu eihes ena mauro shmadi sto heri sou. Mauro shmadi?... Htheles, taha, na savanwshs to koritsi. Kai thn wra pou to savanwnes, maurise to heri sou... kai pws evales, taha, to heri sou sth fwtia, gia na 3emaurish.

25 Mpa! alafroiskiwth! eipen h graia Hadoula... K' ekames koutourada, k' hrthes, tetoian wra... Den mporousa na hsuhasw, manna. Kai den s' enoiwse to Kriniw, pou efuges? Ohi koimatai. Ki an 3upnhsh, k' idh na leiphs apo konta ths, pws tha ths fanh?... De tha valh tis fwnes?... Tha trelathh, to koritsi! Ai duo adelfai ekoimwnto tw onti monai eis thn mikran oikian. H Amersa hto afovos, k' enepnee pepoithhsin, ws na hto anhr. O pathr twn eihen apothanei pro pollou, oi de epizwntes uioi diarkws eleipon eis ta 3ena. Paw pisw, manna, eipen h Amersa... Alhtheia, den esullogisthka pws mporei na 3upnhsh to Kriniw, authn thn wra, na troma3h, pou tha leipw. Mporouses na meinhs k' edw, eipen h mhtera mono, mh 3upnhsh a3afna to Kriniw, kai parh fovo. H Amersa ekontostathh pros stigmhn. Manna, eipe, theleis na kathisw egw 'dw, na pas esu sto spiti?... gia na 3ekourasths, na hsuhashs. Ohi, eipen, afou eskefthh pros stigmhn h graia. Twra, k' h nuhta auth perase. Aurio vradu, phgainw egw sto spiti, kai kathesai su edw. Mono, twra phgaine. Kalo 3hmerwma! Olos o dialogos egineto eis mikron, stenon prodomon, katemprosthen tou thalamiskou, opou hkouonto hhhroi kai poluhordoi oi roghalismoi tou Kwnstanth. H Amersa, htis eihen elthei 3upolhth, m' elafrotaton apsofon vhma, e3hlthe, kai h mhthr ths ekleidwsen eswthen thn thuran. H Amersa efuge trehousa. Auth na fovhthh ta stoiheia, htis den eihe fovhthh ton aderfon ths ton Mhtron, ton koinws kaloumenon Mwron h Mouron h Moutron ton skian ekeinon, ton triton uion ths mhtros ths,

26 ton opoion h tekousa wnomaze sunhthws to skuli t' Agarhno! ton kata tria eth megaluteron adelfon ths, ostis thn eihe mahairwsei hdh apa3 all' auth ton eihe swsei, mh thelousa na ton paradwsh eis thn e3ousian kai tha thn emahairwne vevaiws kai deuteran foran, ean emenen ektote eleutheros. Eutuhws, eihen allou e3askhsei tas fonikas ormas tou, en tw meta3u, kai eihe kleisthh egkairws eis tas venetikas eirktas tou palaiou frouriou, eis thn Halkida. Idou pws sunevh to pragma. O Mwros h Mouros hto fusei ormhtikos kai paraforos, an kai eihe polu de3ion, thhlukon noun, opws elegen h manna tou noun o opoios egenna. Paidiothen hto ikanos monos tou, na platth, autodidaktos, polla wraia mikra pragmata karavakia, proswpidas, agalmatia, koukles kai alla akomh. Hto skias ths geitonias, o shmaioforos olwn twn magkwn, kai eihen eis tous orismous tou olous tous aguiopaidas, ola ta 3upoluta tou dromou. Eihe sunhthisei enwris thn methhn kai thn aswtian, e3etelei thoruvwdeis paidias, diadhlwseis, paidikas ohlagwgias, mazi me tous mikrous filous tou eprokalei kaugades eis ton dromon, epetrovolei osous sunhnta gerontas kai graias, osous ptwhous kai adunatous. Den afhne shedon kanena anthrwpon apeirakton. Eihe klepsei me to mati, apo enan diavatikon mahairopoion, thn tehnhn tou. Eprospathei atelws na kataskeuazh mahairia. Eihe megan trohon eis thn aulhn, thn skepasthn apo to mega hagiati, kai to katwgi ths oikias shedon to eihe metavalei eis ergostasion k' etrohizen ola ta mahairia kai tous 3urafades twn aguiopaidwn, kai otan den eihen alla na trohish, etrohize to idikon tou. Efilotimeito na to kamh dikopon, an kai e3 arhhs den hton outw shediasmenon. Proseti edokimaze na kataskeuazh koumpoures, pistolia, mikra kanonakia, kai alla fonika organa. Ola ta lepta, osa ekerdizen apo tis koukles, t' agalmatia kai tas proswpidas, kai den ta epine, ta hgoraze puritida. Kai o idios eihe

27 dokimasei na kataskeuazh en toiouton proion. Tas hmeras tou Pasha, kai duo evdomadas akomh opsimwtera, hto fovos kai tromos na tolmhsh tis na perash apo thn geitonian, eis thn opoian evasileue dia tou tromou o Moutros. Oi pistolismoi epipton adialeiptoi. Mian Kuriakhn, o Mouros methusmenos eihe kamei parapollas ata3ias eis ton dromon. Duo hwrofulakes akousantes ta parapona pollwn anthrwpwn, ton ekunhghsan dia na ton piasoun, kai ton paroun mesa h sthn kazarma. All' o Mwros, lian eukinhtos, tous efugen, egurise kai tous emukthrise makrothen, kai palin trapeis eis fughn, ekruvh eis meros aprositon eis to mesa meros tou upostegou tarsana enos nauphgou, e3adelfou tou. Eita, epeidh oi duo andres parhthsan thn katadiw3in, anelave tharros k' e3hlthen eis ton dromon. Thn hmeran ekeinhn, o Mwros, epeidh den eihe 3emethusei akoma, kathnthse na kunhghsh eis ton dromon kai thn idian mhtera tou, apeilwn na thn sfa3h. Pareponeito oti h graia tou eihe klepsei lepta apo thn tsephn. Thn efthasen eis thn aulhn ths oikias, opou etrehen auth dia na krufthh, thn arpa3en apo ta mallia, kai thn esuren epi tou edafous ths odou, eis diasthma penhnta vhmatwn. Auth eihe valei tas fwnas, k' e3hlthon oi geitones. Hton wra esperinou, mikron pro ths dusews tou hliou. Eis tas fwnas twn geitonwn, efthasan oi duo hwrofulakes, oitines apo prin katezhtoun ton Mouron, kai monon kata to fainomenon eihon paraithsei to kunhghma e3 enantias malista hsan lian e3wrgismenoi enantion tou tara3iou. O Mouros, ama tous eiden, afhsen thn mhtera tou k' etraph eis fughn. Etre3e na krufthh eis thn oikian, e3 anagkhs, epeidh eurethh sta stena, kai den evlepen allo asulon pleon makrusmenon all' asfalesteron. H graia, ama eshkwthh, katamwlwpismenh, plhrhs koniortou, eide tous hwrofulakas, ki arhise na tous iketeuh.

28 Afhste ton, paidia! Palavos einai, den einai tipote. Mhn tone skotwnete, paidia, me to kamtsi! Touto eipe dioti eide ton enan hwrofulaka e3hgriwmenon, kratounta eis thn heiran foveron mastigion. Oi duo andres den edwkan prosohhn eis tas ikesias ths, all' e3hkolouthhsan na trehoun pros katadiw3in tou Mwrou. Pareviasan to asulon, to katwgi ths oikias, opou eihe to ergostasion tou o Mwros. Ekei eihe tre3ei dia na krufthh, kai molis eprofthase na mandalwsh thn thuran. All' h sanis hto uposathros, kakws prosarmozomenh, kai o Mwros den eihen agaphsei tas eirhnikas tehnas dia na frontish na thn diorthwsh. Ekeinoi espasan ton mikron surthn kai eishlthon. O Mouros tahus ws ailouros anerrihhthh eis thn klavanhn, eis to patwma. H klavanh hto sima eis ton voreion toihon, o de voreios toihos hto en merei themeliwmenos eis ton vrahon, o vrahos e3eihe, kai pareihe pathma eis tous podas tou Mwrou tous gorgous, kai allas esohas epi tou toihou eihe skapsei o idios kata kairous, dia monwn twn podwn tou. Epeidh fainetai oti sunhthize polu suhna to eidos touto ths gumnastikhs. H sanis ths katarrakths hto kleisth. O Mwros thn hnoi3e me ena ktupon ths kefalhs tou kai me mian prospatheian tou aristerou tou vrahionos. Eita ws o kolumvhths, o anaduomenos ek tou kumatos, ephdhsen epanw eis to patwma, ekleise meta krotou thn klavanhn, k' efanh oti ethesen en varos, isws mikran tina kasselan, epi ths sanidas. Oi duo hwrofulakes, en orgh kai me pollas vlasfhmias, hrhisan na psahnoun eis to isogeion. Kateshon osa mahairia kai koumpouria euron ekei, opws kai ton trohon, kai duo allas mikras akonas kai htoimazonto na e3elthoun isws dia na fugoun, isws kai dia n' anelthoun epanw eis thn oikian.

29 O Moutros h Mourtos, epanw sto patwma, hton plhrhs orghs, methuwn akomh, kai afrismenos. Efusa apo manian kai lussan. Ekei epanw eurethh monh h adelfh tou h Amersa, paidiskh dekaepta etwn tote, htis etroma3en ama ton eide n' anarrihatai eis thn klavanhn me toiouton allokoton tropon. Eihen akousei katw ta vhmata kai tas vlasfhmias twn duo hwrofulakwn. Ekupsen eis mikran shismada, meta3u duo sanidwn tou kakws hrmosmenou patwmatos, h eis ena rozon mias sanidos, haskonta, kenon, kai eide katw tous duo anthrwpous ths e3ousias, eis to fws to eisduon dia ths thuras tou katwgeiou, thn opoian eihon anoi3ei ekeinoi. Mwrh! s' efaga... twra tha piw to aima sou! ekra3en o Moutros, mh ehwn pou allou na 3ethumanh kai apeilwn aneu aitias thn adelfhn tou. Siwpa!...siwpa! epsithurhsen h Amersa. Pw pw, Thee mou! Duo tahtikoi! katw sto katwi... psahnoun... psahnoun... Ti gureuoun? Evlepe tous duo hwrofulakas n' apokomizoun ta mikra, a3esta opla, ta erga tou adelfou ths, ws kai ton trohon kai tas akonas. Eita aifnhs tous eide na kuptoun pros thn gwnian, opou istato o ufantikos istos thn mhtros ths, kai eide ton enan hwrofulaka na lamvanh eis tas heiras tou thn saittan h kerkida, htis tha tou efanh isws kai auth ws oplon afou malista kaleitai kai saitta. O allos edokimase n' apospash apo ton ergaleion to antion, to mega kulindroeides 3ulon, peri to opoion tuligetai to neoufanton panion isws den eihen idei paromoion pragma eis thn zwhn tou, k' efantazeto oti kai auto isws tha hto kalon dia na hrhsimeush ws oplon. H Amersa, idousa afhke kraughn pepnigmenhn. Hthelhse na fwna3h n' afhsoun to anti kai thn sagitta, all' o hhos e3epneusen eis to stoma ths. Skase, mwrh! egru3en o Mourtos. Ti logiazeis? Ti glepeis kai gelas?

30 O Mourtos, en th methh tou, eihen eklavei ws gelwta thn anarthron ekeinhn kraughn ths adelfhs tou. Met' oliga lepta, oi duo hwrofulakes, afou erripsan teleutaion vlemma pros thn klavanhn thn opoian eihon idei na kleietai akrivws kath' hn stigmhn eishrhonto eis to isogeion e3hlthon. H Amersa aneshkwthh. Ths efanh oti hkouse trigmon eis to katw skalopati ths e3wterikhs skalas, htis hto 3ulinh, skepasth upo to euruhwron hagiati, to upostegon. Etre3e pros thn thuran. Efantasthh oti oi duo tahtikoi, opws tous wnomazen, anevainon thn skalan, kai isws tha pareviazon kai thn thuran ths oikias. Ekupsen eis thn kleidotrupan, k' eprospathei na idh k' ennohsh ta sumvainonta dia ths mikras ophs, epeidh to monon parathuron ths prosopsews hto kleismenon, kai den eihen allo meson dia na idh. O Mouros vlepwn thn Amersa na trehh pros thn thuran, efantasthh, en twn paralogismw ths methhs tou, oti h adelfh tou hthele n' anoi3h thn thuran kai ton paradwsh eis tous hwrofulakas. Tote, tuflos ek manias, esuren opisthen, apo ta nwta ths osfuos tou, trohismenhn mahairan thn opoian eihe, kai ormhsas ektuphse thn adelfhn tou eis to pleuron opisthen, kata thn de3ian mashalhn. Aisthantheisa ton psuhron sidhron, h Amersa afhke sparaktikhn kraughn. Oi duo hwrofulakes den eihon akomh apomakrunthh, all' eihan kontostathh e3w ths thuras tou isogeiou, ws na esumvouleuonto ti na kamoun. Hkousan thn kraughn ekeinhn tou tromou, ekoita3an epanw, k' etre3an. Tote anevhsan meta krotou thn skalan k' efthasan eis to hagiati. Eseisan viaiws thn thuran. En onomati tou Nomou! Anoi3ate!

31 Thn stigmhn ekeinhn hlthen eis ton ena twn hwrofulakwn h uponoia oti o enohos tha hdunato isws na drapeteush dia ths katarrakths kai tou isogeiou. Strafeis eis ton deuteron hwrofulaka tou legei. Ehe to nou sou, su! Mh mas to stripsh apo kat' ap' to katahuto, ap' thn katarrhhwsh!...K' usteris pou na ton haleuoume? Ti kreneis? eipen o deuteros, mh ennohsas amesws. Auto pou sou krenw! epemenen o prwtos... Kame keino pou se houiazoune! O deuteros hwrofula3, kaitoi nwthros oligon, etre3e katw oson tahutera hmporese, dia na kleish thn thuran tou isogeiou, h dia na paramoneush. All' hton hdh arga. O Mouros en tw meta3u eihe anoi3ei thn klavanhn, aposuras thn mikran kasselan thn opoian eihe valei epanw ths, kai eihe phdhsei katw. Hton uper ta duo metra to upsos, all' o Mouros hton elafros, eukinhtos, katw de to edafos hto strwmenon me pelekoudia kai prionidia, k' efthase katw orthios kai avlavhs. Trehwn ws anemos, anetrepse ton hwrofulaka, ostis epese varus emprosthen ths e3wterikhs skalas, k' efugen, o Mourtos, ws astraph. Etre3en epanw eis ta Kotrwnia, eis thn katoikian twn glaukwn. Hto vrahwdhs lofos upsoumenos uperanw, ek twn nwtwn ths oikias, opou h3euren ola ta katatopia o Mourtos. Oute katwrthwse tis pote, hwrofula3 h allos na ton sullavh. Thn wran pou eihe phdhsei o Moutros apo thn katarrakthn, parado3ws eihen enthumhthh isws dioti eihe 3emethusei hdh apo ta sumvanta, h eihe 3emoustwsei opws tha elegen o idios eihen enthumhthh, legw, oti afou emahairwse thn adelfhn tou, h mahaira tou epese apo thn heira, kai ekeito eis to patwma. Touto sunevh isws dioti tou eihon elthei tupseis kai fovos, thn stigmhn ekeinhn dio kai epipolhs monon eihe thi3ei me thn lepida thn sarka ths adelfhs tou.

32 Kathws tou hlthen h idea na fugh, k' etre3e n' anoi3h thn klavanhn, epeidh enohse pleon oti oi hwrofulakes anevainon eis to patwma, mh ehwn kairon na epanelthh pros to meros ths thuras, dia na kupsh kai na analavh thn mahairan, etoimos na phdhsh katw, efwna3e pros thn adelfhn tou: To hamper', mwrh!... Koita3e na krupshs ekeino to hamperi! Thn ekfrasin tauthn eprotimhse, dia na mh akousoun oi hwrofulakes to omoioteleuton mahairi. Kata thn foveran stigmhn, ptaisths kai enohos, epekaleito thn filostorgian ths adelfhs tou gia na ton swsh, kathoti eihe pepoithhsin eis authn. H mahaira tha hto aimatwmenh, kai tha evlepon to aima oi diwktai. Kai sunistwn thn apokrupsin tou organou, hlpize thn apokrupsin tou egklhmatos. Tw onti h Amersa, enw to aima erreen hdh ek ths plhghs ths, vlepousa oti e3 apantos tha pareviazeto h thura, ek palaias lepths sanidos, m' eskwriasmenous surtas kai mandala, shedon lipothumousa hdh, ekupse kai anelave thn mahairan. Eita esurthh mehri ths gwnias opou hto mikra templa, htoi swros ek diplwmenwn sindonwn, proskefalwn kai strwmnwn. Ekrupse thn aimatwmenhn mahairan katwthen olou autou tou swrou twn othoniwn, etulihthh auth me palaion, emvalwmenon, alla katharon paplwma, k' ekathisen apanw eis ton hamhlon swron, ostis evuthisthh akomh hamhlotera. Efere thn aristeran heira eis thn mashalhn ths, k' eprospathei na stamathsh to aima. Parado3ws den eihe deiliasei otan eihen idei to aima, an kai prwthn foran ths sunevaine to pathhma. To olon ths efaineto ws oneiron. Monon esfigge tous odontas kai hporei pws den hsthaneto akomh ponon. Alla met' oliga deuterolepta, hsthanthh o3eian alghdona. Thn idian stigmhn, h thura evuthisthh pros ta esw. O eis hwrofula3 eisephdhse meta krotou eis to patwma.

33 H Amersa den aneshkwse thn kefalhn, ekupte, kai hto tuligmenh ews thn muthn eis to paplwma. Pou ein' autos, o skias? ekra3en apeilhtikws o hwrofula3. H Amersa den aphnthsen. O stratiwtikos, ostis den eihen antilhfthh oute thn fughn tou Mourou, oute thn anatrophn kai ptwsin tou idiou sustratiwtou tou, isws dioti h stigmh ekeinh sunepesen akrivws me thn paraviasin ths thuras, kai o eis krotos epnige kai evwvaine ton allon, e3htasen olon ton prodomon opou eurisketo h Amersa, eita metevh dromaiws eis ton heimerinon thalamon, eita eis ton thalamiskon. Kanena den eure. Monon h klavanh hton anoikth. Meta mian stigmhn, anhrheto kai o deuteros omoskhnos tou. To 'stripse? Todwke ap' thn katarrhhwsh, hamou... Kai ton ehouia3es?... Den ton eprokames? Efaga katrapakia!... A! ma feugala... Efta milia thn wra!... Ah! ekamen o prwtos hwrofula3, kamptwn ton lihanon ths de3ias heiros, kai ferwn auton eis to stoma, ws dia na ton dagkash, meta seismatos viaiou ths kefalhs. Mas prepei gia na mas ta 3hlwsoune! O deuteros hwrofula3, thelwn na kamh ton austhron, apeteine ton logon pros thn korhn: Gia pou to 'vale o aderfos sou, mwrh? ths eipen. H Amersa den aphnthse. Plhn mesa ths me akousian eirwneian isws tha epsithurise me olon ton deinon ponon kai thn agwnian hn hsthaneto: Esu 3ereis. Ti kathesai autou, koritsi mou? eipen o hmerwteros o prwtos hwrofula3. Mh s' ehtuphse, tipota? H Amersa aneneuse. T' eihe kai s' ehaleue?... Gureue na se mahairwsh?

34 Giati fwna3es? prosethhken o deuteros. H Amersa aphnthsen eis thn erwthsin tou prwtou hwrofulakos: Ohi! Alhtheia, mh s' emahairwse? epemenen o anthrwpos. H Amersa me fusikhn epifwnhsin, eipen: O adelfos mou, thela me mahairwsh! Giati kathes' autou, ti eheis? Eisai arrwsth? Ehw thermh! H Amersa den eihen sullogisth oti to patwma, h kai h psatha, tha eihan isws khlidwthh me aima. Hdh eihe dusei o hlios, kai hto amfilukh entos ths oikias. Ektos toutou to meros opou eihe pesei h aimatwmenh mahaira, eurisketo thn stigmhn tauthn eis thn skian, opisthen ths monofullou thuras, anoikths kata ta duo trita, kai fthanoushs mehri tou toihou, wste oi duo andres den eidon tas khlidas tas eruthras. Giati eihes valei mia fwnh? epemenen o prwtos hwrofula3. Eiha ponon kai zalh, eipen h Amersa. Kai thn idian stigmhn, ws dia na epikurwthh o logos ths, ths hlthe pragmati lipothumia. Ekamen wh! sfiggousa tous odontas k' ekupse katw. Oi duo anthrwpoi ths e3ousias, sugkinhthentes, ekoitahthhsan, kai o prwtos eipe: Ma, pou ein' h manna ths? Ws upakouousa eis thn prosklhsin tauthn, efthase trehousa h Fragkogiannou. Na ekein' h gria, pou thn travh3' ap' ta mallia o guios ths, mes sto sokaki! eipen o deuteros hwrofula3. Eite prosethhke: Den m' kreneis, gerontissa, pou ein' o guiokas sou? H Fragkogiannou den aphnthse k' etre3e plhsion ths Amersas. Hto epithdeia iatrissa, kai hto ikanh na peripoihthh thn korhn ths.

35 * * * Ola tauta hrhonto suhna eis thn mnhmhn ths Amersas, k' epanhlthon akomh kai kata tas makras wras ths nuktos, tas esperinas kai orthrias, opote auth ehane ton upnon ths eis ton oikiskon, plhsion ths koimwmenhs Kriniws, ths mikras adelfhs, enw h mhthr twn apousa kata tas autas wras hgrupnei epi nuktas twra, eis ton thalamon ths lehous, eis thn oikian ths allhs, ths megalhs korhs ths, kai otan epestrepsen eis ton oikiskon meta thn nukterinhn e3odon, thn opoian eihen epiheirhsei, ws alafroiskiwth pou hton, kat' akolouthian tou oneirou ekeinou, eiden eis to amudron fws ths kandhlas, ths kaioushs empros eis thn mikran palaian kai maurismenhn eikona ths Panagias, eiden oti h mikra adelfh ths, to Kriniw, ekoimato akomh, kai den efaineto na eihe seisthh apo thn thesin ths. Monon, ama eishlthen h Amersa, h Kriniw, ws na hkouse ton mikron throun amudrws mesa eis ton upnon ths, ekinhthh hrema, estena3e, k' egurisen apo to allo pleuron, hwris allws na e3upnhsh. Alafroiskiwth! tw onti. H le3is thn opoian eihe proferei artiws h mhthr ths, ths epanhlthe pragmati eis ton noun, thn wran kath' hn, me to triton lalhma tou peteinou, epestrepsen eis thn oikian, plhsion ths koimwmenhs mikras adelfhs ths. All' hto ara auth pragmati alafroiskiwth? Auth ths opoias ta oneira, ai planai kai ai parakrouseis pollakis sunevh na shmainwsin, h na dhlwsi ti h n' afhnwsi parado3on entupwsin. Kai auta ta pseumata ths, osa elege, eginonto akousiai alhtheiai di' authn. Opws, fer' eipein, otan, meta to mahairwma to opoion eihen uposth apo ton adelfon ths, apantwsa eis tas etastikas erwthseistou hwrofulakos, elegen: Eiha pono kai zalh! Kai sughronws ama tw logw autw, ths hrheto alhthhs

36 lipothumia, wsei anwtera tis, daimonia thelhsis na hthele na kalupsh to pseudos ths. H Amersa, kateklithh ek neou plhsion ths adelfhs ths kai den ekoimhthh. Ai anamnhseis e3hkolouthoun na ths erhwntai, ragdaia, kaitoi oligwteron turannikai kai melanopteroi h oson eis thn mhtera ths. Kai kata tas makras ekeinas wras den epause n' analogizetai kath' eauthn thn tuhhn tou adelfou ths, tou Mourou, ostis eurisketo, twra eis to desmwthrion ths Halkidos. E' Ama aphlthen h Amersa, h Fragkogiannou, zarwmenh plhsion ths gwnias, meta3u ths estias kai tou liknou, ehasen ek neou ton upnon ths, kai hrhise na sunehizh tous pikrous kai porrw planwmenous dialogismous ths. Otan loipon e3eniteuthhsan eis thn Amerikhn oi duo megaluteroi uioi, kai h Delharw emegalwsen, anagkh hto auth h mhthr na frontish dia thn apokatastasin ths korhs, kathoti o gerwn, o Logariasmos, den dieprepen epi drasthriothti. Loipon h3eurei olos o kosmos ti shmainei mia mhthr na einai sughronws kai pathr dia tas koras ths, kai na mhn einai toulahiston mhte hhra. Ofeilei h idia kai na upandreush kai na proikish kai pro3enhtria kai pandrologissa na ginh. Ws anhr ofeilei na dwsh oikian, ampelon, agron, elaiwna, na daneisthh metrhta, na tre3h eis tou sumvolaiografou, na upothhkeush. Ws gunh, prepei na kataskeuash h na promhtheuthh proika, toutesti paraferna, htoi sindonas, hitwnia kenthta, meta3wtas esthhtas me hrusoufanta podoguria. Ws pro3enhtria prepei n' anihneush gamvron, na ton kunhghsh, na ton alieush, na ton zwgrhsh. Kai opoion gamvron!

37 Ena wsan ton Kwnstanthn, ostis erroghalize twra, peran tou mesotoihou, eis ton plaginon thalamiskon, anthrwpon spanon, aiskiwton, agarmpon. Kai o toioutos na ehh kapritsia, apaithseis, peismata shmeron na zhth touto kai aurion ekeino thn mian hmeran na zhth tosa, thn allhn perissotera kai suhna na ton vazoun sta logia alloi idioteleis h fthoneroi, n' akouh enteuthen k' ekeithen diavolas, radiourgias, manafoukia kai na mh thelh na tairiasthh. Kai na egkathistatai meta ton arravwna sths pentheras to spiti, kai na skarwnh e3afna prwimadi. Ki olon ton kairon kotta-pitta. Ki auton ton gamvron, me murious kopous, me anekdihghta vasana, molis, meta polun kairon, na ton peithh tis na stefanwthh epi telous. K' h nufh na kamarwnh, ferousa stolismon polutelh, karpon pollhs nhsteias kai oikonomias, k' h nufh na mhn ehh pleon mesh, dia n' anadeiknuetai to palai liguron anasthma ths. Kai treis mhnas meta ton gamon na genna korhn meta tria akomh eth enan uion meta duo eth palin korhn authn thn neogennhton, harin ths opoias hgrupnei twra tosas nuktas h ghraia mammh. Kai di' ol' auta ta thugatria na mellh na upoferh h mhthr twn tosa ki alla tosa ki alla tosa, apo osa ehei upoferei h manna ths di' authn. Emeinen h kahmenh, h androkorh, h Amersa, anupandrh (as ehh thn euhhn ths). Eide thn gluka. Tw onti, fronimh nea. Ti th' aphlauen apo ta vasana tou kosmou? Kai out' ezhleue kan! Ti na zhlepsh? Evlepe thn megalhn adelfhn ths kai thn elupeito thn ekaieto. Oson dia thn mikran, thn Kriniw, ampote ki authn o Theos na thn fwtish! Opws kai an ehh, h manna ths den ehei skopon den vasta pleon, den antehei na upoferh dia na thn upandreush kai to pollosthmorion oswn dia thn megalhn adelfhn ths upefere. Alla sas erwtw, eprepe pragmati na gennwntai tosa korasia? Kai an gennwntai,

38 a3izei ton kopon n' anatrefwntai? Den einai, elegen h Fragkogiannou, den einai haros, den einai vrahos? Kalutera na mh swnoun na pane parapanw. Sa s' akouw geitonissa! Megalhn kai ieran anakoufisin hsthaneto h polupathhs gunh, otan sunevaine, meta ths mikras pomphs tou ierews, proporeuomenou tou Staurou, n' akolouthh vastazousa eis tas heiras ths h idia, ws fileusplaghnos kai sumponetikh opou hton, to en eidei liknou mikron feretron. Proepempe to thugatrion mias geitonissas, h makrinhs suggenous, mehri tou tafou. Den hmporouse na katalamvanh ti emormurizen o iereus maswn tas le3eis me tous odontas tou. Ouden esti patros sumpathesteron, ouden esti mhtros athliwteron... Pollakis gar tou mnhmatos emprosthen tous mastous sugkrotousi kai legousin W uie mou kai teknon glukutaton, ouk akoueis mhtros sou ti ftheggetai? Idou kai h gasthr h vastasasa se. Ina ti ou laleis ws elaleis hmin. Allhlouia! Kai palin. W teknon, tis pote mh thrhnhsei vlepwn sou to emfanes, proswpon eumaranton, to prin ws rodon terpnon! Alla megalws eufraineto otan h mikra pomph, meta deka leptwn ths wras dromon efthanen eis ta Mnhmouria. Wraia e3ohh, pantotinh anoi3is, thallousa vlasth, agrioloulouda, emurize khpos. Idou o perivolos twn nekrwn! W! o Paradeisos, ap' auton ton kosmon hdh, hnoige tas pulas dia na dehthh to mikron akakon plasma, to opoion hutuhhse na lutrwsh tous goneis tou apo tosa vasana. Harhte, aggeloudia, pou petate gurw-trigurw me ta ftera sas ta hrusoleuka, kai seis, psuhai twn Agiwn, upodehthhte to! Otan epestrefen eis thn nekrwsimon oikian h graia Hadoula, dia na pareurethh thn esperan eis thn parhgorian, parhgorian kammian den euriske na eiph, monon hto harwph olh k' emakarizen to athwon vrefos kai tous goneis tou. Kai h luph hto hara, kai h thanh hto zwh, kai ola hsan alla e3 allwn.

39 A! idou... Kanen pragma den einai akrivws o,ti fainetai, alla pan allo mallon to enantion. Afou h luph einai hara, kai o thanatos einai zwh kai anastasis, tote kai h sumfora eutuhia einai kai h nosos ugieia. Ara olai ai mastiges ekeines, ai kata to fainomenon toson ashhmoi, osai therizoun ta awra vrefh, h eulogia k' h ostrakia k' h diftheritis, kai allai nosoi, den einai mallon eutuhhmata, den einai thwpeumata kai plhgmata twn pterwn twn mikrwn Aggelwn, oitines hairoun eis tous ouranous otan upodehwntai tas psuhas twn nhpiwn? Kai hmeis oi anthrwpoi, en th tuflwsei mas, nomizomen tauta ws dustuhhmata, ws plhgas, ws kakon pragma. Kai hanoun ton noun twn oi talaipwroi goneis, kai plhrwnoun toson akriva tous hmiagurtas iatrous kai ta triwvolimaiafarmaka, dia na swsoun to paidi tous. Den upopteuontai oti, otan nomizoun oti swzoun, tote pragmati hanoun to teknion. Kai o Hristos eipen, opws eihen akousei h Fragkogiannou na ths e3hgh o pneumatikos ths, oti opoios agapa thn psuhhn tou, tha thn hash, ki opoios misei thn psuhhn tou, eis zwhn aiwnion tha thn fula3h. Den eprepe tw onti, an den hsan tufloi oi anthrwpoi, na vohthoun thn mastiga, thn dia pterwn Aggelwn plhttousan, anti na zhtoun na thn e3orkisoun? All' idou, t' Aggeloudia den merolhptoun oute harizontai, kai pairnoun adiakritws eis ton Paradeison agoria kai korasia. Perissotera malista agoria posa hadeumena kai monahogennhta! apothnhskoun awra. Ta koritsia ein' eftapsuha, efronei h graia. Duskolws arrwstoun kai spaniws apothnhskoun. Den eprepen hmeis ws kaloi hristianoi, na vohthwmen to ergon twn Aggelwn? W, posa agoria, kai arhontopoula malista, arpazontai awra. Akomh kai t' arhontokoritsa eukolwteron apothnhskoun an kai toson spania meta3u tou fulou par' oson ta apeirarithma thhluka ths ftwhologias.

40 Ta koritsia ths ta3ews tauths einai ta mona eftapsuha! Fainontai ws na plhthunwntai epithdes, dia na kolazoun tous goneis twn, ap' auton ton kosmon hdh. A! oson to sullogizetai kaneis, pshlwnei o nous tou! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thn stigmhn ekeinhn, arhise to thugatrion na vhhh kai na klauthmurizh. H graia afou eihe sullogisthh ola t' anwterw, oson kai an eihen e3afthh apo ta kumata twn anamnhsewn, hsthanthh aifnhs zalhn, apo ton salon oionei kai thn nautian ths zwhs ths kai arhise na narkwnetai, k' enustazen akrathtws. To mikron korasion evhhe k' eklaie k' ethoruvei ws na hton megalos anthrwpos. H mammh tou eskirthsen, estrafh, k' ehane palin ton upnon ths. H lehwna ekoimato vathews, kai oute hkouse ton vhha kai ta klaumata. H graia hnoi3e vlosura ommata, k' ekame heironomian anupomonhsias kai apeilhs. E! tha skashs? eipe. Ths Fragkogiannous arhise pragmati na pshlwnh o nous ths. Eihe paralogisei epi telous. Epomenon hto, dioti eihen e3arthh eis anwtera zhthmata. Eklinen epi tou liknou. Ehwse tous duo makrous, sklhrous daktulous mesa eis to stoma tou mikrou, dia na to skash. H3euron oti den hto toson sunhtheia na skazoun ta polu mikra paidia. All' eihe paralogisei pleon. Den enoei kala ti ekamne, kai den wmologei eis eauthn ti hthele na kamh. Kai pareteine to skasimon epi makron eita e3agousa tous daktulous ths apo to mikron tou opoiou eihe koph h anapnoh, edra3en e3wthen ton laimon tou vrefous, kai ton esfig3en ep' oliga deuterolepta. Auto hto olon.

41 H Fragkogiannou den eihen enthumhthh thn stigmhn ekeinh to oneiron ths Amersas, to opoion auth elthousa pro mias wras, meta3u tou deuterou kai tou tritou lalhmatos tou peteinou, eihe dihghthh eis thn mhtera ths! Eihe pshlwsei o nous ths! ST' Afou h Amersa eihe hasei ton upnon ths, meta thn epanodon ek ths oikias ths lehwnas kai eihe plagiasei palin, hwris na koimhthh, eis to plagi ths mikras adelfhs ths, epi makron e3hkolouthhse na skeptetai kai palin ton adelfon ths, ton dustuhh kai enohon ekeinon. Ektote, meta to phdhma apo ths klavanhs kai thn apodrasin tou, den ton eihen idei pleon. Oi hwrofulakes ton katezhtoun epi hmeras, all' oudamou ton euron. Euthus tote meta tas erwthseis twn hwrofulakwn, eis tas opoias aphnthsen opws aphnthsen h Amersa, ama efthasen h mhthr eis thn oikian, hure thn korhn tuligmenhn eis to paplwma, katw neuousan, kai polu hlwmhn ek ths lipothumias thn opoian eihe ferei h roh tou aimatos. Eis thn erwthsin tou enos hwrofulakos, ekeinou ton opoion eihe anatrepsei feugwn o Mouros, ", ' ", den eihen apanthsei h Fragkogiannou. All' o allos, ostis efaineto anthrwpinwteros, me hremon tonon eipe: Koita3e, kura, ti eh' h korh sou. Mas leei pws einai arrwsth. Arrwsth einai! pws na mhn einai! aphnthse meth' etoimothtos h Fragkogiannou. Ephre fri3h ap' ta kamwmata ekeinou tou

42 prokommenou, tou guiou mou... Koita3te, paidia!... anisws ton piasete, na mhn ton turagnhsete polu... Ton eides pouthena na trehh? Kata pou ekame? Ton eid' ap' alarga!... Ekame kata ta Phgadia, pera st' Alwnia. H Fragkogiannou epseudeto dipla. Den eihen idei ton Mouron, all' hto vevaia oti autos tha etraph kata thn dieuthunsin thn antitheton hs auth elege, kata ta Kotrwnia, anwthen ths oikias, pros anatolas, ekei opou hton mathhmenos ap' ta mikra tou hronia na kunhga tis koukouvagies. Oi duo andres aphlthon dromaioi. O eis, feugwn, erripse teleutaion filupopton vlemma opisw dia ths hmianoikths thuras. H Hadoula ekleise thn thuran. Sughronws de hnoi3e to parathuron. M' emahairwse, manna! estena3e meta ponwn h Amersa, aisthantheisa to reuma tou aeros to eisreusan dia tou anoihthentos parathurou plhsion ths, kai sunelthousa ek ths lipothumias. Sughronws de aperripse to paplwma, k' efanh aimatwmenh h fanela thn opoian eforei e3wthen tou upokamisou. W! ah! o fonias!... o Theos k' h ghs na ton eurh! kathrasthh idousa to aima h manna ths. Kai arhise na psauh thn korhn, kai na zhth na stamathsh to aima, kai na epidesh thn plhghn. Afhrese thn fanelan, e3esure thn herida tou upokamisou, k' efanh o de3ios vrahiwn ths Amersas, ishnos kai upwhros alla kalodemenos kai neurwdhs. To trauma hto mallon epipolaion, all' ouh htton to aima erree. H Hadoula meteheiristhh o,ti ishaimon egnwrizen, isws ton aimostathn an eihe, k' epedese thn plhghn. Met' oligon epause to aima. H Amersa eihen adunathsei opwsoun, all' hto ishura, tharralea kai den efoveito. Pragmati met' oligas hmeras, haris eis tas frontidas ths mhtros ths, epoulwthh to trauma.

43 H Fragkogiannou pote den tha ekalei ton iatron. Den hthele na gnwsthh oti o uios ths eihe mahairwsei thn adelfhn tou. Eis olas tas kalothelhtrias meta3u twn geitonisswn, osai thn hrwtwn, pote meta prospoihths aganakthsews, pote meta gelwtos veviasmenou, diepseusen oti o Mouros eihe traumatisei thn korhn ths. Endiefereto pro pantwn na mathh an o Mihalhs tha eglutwnen apo tas heiras twn hwrofulakwn, kai as ephgainen eis to eleos tou Theou! Tw onti, met' oligas hmeras evevaiwthh oti o uios ths emvarkarise krufa thn nukta, me en ploion, ws nauths, k' efugen apo thn nhson. O grammateus tou Limenarheiou hton volikos kai kaloproairetos anthrwpos, kai den edistase na ton nautologhsh. Hto de tote o Mouros shedon eikosaeths, h de Amersa hto molis dekaepta etwn. Parhlthe hronos ewsotou h oikogeneia lavh eidhseis peri tou fugados. Telos, meta etos kai pleon, hkousthh mia aoristos fhmh, oti o Mwros diepra3e fonon entos tou ploiou, me to opoion armenize. Ai adelfai tou, otan to hkousan, eis ton kosmon eipan oti den h3euroun tipote, kai olopsuhws huhonto na hto pseudhs h fhmh. All' h mhthr endomuhws episteuen eis to alhthes ths eidhsews. Oligas hmeras usteron, elavon epistolhn ferousan thn tahudromikhn sfragida Halkidos. O Mihalhs egrafen apo twn eirktwn ths polews ekeinhs. Kata shhma prwthusteron, e3etragwdei en prwtois ta vasana tou kai ta pathh tou eis ta voudroumia tou venetikou frouriou. Eita, meta suntrivhs kardias, alla me diforoumenas fraseis kai oionei meta3u twn grammwn, e3wmologeito oti isws na efoneuse pragmati ton anthrwpon, ton gero-Portaithn, ton lostromon tou ploiou, alla hwris kala na to ennohsh, kai hwris na to thelh. (Pragmati, den tha hthele na ton eihe foneusei). O ehthros ton evalen, autos den eptaie tipote, to foniko egine ston kaugan epanw. Autos eihen eurethh eis vrasmon psuhhs. Apedeihthh malista oti h mahaira

44 hton tou pathon. Isws na eihen apospasei, alla den enthumeito pws, thn mahairan apo thn meshn tou thumatos. Autos episteuen oti tou thn eihen arpasei mallon apo thn heira. Eita kai palin epanhrheto eis ta vasana tou, osa upefere duo mhnas twra, eis tas fulakas. Akolouthws epekaleito thn filostorgian ths mhtros tou, kai thn e3wrkize na shkwthh, to dihws allo na pah na vrh thn Portaitina, thn hhran tou foneuthentos kai thn thugateran tou, kai na tas parakalesh meta dakruwn, na kamh nomo-tropo, na tas kataferh opws ai idiai zhthsoun thn athwwsin tou fonews! Na shkwthhs, manna, na mparkarhs, na pas pera, sthn Platana, na thn perikaleshs, thn Portaitina, ws kathws kai thn korh ths, thn Karikleia, na tis kataferhs na zhthsoun na vgw athwos, k' egw na ginw paidi tous, na parw kai thn Karikleia gunaika mou, hwris proika, kai na zhsoume kala ki agaphmena oloi mas... Kai na doun pws egw tha thn agapw, thn Karikleia, kai pws tha thn ehw thn pethera mou, na douleuw sa sklavos na tis zwothrefw, me polla kala, giati egw eimai a3ios kai mporw na vgalw lepta.... Perainwn o foneus, epanhrheto ek tritou eis ta vasana tou, kai upesheto oti, ama e3elthh twn fulakwn, tha ferh polla wraia pragmata kai stolidia, dia na proikish tas duo adelfas tou, akomh kai koukles kai paignidia dia ta mikra korasia ths megalhs adelfhs tou, ths Delharws. Loipon den einai parado3on an h Fragkogiannou den edistasen. Ehrewthh oliga hrhmata, dousa enehuron o,ti ashmikon eihe, k' emvarkarise, k' eperase pera eis thn antikrinhn nhson, eis to hwrion Platanan, k' ephge na eurh thn Portaitainan. Alla parado3on einai oti, me thn euglwttian ths thn peripathh, me thn stwmulian ths thn gunaikeian, me ta hilia pseumata osa h3euren hto de tote h Fragkogiannou 55 etwn, all' akmaia gunh kai me zwhrous harakthras katwrthwse na peish thn graian, thn hhran tou foneuthentos

45 (shmeiwsate oti h mhthr kai h korh edwkan kai 3enian akomh eis thn mhtera tou fonews), na thn peish, legw, katavallousa ta e3oda tou ta3idiou auth, n' apelthwsin omou eis thn Halkida, me skopon na energhswsin apo koinou plhsion ths Eisaggelias, tou Dikasthriou kai twn Enorkwn uper ths apallaghs h ths athwwsews tou upodikou. Oson afora thn korhn, thn Karikleian, auth edhlwsen oti ekdikhsin den epizhtei, epeidh o pateras ths den erhetai pisw, monon pote den tha thelhsh ton fonea ws andra ths protima na menh anupandrh eis ton aiwna. Ephgan omou, ai duo graiai, k' emeinan eis Halkida treis mhnas, katoikousai eis trwglhn, eis ena tourkospiton konta eis ta Evraiika, para thn Anw Pulhn tou frouriou. Kai kathhmerinws h Hadoula ephgainen eis tas eirktas, tas prwinas wras, kata thn e3odon twn fulakismenwn, sunodeuomenh sunhthws apo thn Portaitainan, htis omws ekathhto antikru ths eirkths k' eperimene, mh thelousa na idh kata proswpon ton fonea. Dierhomenai e3w apo ton megan kai akompson palaion naon ths Agias Paraskeuhs, ekamnan ton stauron twn, kai h mhthr eferen eis ton upodikon simithia kai suka kai sardeles, kai kapnon dia thn pipan tou. Kai mesa eis thn vatheian tsephn tou foustaniou ths, krufa, eihe hwmenhn mikran fialida me rwmi h raki, pros parhgorian tou fulakismenou. Alla dis h tris ths evdomados dia ths Anw Pulhs tou frouriou e3hrhonto k' evlepan kremamena ekei, eis ton skoteinon pulwna, thn knhmhn tou Ellhnos gigantos, kai to tsarouhi tou, terastiou megethous, epifulattomenai, otan tha epanekampton me to kalon eis thn patrida, na dihgwntai k' ai duo to pragma eis ta eggonia twn. Eita dihuthunonto kata thn sunoikian Souvalan, h kata ton Agion Dhmhtrion, k' epeskeptonto ton Eisaggelea, ostis dia tou grafews tou tas

46 apediwke, kai tous dikastas, oitines eniote katedehonto na gelwsi mazi twn. Telos otan wristhh h dikh, ezhthsan na plhsiasoun tous enorkous, oitines eihon elthei, alloi foustanelades, apo ta oreina hwria, alloi vrakades, apo tas nhsous kai ta parathalassia. H Fragkogiannou upesheto hiliwn logiwn dwra eis olous, kai tha hton ikanh na ta dwsh, an eihe moshata krasia, wraia ladia kehrimpari, astakooures, pasta kefalopoula, augotaraha, 3erohtapoda, eklekta suka, kai pan o,ti hdunato na paragh h nhsos ths. Eis ena twn enorkwn, anthrwpon kitrinon kai vhhonta, ostis efaineto na pashh, upeshethh auth na ton iatreush, m' ena mantzouni pou h3euren. Ol' auta den ishusan, kai o foneus katedikasthh eis eikosaeth desma. Enauaghsan ola ta shedia, ws kai auth h sumpetheria meta3u ths mhtros tou fonews kai ths hhras tou thumatos. Twra anagkh hto na epistrepswsin eis thn patrida, alla ta oliga hrhmata twn eihon e3antlhthh, kai osa eihon komisei meth' eauton kai osa eihe steilei en tw meta3u h Amersa 3enodouleuousa kai ufainousa eis thn patrida. Afou h Fragkogiannou mathn parekalesen osa ploia evlepen etoimazomena na pleuswsi pros ton Maliakon kolpon h pros thn Istiaian, na paralavwsin toulahiston thn Portaitainan, ws gerontoteran kai asthenesteran auth dia ton eauton ths eihe to shedion ths otan eiden oti oi diaforoi kuvernhtai aphtoun ohi monon ton naulon, alla na ehh kai trofima h epivatis, kai an thn afhnan eis thn Stulida h tous Wreous, as kamh kala na eurh ploion dia thn patrida ths e3emusthreuthh to shedion ths eis thn Portaitainan. Egw, eipen, eimai ikanh na paw steria, me ta podaria mou, apodw ws thn Agian Anna lene pws einai duo meres dromos k' ekei tha vroume to tahuplo, to diko mas pou tha mas gnwrish o kapetan Petserelos, o tahudromos, kai tha mas parh. Ta e3oda mou sto dromo tha ta

47 oikonomhsw mazeuontas votana, hortaria, ki agriolahana, ki opoia hristianh vrw k' ehh to paidi ths arrwsto, h ton andra ths, tha ths kamw pseutogiatrika na vohthhsw ton anthrwpo ths, na thn upohrewsw... Mporeis esu? Vastoun ta kotsia sou? Ti tha kamw? mporw, den mporw, aphnthsen h Portaitaina. Kalutera na pame suntrofia, opws hrthame. K' e3ekinhsan. H Hadoula ekamen opws eipe, monon pws argoporhsan perissoteron eis ton dromon, eneka ths vraduporias ths Portaitainas. K' epetuhe malista uper tas elpidas ths. Otan, meta mian evdomada, efthasen eis thn patrida, eihe kai perriseuma apo thn epiheirhsin. Eferen eis thn oikian ths, e3 oswn ths edidon di' amoivhn twn ekdouleusewn ths, enan sakkon me siton, ws mian okan turiou, duo ornithas, ena mallino hrami, to opoion ths eharisan, kai oligas drahmas metrhta. Ek toutwn eplhrwse gennaiofronws kai to naulon ths Portaitainas, dia na upagh ki auth eis thn estian ths. Ola tauta ta enthumeitai kalws h Amersa, epeidh h manna ths den eihe pausei na ta dihghtai ektote. Twra, eihon parelthei dwdeka eth, o adelfos ths eurisketo akomh eis tas fulakas, o pathr ths pro pollou eihen apothanei, o Statharos ki o Gialhs den epanhlthon pote apo thn Amerikhn, o mikros o Giwrgakhs k' ekeinos eihe parei megala pelaga, h Kriniw ki auth eihe megalwsei, h Delharw eihe gennhsei kai palin korhn, ki auth, h Amersa, eihe meinei gerontokorh. Z' Akra sigh kai hsuhia epekrathsen entos tou skoteinou thalamou, meta ton teleutaion vhha kai ton klauthmurismon tou thugatriou, ta opoia toson apotomws diekophsan. H Fragkogiannou eihe kupsei to

48 proswpon ths, kai eihe sthri3ei me tas duo heiras to metwpon, kai eihe pausei na skeptetai. Ths efaineto oti den ezh pleon. Oute h pnoh ths hkoueto. Pas thoruvos eihe pausei. Oute flo3 evremen eis thn estian, oute vomvos hkoueto, kai to hmikauston fitilion tou luhnou efegge thliverws. H mikra kandhla pro pollou eihe svhsei eis to eikonostasion, kai ai morfai twn agiwn den efainonto pleon. Aifnhs h lehwna e3upnhse meta tinagmou, en mesw, ths akras hremias. T' einai manna? eipe. H mhthr ths vlosura, kai ws en frenapath, thn ekoita3en eis to fws tou luhnariou. T' einai! eipe, tipota. 3upnhses? Mou fanhke pws kati eipes... pws m' efwna3es, mes ston upno mou. Egw?... ohi. T' autia sou kamane. Ti wra na einai, manna? Ti wra? 3erw 'gw?... Toses fores lalhse kai 3analalhse t' ornithi. Kai su den ekoimhthhs, manna? Ehortasa ton upno kala... Truphse to pleuro mou, eipen h Fragkogiannou, htis den eihe kleisei omma. Opou einai tha fe3h. H lehwna ehasmhthh, k' ekame to shmeion tou staurou epi tou stomatos. Sughronws de upswse to vlemma pros to mikron eikonostasion, to opoion antikruzen. Ehei svhsei to kanthli, manna den to anaves? Den to agroikhsa, thugatera, eipen h graia ekoimwmoun vathia. Kai to paidi koimatai, vlepw, hsuha. Pws to 'pathe? Hsuhase ki auto twra plia, eipen h graia. K' emena mou ponei to vuzi mou, eipen h lehw arhise na katevazh polu twra. Hthela na hton 3upnhto na to vuzaina. E! ti na ginh...Tha vroume kanena paidi, eipen h graia.

49 Ti les, manna? H graia den aphnthsen. Hthele kati na eiph. Den h3eure ti na eiph. Den kaneis ton kopo n' anapshs to kanthli, manna? An thelhs, shkwsou su ki anapse to den ehw heria... Pws! Piasthke plia to heraki mou. Ti les? Se kalo sou, manna egw pou den ehw parei euhh, kanei n' anapsw to kanthli? Thn stigmhn ekeinhn, kathws eipe piasthke to heraki mou, epanhlthen prwthn foran eis ton noun ths graias to oneiron ths Amersas. Den hdunhthh na kraththh, kai epni3en eis ta sththh ths vathun lugmon. Ti eheis, manna? Kai h lehw ephdhse katw apo thn hamhlhn klinhn. Den einai kala to paidi? Fwnai kai sparagmos kai klaumata hkousthhsan. H mhthr euriske to thugatrion ths nekron entos tou liknou. Apo ton thoruvon, e3upnhsen eis to diplanon hwrisma o Kwnstanths, ostis eihe hortasei kala ton upnon. T' einai? ekra3e trivwn tous ofthalmous. Ehasmhthh, etanusthh, etinahthh, k' etre3en eis thn thuran tou thalamou. Vre! ti kanete seis?... Tha shkwsete ton kosmo sto podari...Mhgaris mas afhnete, mparem, na paroum' ena upno ap' tis fwnes sas? Kaneis den aphnthsen eis tas diamarturias tou Kwnstanth. H suzugos tou ekupte, pnigousa tous lugmous ths, epi tou liknou. H penthera tou ekathhto, sunaptousa tas heiras, ainigmatwdhs, sfiggousa tous odontas, me aplanes to vlemma. Meta ton prwton akousion lugmon ths, den eihen ekvalei pleon allhn fwnhn.

50 Ti! ...pethane to paidi? Vre!...ekamen o Kwnstanths, meinas me anoikton to stoma. Eita prosethhke: Gia touto evlepa kati anapoda oneira, zavale!... H Delharw, anakupsasa pros stigmhn apo tou liknou, sunehousa tous lugmous ths, eipe: Manna, den tha ferhs ta rouhakia tou, na t' alla3oume?... Pou ein' h Amersa? H Fragkogiannou den aphnthse. Pou einai h Amersa, manna? epanelave, psausasa ton agkwna ths mhtros ths h Delharw. H Fragkogiannou anetinahthh ws na thn ethi3en akantha h kentron narkhs. H Amersa, pou einai? sto spiti mas... aphnthse. Den eihen erthei 'dw h Amersa? Mou fanhke pws akousa th fwnh ths mes ston upno mou, eipen h lehwna. As pah na thn fwna3h, eipen h graia, neuousa me ton kanthon tou ommatos thspros ton gamvron ths. Kwnstanth, pas na fwna3hs thn Amersa? eipen h lehw pros ton suzugon ths. Paw. Akous, leei!... Wh! krima, zavale!... Kala pou to vaftisame kiolas. O Ntanths ekupsen eis to patwma tou mikrou prodomou eis to skotos, pshlafwn na eurh ta paliopapoutsa tou na ta foresh. Ekamne mikron thoruvon, krouwn diafora zeugh palaiwn tsokarwn pros allhla kai epi twn sanidwn tou patwmatos. Pou einai ta paliokatsaria mou? eipe. Telos eforesen en zeugos pathmenwn gunaikeiwn emvadwn, tas opoias eure, kai aitines ekalupton monon tous daktulous twn podwn

51 kai meros tou tarsou, afhnousai e3w olhn thn pternan. Allon thoruvon ekame dia n' anoi3h thn thuran, mh euriskwn eis to skotos ton surthn oute to mandalon. Afou hnoi3e thn thuran, epanhlthen aifnhs opisw. Akous, Delharw, eipe, ths Amersas monaha na pw na 'rthh kai to Kriniw mazi? Ti les esu, pethera? Kai h Fragkogiannou anupomonos: Phgaine twra, ti ferneis guro? As erthh opoios erthh! H Delharw ethrhnei hrema kuptousa epi tou liknou. O Ntanths prin e3elthh, erripse vlemma eis to liknon kai eis thn suzugon tou. Ah! krima, zavale! eipe... K' evlepa kati oneira!... vre paidia! K' e3hlthe dromaios. H' Thn evdomada twn Vaiwn, mian prwian, aphlthen h Fragkogiannou olomonahh eis thn e3ohhn, pros ths Mamous to rema. Hthele na episkefthh ton mikron elaiwna, ton opoion ws psuhomoiri eihe lavei apo mian euporon opwsoun koumparan ths, apothanousan aklhron, kai eis thn opoian eihe prosferei ekdouleuseis. To hmisu tou elaiwnos toutou eihe dwsei ws proika eis thn Delharw, to allo hmisu kateihen akomh h graia. Oligai evdomades eihon parelthei apo ta gegonota ta opoia dihghthhmen. Oudeis dusanalogos thoruvos eihe ginei dia to mikron thugatrion ths Delharws ths Trahhlainas, to opoion ethapsan thn authn hmeran. H mhthr tou vrefous, an kai eide ta melana tina shmeia peri ton laimon tou mikrou paidiou, den tha etolma pote na kamh logon, oute

52 allos tha episteue to egklhma ths mhtros ths. Profanws to paidion eihen apothanei apo ton kokkithn. O monos iatros, ostis uphrhen apo hronwn eis to hwrion, o filanthrwpos Vauaros V., etuhen apwn. Eihen akousthh kai palin holera eis thn Aigupton, kai to upourgeion twn Eswterikwn sunhthize n' apostellh kat' ekloghn ton iatron touton eis thn dieuthunsin tou en Dhlw loimokatharthriou. Ant' autou h Kuvernhsis eihe steilei proswrinws ws ugeionomon ghraion tina iatron, ton k. M., ostis den eihe fthasei akomh. En tw meta3u uphrhen eis apofoitos ths iatrikhs, diatrivwn en th nhsw. Outos klhtheis upo ths dhmotikhs astunomias opws vevaiwsh ton thanaton, ekoita3en epipolaiws to proswpon tou nekrou vrefous, pareponethh diati na mhn ton fwna3oun enosw touto ezh k' edwke to entafiasthrion, grapsas ek spasmwdous vhhos. H graia Hadoula apo ths hmeras ekeinhs ezhse zwhn tupsewn, anhsuhias, kai m' e3wterikon shhma ws na eihe tefran epi ths komhs ths psaras, toson elafrws kupthn kai akinhton ethrei thn kefalhn ths, kai ws na eforei thn makran maurhn mandhlan ths ws sakkon metanoias. Otan emvhken h Megalh Sarakosth, arhise na suhnazh eis thn ekklhsian, ekamne pollas kai vatheias gonuklisias, emeleta na e3omologhthh, kai anevallen. Enhsteuen aneu elaiou 3hrofagousa tas pente hmeras ekasths evdomados, kai eihe vasta3ei trimero thn prwthn evdomada kai to mesosarakoston. Entrepeto na vleph thn korh ths, thn Delharw, kai apefeuge n' antikrush to vlemma ths. Thn hmeran loipon ekeinhn, ths evdomadas twn Vaiwn, efthasen h Fragkogiannou lian prwi eis thn korufhn tou upshlou petrwdous lofou, tou antikruzontos ek dusmwn thn polihnhn, kai opothen melagholikon piptei to vlemma epi tou mikrou koimhthriou, aploumenou katw, epi upshlhs thalassoplhktou lwridos ghs, me ta leuka mnhmata,

53 kai euthus feugei zhtoun faidrothta kai zwhn eis ta galana kumata, eis to eurun triploun limena, kai eis ta hloera, harienta nhsidia, ta frattonta touton e3 anatolwn kai meshmvrias. Epanw ths korufhs ekeinhs istato erhmikon, apopton, ws fanos thn hmeran lampwn, to e3wkklhsion tou Agiou Antwniou. H Fragkogiannou dihlthen e3wthen, poiousa to shmeion tou Staurou, k' enw eihe skopon na eiselthh, thn teleutaian stigmhn edistase, k' e3hkolouthhse ton dromo ths. Den eimai a3ia, eipe mesa ths, na mpw s' ena 3wkklhsi pou toso suhna leitourgietai... As paw kalutera ston Ai-Giannh ton Krufo. Meta touto efthase eis ton elaiwna, epethewrhsen en pros en ola ta elaiodendra dia na idh an hsan foukwmena hdh. Hto hdh pros ta mesa Apriliou, to de Pasha hrheto opsimon. Parekalei mesa ths ton Hriston na dwsh ladaki, gia n' anapleps' h ftwheia. Apo duo etwn, tw onti, den eihan karpisei oi elies, eihe de anafanh kai mia upoulos astheneia, ftheirousa ton karpon, kai maurizousa tous klwnas twn dendrwn. Afou emeinen ep' oligon eis ton elaiwna, eshkwthh, strefousa pollakis thn kefalhn opisw, ws dia n' apohairetish ta elaiodendra kai apemakrunthh. Efthase katw eis to reuma kai hrhise na to anerhetai, kathws pollakis sunhthize. Ferousa to kalathion ths upo ton aristeron agkwna, kratousa to mahairaki ths me thn heira thn de3ian, ekupte pantou, eis osa merh auth egnwrize k' epsahne na eurh kaukalhthreskai zohariakai muroniakai anhthon dia na gemish to kalathaki ths, na kamh pittan to Savvaton tou Lazarou, na fagh auth k' ai thugateres ths, alla na prosferh k' eis tis geitonisses, apo tas opoias hasimon den eihen. Ektos twn agriolahanwn toutwn, ta opoia olai egnwrizon na sullegoun, h Hadoula h3euren alla votana, hrhsima ws farmaka dia tous astheneis, to trimero, kai thn drakontiakai thn agriokrommuda, anamesa eis tas komarouskai tas pteridas, kai para tas rizas twn

54 agriwn dendrwn, kai tous mukhtas kai tas akanthas kai tas knidas, kathws kai to polutrihieis tous mikrous katarraktas tou reumatos to opoion legoun oti einai farmakon dia tas lehous tas puressousas. Afou sunele3en ikana votana kai ek tou eidous twn iamatikwn toutwn, ta opoia etuli3en eis hwriston mandhli entos tou kalathiou, kai h wra eklinen hdh pros to deilinon, kai o hlios eplhsiazen eis thn korufhn tou vounou entos tou reumatos vatheia hto h skia, kai o throus twn vhmatwn ths anthhei ws doupos sklhros eis to vathos ths psuhhs ths. H graia anhrheto hdh upshlotera, pros thn apotomon korufhn tou reumatos. Katw eharatteto vathu to potamion, t' Aheila to rema, kai olhn thn vatheian koilada meta hremou mormurismou dietrehe to reuma, kata to fainomenon akinhtoun, limnazon, alla pragmati aenaws kinoumenon upo tas makras vathukomous platanous anamesa eis vrua kai thamnous kai pteridas, efloisvize mustika, efilei tous kormous twn dendrwn, erpon ofioeidws kata mhkos ths koilados, prasinwpon apo tas antaugeias tas hloeras, filoun kai ama daknon tous vrahous kai tas rizas, nama mormuron, atholwton, vrithon apo mikra kavourakia, ta opoia etrehon na kruvwsin eis to tholwma ths ammou, ama kanen voskopoulon, afhnon tas oligas amnadas na voskoun eis thn droseran hlohn, hrheto na kupsh eis to reuma, kai aneshkwne petran tina dia na ta kunhghsh. To lalon, asighton keladhma twn kossufwn anthhei armonikon eis to dasos, to peristefon olhn thn dutikhn klitun, kai anerpon eis thn korufhn tou Anagurou, ews thn Aetofwlian epanw opou elegeto oti eis thalassaetos eihe katoikhsei epi treis geneas anthrwpwn ekei, kai telos e3elipe hwris n' afhsh aetopoula. Eis thn erhmwtheisan fwlean tou eurethh oloklhron mouseion apo terastia kokkala thalassiwn ofewn, fwkwn, karhariwn kai allwn enaliwn thhriwn, ta opoia eihe 3efantwsei kata kairous o megas kai krataios

55 ornis twn thalasswn, me to grupon ramfos tou to kuanwpon, kai me to tefron megaloprepes pterwma. Epanw, eis thn korufhn tou reumatos, eis ena zugon shhmatizomenon meta3u duo vounwn, anamesa eis tou Konomou ta roggiakai eis ton Mikron Anaguron, ekei eurisketo apo palaion kairon to arhaion, erhmon monudrion, o Ais Giannhs o Krufos. Hto pragmati krufos, keimenos opisthen tou mikrou auhenos, kaluptomenos apo ta duo vouna, kai apo puknhn lohmhn. Eite ek tou voreiou merous hrheto tis, opws twra h Fragkogiannou apo t' Aheila to rema, eite ek tou meshmvrinou, ek ths topothesias ths kaloumenhs tou Konomou ta roggia, kai an eggutata dihrheto plhsion tou palaiou sevasmatos, hto adunaton na upopteush thn upar3in tou, an den egnwrize kalws ta merh, opws ta egnwrizen h Fragkogiannou. O perivolos kai ta oliga kellia hsan ereipion apo pollou. O naiskos wrthouto akomh, all' hton erhmos kai aleitourghtos. To katholikon estegazeto akomh, all' eis to agion vhma h stegh eihe katarreusei pros to voreion, ai de plakes ths skephs kai ta suntrimmata eihon kalupsei to thusiasthrion uphrhe 3ulinon templon, palai pote glupton kai hruswmenon, eftharmenon kai dusgnwriston, all' ai eikones eleipon. Ai oligai toihografiai eihon ftharh apo thn ugrasian, kai ta proswpa twn Agiwn den diekrinonto pleon. Monon de3iothen tou horou uphrhe mia toihografia paristwsa ton Agion Iwannhn ton Prodromon marturounta ton Hriston Ide o Amnos tou theou, o airwn thn amartian tou kosmou. To proswpon kai h heir tou Vaptistou, teinomenh kai deiknuousa, diekrinonto opwsoun kalws. To proswpon tou Swthros lian amudrws efaineto epi tou ugrou toihou. Ton Ai-Giannhn ton Krufon epekalounto ton palaion kairon oloi osoi eihon krufon ponon h krufhn amartian. H graia Hadoula

56 egnwrize thn do3asian h to ethimon touto, kai dia touto enthumhthh na elthh shmeron eis ton palaion, erhmon naiskon, opws prosferh tas ikesias ths. Proekrine ton naon ton aleitourghton, afou kai eis thn enoriakhn ekklhsian, opou esuhnazen olhn thn sarakosthn, etolma monon na eiserhetai mallon eis ton narthhka, opisthen tou enos fullou ths gunaikeias pulhs, tou kleismenou me ton surthn ws na hsthaneto thn anagkhn na ein' etoimh pros fughn, ama thn ediwke tis! Kai den efoveito toson mh thn diw3h o Papanikolas, o austhros kai askhtikos efhmerios, h o kur Dhmhtros o epitropos, ostis pantote egogguze kai hto trahus pros tas graias, aitines epemenon mh thelousai n' anerhwntai eis ton gunaikwnithn, kai aphtoun na ehoun diarkws mikron, perifrakton me seiras stasidiwn diamerisma, eis thn voreiodutikhn gwnian tou naou all' efoveito ton Arhaggelon, ton agriwpon, ostis hto zwgrafismenos megalwsti epi ths voreias pulhs tou naou, me thn romfaian tou thn floginhn eis thn heira. Eishlthen eis ton erhmon naiskon, anapsen en khrion, to opoion eihen eis to kalathi ths mazi me oliga pureia, k' ekame treis strwtas gonuklisias empros eis thn toihografian thn hmieftharmenhn. Eita, anakuklousa eis ton noun thn emmonon idean, htis ths eihe kollhsei, hwris na thn ekfrazh megalofwnws, eipe me fwnhn, thn opoian tha hdunato n' akoush tis, an paristato martus ths skhnhs ekeinhs: An ekama kala, Ai-Giannh mou, na mou dwshs shmeio shmera... na kamw mia kalh pra3h, ena psuhiko, gia na galhnias' h psuhh mou k' h kardoula mou!... Th'

57 Afou eihe gemisei to kalathi ths, kai o hlios ekline polu hamhla, kathws e3hlthe tou erhmou naiskou, h graia Hadoula ekinhse na epistrepsh eis thn polihnhn. Kathlthe palin to rema-rema eis ta opisw, estrafh de3ia, arhise n' anhforizh pros ton lofon tou Ag. Antwniou, opothen eihen elthei. Monon prin fthash akomh eis thn korufhn tou lofou, ef' ou istatai to parekklhsion, kai opothen anoigetai megalh thea pros ton limena kai thn polin, eiden ekei de3ia ths hamhla eis to vathos mikras koilados, htis kaleitai ths Mamous to rema, kai temnei kat' amvleian gwnian thn allhn vatheian koilada tou Aheila, ton eurun kai kalws kallierghmenon khpon tou Giannh tou Perivola, kai eipe mesa ths: As paw ston mpahtse tou Giannh, na tou gurepsw kanena matso krommudia, h kanena marouli, na me filepsh... Ti tha hasw? Sughronws, anepolhsen thn stigmhn ekeinh, o,ti pro hmerwn eihen akousei oti h gunaika tou Giannh tou Perivola hton arrwsth. Hnnoei an auth eurisketo twra eis thn kaluvhn thn entos tou khpou, para thn eisodon, h an enoshleueto eis thn polin. All' epeidh o khpouros o idios tha eurisketo e3 apantos edw, (suneperanen, epeidh evlepen makrothen anoikthn thn thuran tou perivolou) esullogisthh na tou poulhsh douleusin, me ta votana pou eihe sto kalathaki ths, uposhomenh autw mantzounia pros iasin ths gunaikos tou. Eita euthus palin eipe kath' eauthn: Ti doulepsh na kamh kaneis sth ftwheia!... H megaluterh kalwsunh pou mporouse na tous kamh tha hton na eihe kaneis sterfovotano na tous dwsh. (The m' shwrese me!) As hton kai pallhkarovotano! epefere. Giati kanei olo koritsakia, ki auth h ftwhia!... Tharrw pws ehei pent' e3i ws twra. Den 3erw an ths ehh pethanei kanena... ap' auta ta eftapsuha! Eihen ereunhsei, tw onti, epi hronous pollous, eis ta vouna kai tas faraggas, opws eurh pallhkarovotano dia thn korhn ths, all'

58 ekeino to opoion ths eihe dwsei den epetuhen e3 enantias, enhrghse mallon ws koritsovotano. Kai omws eis authn allote, otan ths to edwken h andradelfh ths, eihe telesforhsei, dioti ekame tessaras uious, kai monon treis thugateras. Oson afora to sterfovotano, o pneumatikos ths eihen eipei pro hronwn oti einai megalh amartia. Prin fthash eis thn thuran tou khpou, kathws kathrheto ton dromiskon ths klituos, eiden oti o Giannhs o Perivolas den eurisketo entos tou khpou, all' hto thn stigmhn ekeinhn eis ton geitonikon agron, ton opoion eihe fainetai enoikiasei ws kollhgas apo ton geitona. O agros hton sparmenos krithhn lian hloazousan kai spithamiaian hdh, ekeito de epi hamhloterou apo ton khpon epipedou, eis upsos gonatos. O Giannhs, skummenos eis mian akrhn tou agrou, ws fainetai, evotanizen, htoi e3errizwne t' ashhma horta kai ta zizania anamesa eis to sparton, enosw hto akomh enwris, kai o hlios eduen hdh. Eurisketo peran ths allhs akras tou khpou, kai otan h Giannou eplhsiasen eis thn thuran tou perivolou, den ton evlepe pleon, kruptomenon opisthen tou puknou fraktou, eis ikanhn apostasin, wste den hmporese na tou fwna3h makrothen thn kalhsperan. Ekeinos, kuptwn, olos ekdotos eis thn ergasian tou, oute thn eiden. H graia Hadoula eishlthe. Plhsion ths thuras hton h kaluvh, ikanws leukazousa, me e3wterikon ohi polu akmaion oute katharion. Efaineto oti pro pollou hronou den eihen asvestwthh, k' emarturei peri ths arrwstias ths oikokuras. Ata3ia ergaleiwn, hortwn kai dematwn uphrhen emprosthen tauths. H thura hto kleisth. Ta duo parathura kleista. Monon eis feggiths me ualon uphrhe pros ta anw, alla dia na fthash ws ekei epanw h Fragkogiannou, dia na sthlwsh to anasthma ths kai idh an hton anthrwpos mesa, eprepe n' anelthh tas duo h treis vathmidas, kai na fthash eis to mikron, afrakton sanidwma, to kaloumenon hagiati.

59 Enw edistazen, an eprepe outw na kamh, h mallon n' anelthh aplws eis to hagiati kai na kroush thn thuran, hkouse fwnas mikrwn korasiwn. Oligon parekei hton to phgadi me to magganon, kai dipla, h sterna, hamhlh, vatheia, me tas ohthas molis anehousas uperanw ths epifaneias ths ghs. Epanw eis authn thn ktisthn ohthhn, para to heilos ths sternas, ekathhnto duo mikra korasia, to en ws pente etwn, to allo ws triwn etwn, kai epaizan me mian kalamian kai me spaggon kai en karfion demenon eis thn akrhn, ws na epsareuan taha entos ths sternas. Na!... mou edwke to shmeio o Ais-Giannhs, eipe mesa ths, shedon akousiws h Fragkogiannou, ama eide ta duo thugatria... Ti leutheria tha ths ekanan ths ftwhias, ths Perivolous, anisws epeftan mes sth sterna k' ekolumpousan!... Na idoume, ehei nero? Plhsiasasa, ekupse, kai eiden oti h sterna hton shedon gemath ws duo trita orguias nerou. Ti t' afhnei edw, keinos o pateras tous, mikra koritsia, eipen palin h Fragkogiannou. Taha den mporoun na pesoun kai monaha tous mesa? Estrepsen anhsuhon vlemma pros thn kaluvhn. All' auth eihe thn opsin oti den uphrhen anthrwpos mesa. Ekoita3e meta periergeias ta duo korasia. To megaluteron toutwn wraion, 3anthon, an kai shedon anipton, ekamnen wraian entupwsin. To mikrotero, hlwmon, kakondumenon, efaineto mallon na pashh apo zouran, htoi paidikon marasmon. Koritsakia, eipen h Fragkogiannou, ti ekanet' dw?... Pou ein' h manna sas? To megaluteron korasion aphnthse: Piti. Sto spiti, hrmhneusen h graia. Ma pou sto spiti? Edw h sto hwrio? Zen einai zw, eipen palin to mikron.

60 Fainetai oti e3etelei entolhn tou patros ths, mh thelontos na enohlwsin oi diavatai thn arrwsthn. Auth, allws, eurisketo pragmati entos ths kaluvhs, kaitoi ta parathura hsan kleista, isws dia na mhn thn vlapth o esperinos ahr tou reumatos. Fainetai oti o suzugos ths pro oligou monon eihe katelthei eis ton geitonikon agron, pros mikran sumplhrwmatikhn ergasian, kai eihen oknhsei h nomisei peritton na kleish kai thn thuran tou perivolou tou lahanokhpou. H graia Hadoula hrwthse kai palin: K' einai sto hwrio, h manna sas? Kai seis pws eiste 'dw monaha sas? Einai patelas zw, eipen h mikra. Pou? Ekei katw, edei3en h mikra. Kai ti kanei? H paidiskh eseie tous wmous. Den h3eure ti na eiph.Telos eproferen: Ehei z'leia. (ehei douleia) Pws se lene, koritsi mou? Mena? M'souda (Mursouda). Kai thn aderfh sou? Toula (Aretoula). H Fragkogiannou eskefthh: Tha fwna3oun, taha?... Th' akousth? Pou n' akousth!... Prepei na kamw glhgora, prosethhke mesa ths. Autos, opou einai, twra se ligo, tha 'rthh dw, giati tha souroupwsh, kai den tha vleph na kanh douleia ekei katw... Kai prepei na feugw to glhgorwtero, hwris na me idh, opws den me eide ws twra. Edistase pros stigmhn. Hsthanthh mesa ths foveran palhn. Eita eipe, shedon megalofwnws: Kardia!... auto einai mia apofash.

61 Kai dra3asa me tas duo heiras ta duo korasia, ta wthhse me megalhn vian. Hkousthh megas platagismos. Ta duo plasmata eplean eis to neron ths sternas. H megalutera korasis errh3en o3eian kraughn, htis anthhhsen eis thn mona3ian ths esperas. Ma...! E3 emfutou ormhs, h Fragkogiannou estrepse to proswpon pros thn leukhn kaluvhn, opou mehri toude eihen estrammena ta nwta. Kai sughronws etoimazeto na fugh, kai sunama estrefe ton kanthon tou ommatos pros thn sternan, dia na idh an dihrkei h agwnia. Anelave to kalathi ths, to opoion eihe apothesei kataghs, kai apemakrunthh duo vhmata. Ta duo mikra plasmata hspairon mesa eis to neron. H mikra eihe vuthisthh hdh. H megalutera epalaie. Met' oliga deuterolepta, h graia hkousen opisthen ths kroton thuras anoigomenhs, kai asthenh fwnhn. Estrafh. H thura ths kaluvhs eihen anoihthh. H arrwsth gunh, h mhthr twn duo korasiwn, whra, kai tuligmenh me mallinhn sindona, omoia me fantasma, istato eis to hasma ths thuras. Ti einai? eipe meta tromou h pashousa gunh. Tote h Fragkogiannou, me megalhn etoimothta, kathws istato orthia, duo vhmata pros thn sternan, erripse to kalathi ths katw, to opoion eihe analavei artiws, kai arhise na trehh, na phda, kai na fwnazh: Ta koritsia!... Ta koritsia!... Pesane mesa!... Koita3e!... Den ehete to nou sas, hristianoi?... Pws kamane?... Kai t' afhnete monaha tous, konta sth sterna, nero gemath!... Kala pou vrethhka!... Na, twra perasa k' egw... O Theos m' esteile!

62 K' enw tw ama kupsasa, kai afairesasa en akarei thn foustana ths, meinasa me thn legomenhn mallinan, thn en eidei mesoforiou, aporriptousa tas pathmenas hondras emvadas, meinasa me tas kaltsas tas truphmenas eis thn pternan, errithh vareia, meta patagou mesa eis to neron ths sternas. H gunh h arrwsth eihen afhsei vrahnhn kraughn, k' etre3e na katelthh ta duo h tria lithina skalopatia ths eisodou, parapatousa kai molis dunamenh na vadizh ek ths adunamias. Prin auth fthash plhsion ths sternas, h Giannou eihe piasei to mikroteron korasion, to opoion ths efaineto mallon pnigmenon hdh, kai to esure vradews pros ta e3w, me thn kefalhn pantote epistoma eis to nero. Eita shkwsasa to mikron swma, afou apethese touto epi ths lithinhs krhpidos, ekupse k' epiase thn allhn korasida, thn megaluteran. Thn edra3en apo to kraspedon tou forematos ths, kai apo ton ena poda, k' enw etrava pros ta anw to swma, h kefalh emene katw, oson to dunaton makroteran wran entos tou nerou. Telos, h mhthr eihe fthasei plhsion ths skhnhs, kai h Fragkogiannou esuren apofasistikws to swma pros ta e3w. Apethhke touto plhsion tou allou swmatos. Ta duo mikra plasmata efainonto anaisthhta. H Fragkogiannou meta prospatheias, psa3asa me tous podas eis to neron, aneuren epi ths meshmvrinhs pleuras to stomion ths sternas, to fragmenon dia plateias sanidos me upshlhn ws kontarion lavhn, kai pathsasa ton ena poda epi ths esohhs ekeinhs tou toihou anhlthe meta kopou eis thn krhpida olh stazousa. Eides! Den to esullogisthka! anekra3en epideiktikws h Fragkogiannou. Taha den eprepe na travh3w ton kopano epanw, na 3efra3w th mpouka, gia n' adeiash monomias h sterna, prin pnigoun ta koritsakia, ta kahmena!

63 Hto alhthes, allws, oti den to eihe skefthh. Plhn uparhei upokrisia kai en th eilikrineia. H Fragkogiannou etina3e ta kraspeda twn endumatwn ths, ta diavroha, kai riptousa vlemma epi ta duo anaisthhta swmata, hrhisen en via kai spoudh na legh: Kremasma anapoda theloune... Htuphma me to kalami, gia na 3erasoun mathes!... Kala pou einai gluko to nero... Pou einai o andras sou, hristianh mou?... Etsi t' afhnoun, mikra koritsia, monaha tous, na paizoun me to nero ths sternas?... Kala pou hrtha! O Theos m' esteile... Apo ton Anaguro erhomai, ap' ton eliwna... Kala pou hton h porta tou mpahtse anoihth!... Pou 'nai o andras sou? Pou 'n' tos? O,ti mphka ap' thn porta, akouw mploum! Trehw... Ti na idw! Den profthasa... Oute h3eura pws eis' edw. Se eiha sto hwrio pws vriskesai... Eiha mathei pws hsoun arrwsth... Thn tromara pou phra!... Twra, kremasma anapoda, kai glhgora... Den pisteuw na einai kala pnigmena... Pou 'nai... tos o andras sou? Pou 'n' tos? Kai dra3asa meta vias to en swma, to mikroteron, peri tou opoiou hto shedon vevaia oti hton nekron hdh, to metefere plhsion enos dendrou, dia na to kremash anapoda, ws elege. Pou ein' ena skoinaki?... Na, vlepw ena spaggon me kalamia! Kala, tha hreiasth. Eneuen anupomonws eis thn arrwsthn gunaika, na ths ferh plhsion thn kalamia, me thn opoian epaizan pro mikrou ai duo korasides. H gunh, zalismenh, paralogismenh, sumplekousa tas heiras en aporia, en tromw, en agwnia, me asthenh fwnhn eipe: Ma pou 'nai o pateras tous? Emena rwtas? eipen h Giannou. Den fwnazeis?... Den mporw na skou3w, den ehw karditsa, hristianh mou... Isws na einai apokatw, sto hwrafi.

64 H Fragkogiannou, apothesasa pros wran to mikron swma kataghs, eihe tre3h duo vhmata, kai lusei thn kalamian me ton spaggon, k' eprospathei na ton lush h ton kopsh, opws desh di' autou tous podas ths mikras pnigmenhs eis ton klwna ths keraseas, kai kremash to swma kata kefalhs. Sughronws, apantwsa eis thn epiklhsin ths gunaikos, efwna3e me agrian, allokoton fwnhn: Giannh!... Giannh! H kraugh anthhhsen ana thn koilada. All' o Giannhs den efaineto. H Giannou edese tous podas ths mikras, k' eprospathei na thn kremash, sughronws de epanelave thn kraughn ths: Giannh!.. Pou eisai?... Ela!...Ta koritsia pesane mes sthn sterna!... Kalutera, pou argei, elege mesa ths. Den akouei, tha pw, autos o hristianos? Toso tamahi, sth douleia! Twra nuktwse plia... Giannh! Giannh!... Sughronws sunhsthanthh oti shedon eprodideto, kathoti h gunh rhtws den ths eihen eipei oti o Giannhs eirgazeto sto hwrafi, alla monon h idia ton eihen idei, kai an ths to eipe tis, h pnigeisa paidiskh ths to eipen. Othen epefere: Ma pou einai?... Sto hwrafi, eipes? Kai ti kanei?... Poios na tre3h, hristianh mou, ws ekei... Su eisai arrwsth gunaika... Giannh!... Pou eisai, Giannh? Telos hkousthh fwnh, peran tou akrinou fraktou, apo thn eshatian erhomenh. Ti einai?... Poios fwnazei? Tre3e, Giannh!... Ta koritsia pnighkane! ekra3e me megan kopon h arrwsth gunh. Meta en lepton efthase trehwn o Giannhs.

65 H Fragkogiannou en tw meta3u eihe kremasei to mikron swma, eita eshkwse kai to swma to allo, ths megaluteras paidiskhs, kai to epshlafei me tas duo heiras, zhtousa na vevaiwthh an hto nekron hdh. Kai sughronws erripte lo3on upoulon vlemma pros thn dusthnon mhtera, thn whran kai rigousan upo thn leukhn, mallinhn sindona ths, k' eseise thn kefalhn, akousiws oikteirousa thn gunaika ekeinhn. Otan eide makrothen ton patera, ton khpouron, na trehh pros ta edw, egurise to swma me thn kefalhn katw, kai to ekratei proswrinws outw distazousa kai entromos. Ti einai?... Ti trehei? ekra3en en akra aporia o Giannhs. Na! kala pou vrethhka! efwna3e pros touton h Fragkogiannou... Hrhomoun apo ton Anaguro, me to kofini mou. Elega na sou dwsw kanena votano, ap' auta pou mazw3a shmera sto rema, gia na kamete mantzouni gia th gunaika sou!... epeidh eiha mathei pws hton arrwsth... Kala pou vrethhke h porta anoihth!... Mpainw mesa... Akouw, mploum! thn tromara pou phra! Ta duo koritsia, kathws epaizan me thn kalamia, epesan sthn sterna... Kata pws fainetai, oso mporesa na katalavw, eihan piasei kauga poia na krath thn kalamia, gia na vgalh taha ta psaria... H mikrh hthele n' arpa3h thn kalamia ap' th megalh... Sprwhnontas h megalh th mikrh, thn erri3e mes sto nero, kai pianontas h mikrh thn megalh, kata pws fainetai, thn etravh3e mazi ths mes sth sterna. (H Fragkogiannou eihe autoshediasei thn ermhneian tauthn ek tou proheirou, kai e3 empneusews). Ah! thn tromara pou phra! Akouw ena mploum! Kala pou vrethhka! O Theos m' esteile... Ammh, etsi afhnoune, hristianoi mou, mikra koritsia, na paizoun monaha tous konta sth sterna, gemath nero!... O Giannhs idwn ta duo anaisthhta swmata eis tas whras aktinas ths amfilukhs, travwn ta mallia tou, daknwn tous armous twn daktulwn tou, aphnthsen:

66 W!... ti amarties!... eheis dikio, hristianh mou! Ah!... kai ti hton auto!... K' egw hmoun katw sto hwrafi, k' evgaza ta hortaria... kai den hmporousa na hsuhasw, to ermo!... Ena saraki m' etrwge!... Kai den esullogisthka pws h sterna hton gemath. K' eiha ena fovo, mian upopsia... elega n' afhsw to votanisma, na 'rthw, na tre3w, ston mpahtse pisw... K' elega, o e3apodw kati mou skarwnei, kati mou mageireuei... Kai de mou 'kane kardia, n' afhsw th douleia, to ermo! Wh! dikio eheis, o,ti kai na phs, hristianh mou. Ah! ah! ti amarties? Kai en pollh agwnia, o khpouros suneirgasthh eis ta proheira enantion tou pnigmou mesa, ta opoia sunista h polupeiros Fragkogiannou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H graia Hadoula e3 anagkhs emeine kath' olhn ekeinhn thn nukta eis thn kaluvhn, opou edokimasen ola ta spania kai aperigrapta sunaisthhmata ths fonissas metavallomenhs aifnhs eis iatrissan twn idiwn thumatwn ths. Me ola ta kremasmata kai tas entrivas, ta opoia efhrmosen auth, ta duo korasia apethanan. To prwi etre3en o Giannhs eis thn polihnhn dia na dwsh eidhsin eis tas arhas, enw h Fragkogiannou meinasa opisw esuntrofeue thn arrwsthn mhtera, klaiousan kai oduromenhn, e3askousa kai to ergon ths parhgorhtrias, sima eis to epaggelma ths iatrissas. O eirhnodikhs kai o ekplhrwn t' astunomika paredros hlthon epi topou. H Fragkogiannou anakrinomenh dihghthh thn hthesinhn ekdromhn ths, kai thn tuhaian dieleusin ths apo ton lahanokhpon. Eita epanelave shedon kata le3in osa eihen eipei eis ton patera twn duo korasiwn: H mikroterh hthele n' arpa3h thn kalamia ap' thn megaluterh. Sprwhnontas h megalh thn mikrh thn erri3e mesa sto nero, kai pianontas h mikrh thn megalh, kata pws fainetai, thn

67 etravh3e mazi ths mes sth sterna. Tauta e3efere mallon ws sumperasmous h anakrinomenh dioti molis epathse to katwflion ths thuras, elege, ki akouse ena mploum! kai den eprofthase na prolavh thn katastrofhn, monon ephre megalh tromara. O parepidhmwn iatros, k. M., hlthen, eide ta ptwmata kai suneta3e thn ekthesin tou apefanthh oti ta duo korasia epnighsan ek ptwsews eis to udwr. Oudemia endei3is oute upopsia uphrhe kata ths Fragkogiannous. Ta duo mikra plasmata ta ediavasen eis iereus elthwn, eis ton naiskon tou Ag. Antwniou, kai ta ethapsan ekei e3w, meta3u shoinwn kai thamnwn, plhsion eis thn voreian pleuran tou naiskou. I' Parhlthon ai eortai tou Pasha. Thn evdomada tou Thwma, h graia Hadoula, vohthoumenh apo thn mikran korhn ths, thn Kriniw, eplunen entos ths eureias aulhs tou kur Ale3androu tou Rosmah, gerontos prokritou, ostis hto sunteknos ths, kai ths eihe vaptisei shedon ola ta tekna. Eis to upostegon meros ths aulhs to kaloumenon ladareio, dipla eis thn pelwrian 3ulinhn karoutan, omoiazousan polu me thn Kivwton tou Nwe, opws thn zwgrafizoun, plhsion eis to frear, kai opou h anathallousa terastia morea e3eteine tous megalous kataprasinous klwnas ths, ws hiasthn eulogian didomenhn stauroeidws eis a3ious kai ana3ious, o mikros khpos fragmenos me drufaktae3ediplwne poluhrwma methustika anthh eis droson glukasmou kai trufhn ommatwndi' ola tou Theou ta plasmata dipla eis thn mikran kaminon me thn ktisthn sternan twn stemfulwn, eihen h Fragkogiannou thn megalhn, vatheian skafhn ths, parapleurws

68 tauths allhn skafhn h Kriniw, kai akourastoi ai duo apo duo hmerwn eplunon, empougadiazan, e3evgainan, aplwnan, estegnwnan, emazeuan, kai akoma den eihon teleiwsei thn kalhn twn ergasian. Thn deuteran hmeran h Fragkogiannou eihen enohlhthh megalws apo ta tre3imata, tous thoruvous, kai ta kamwmata enos smhnous mikrwn paidiwn kai korasiwn, ta opoia eishlaunon entos ths aulhs k' ethoruvoun. Shedon ola ta paidia ths geitonias, deka h dekapente ton arithmon, eisevallon eis thn aulhn, etrehan edw-ekei, ehorophdousan, ekunhgounto gurw-gurw eis thn karoutan, epaizon to kruftaki, ekuptan eis to frear, Narkissoi dia na idoun thn skian twn eis to udwr, me kindunon na pesoun mesa, e3evallon megalas, anarthrous fwnas, ws Hhoi, thugatria kruptomena opisthen ths karoutas, eis ta skoteina stenwmata, opou ta ethelgen o paigniwdhs fovos kai ola tauta me megalhn paidikhn adiakrisian kai fortikothta, mh afhnonta thn filergon graian kai thn korhn ths na kamoun hsuhai thn ergasian twn. Duo pulas eihen h eureia aulh, thn megalhn kai thn mikran. Kai tas duo tas eihe kleisei epaneillhmenws h Giannou me ton mohlon, h me to mandalon, elpizousa na eurh hsuhian k' ai duo euriskonto met' oligon anoiktai ekastote touto dioti kai oi enoikoi elamvanon suhna anagkhn na eiselthoun h na e3elthoun, kai alloi ektos twn paidiwn e3wthen hrhonto, suggeneis h filoi ths oikias. Ekame parastaseis eis thn sevasmian gerontissan, thn oikokuran, htis epaneilhmmenws emalwse ta paidia, olws alusitelws. Pareponethh eis duo geitonisses, mhteras tinwn ek twn thoruvountwn paidiwn. Autai ths aphnthsan oti na koitazh th douleia ths, kai na mhn kanh koumanto se 3eno vio. Konta to meshmeri, h Giannou esteile thn Kriniw sto spiti, dia na ferh pswmi kai fava, thn opoian eihen eiph oti tha evrazen h Amersa htis eihe pantote ton ergaleion ths eis to spiti, kai den sunhthize na

69 lamvanh meros eis thn plusin kai allas e3wterikas ergasias dia na geumatisoun. H Fragkogiannou emeine pros wran monh, e3akolouthousa na plunh. Thn wran ekeinhn uphrhon entos ths aulhs monon duo h tria korasia, ta opoia den ethoruvoun ki auta oligwteron apo ta paidia. Afotou malista eihen idruthh eis to hwrion sholeion twn thhlewn, ta korasia eihon megalws 3upnhsei. H kura daskala polla grammata den ta edidasken, akomh oligwtera heirotehnhmata, alla monon ta emanthane na lavoun tharros kai na mhn kanoun san skiasmena kai san vounisia, kai ekhrutten oti hto kairos pleon na heirafeththwsin. H Fragkogiannou ta emalwsen epanhleimmenws, all' auta den akouan. To en malista thugatrion, molis epta etwn, ths geitonissas ths Propantinas, h 3enoula, arhise na perigela thn graian, me mimikas kinhseis twn heirwn kai tou stomatos. Stigmhn tina, ta duo alla korasia etre3an e3w ths aulhs, h de 3enoula, meinasa, ekupten eis to frear, k' ezhtouse, me mian vergan, na fthash kai tara3h to neron. Ekupten epimonws, all' h verga hto polu konth kai den efthane. E! The mou, kai na 'peftes mesa, 3enoula! eipe me allokoton gelwta h Fragkogiannou. Ti leutheria tha 'kanes ths mannas sou! E! Se mou, tsai na 'mpempes mpesa! emimhthh parwdousa thn fwnhn h 3enoula! Tsi lelugia tsakales tsh mpamias sou! Eihen anashkwthh oligon, kai palin ekupsen vathuteron h prin. To stomion tou phgadiou, tetragwnon, hto fragmenon me sanidas anisou platous, wste ai pleurai den eihon to auto upsos. H mikra sanis, ef' hs ekupten h 3enoula, hto hamhlotera twn allwn triwn, ftharmenh, olisthhra, fagwmenh apo thn prostrivhn tou shoiniou tou kouva, di' ou hntloun udwr, me skouriasmena karfia, sapra kai kinoumenh. Kathws ekupsen h paidiskh, esthrihthh olh, me to varos tou

70 swmatos epi ths aristeras heiros, epanw eis authn thn sanida, eglistrhsen, h sanis enedwken, e3ekollhsen apo thn mian akran, kai h 3enoula epese katakefala mesa eis to haskon stoma tou freatos. Hkousthh pnigmenh kraugh, ktupos, kai eita megas platagismos eis to udwr. H epifaneia tou nerou hto mian kai hmiseian orguian katw tou stomiou, to de vathos tou nerou prepei na hto mias orguias. E3 emfutou ormhs, h Fragkogiannou hthelhse na fwna3h kai na tre3h eis vohtheian. Alla th men kraughn ths h idia epni3en eis ton larugga, prin thn ekvalh, ai de kinhseis parelusan kai to swma ths epagwsen. Allokotos stohasmos ths ephlthen eis ton noun. Idou oti molis shedon ws asteismon eihen ekferei thn euhhn, na epipten h paidiskh mesa sto phgadi, kai idou eginen! Ara o Theos (etolma na to skefthh?) eishkouse thn euhhn ths, kai den hto anagkh na epivalh pleon heiras, alla monon hrkei na huheto, kai h euhh ths eishkoueto. Meta mian stigmh, elaven apofasin na elthh mehri tou stomiou tou freatos, na kupsh kai na idh eis to vathos. Eide thn agwnian ths mikras korhs, aspairoushs mesa eis to neron, eipe kath' eauthn oti, kai an hthele, den tha hdunato na thn swsh. Alla vevaiws, an epnigeto... authn tha kathgoroun! Na kra3ei twra vohtheian, hto arga. Arga isws tha hto dia na swthh h mikra, alla pithanws den tha hto arga dia na dei3h auth thn athwothta ths. Kai omws den apefasise na kra3h. Kaluteron tha hto, an amesws to eihe kamei. All' opoia kakh tuhh! Pws thn epaideuen h amartia! An hto twra h Kriniw edw, poson euktaion tha hto! Ekeinh vevaiws tha hton ikanh na katelthh 3upolhth eis to neron dioti to phgadi, opws sunhthws sumvainei, eihe pathmata eis tous eswterikous toihous, esohas entos tou ktiriou twn lithwn, an kai isws polu epikindunous kai olisthhras kai pithanon hto na katwrthwnen h Kriniw na swsh thn mikran korasida. Twra omws hto apelpisia kai thanatos!

71 Eis autas tas stigmas, h Fragkogiannou eihe lhsmonhsei thn prwthn idean ths oti o Theos hthelhse na eisakousthh h euhh ths kai na pnigh h paidiskh. Eita euthus palin o logismos outos ths epanhlthen eis ton noun kai akousiws egelase pikron gelwta. En riph ofthalmou apefasise ti eprepe na kamh. As paw sto spiti, eipe mesa ths. tha profasisthw, epeidh to Kriniw argei na elthh isws na mhn ein' etoimo to fai pws peinasa taha polu, k' eprotimhsa na fame oloi sto spiti, gia na vgalw ap' ton kopo kai to Kriniw, na kouvala. Kai en akarei, afou etopothethse thn skafhn me osa rouha eihe misoplumena akomh opisthen ths karoutas, eis mega 3ulinon amparion, to opoion ekleidwse, k' evale to kleidion sthn tsephn ths, e3hlthe trehousa apo thn aulhn, dia ths mikras pulhs, thn ekleisen e3wthen me to mandalon, kai aphlthen. IA' Afou to swma ths 3enoulas anesurthh apo to frear, pnigmenon kai nekron, h graia Hadoula den hto pleon hsuhh, krueros fovos hrhise na thn katatruhh... Elegen oti twra, an kai den eptaie, den tha eglutwne pleon. Tw onti, h e3ousia eihe arhisei na sullamvanh upopsias. H sumptwsis oti h graia ekeinh eihen eurethh deuteragwnistousa eis ton pnigmon twn duo korasiwn tou Giannh tou Perivola, eis ths Mamous to rema opou olh h upothesis, kaitoi den proekupsan stoiheia enohhs h kai nu3eis pros upopsian, eihe <ti> to parado3on kai to allokoton, kai oti auth palin h graia eurisketo eis thn aulhn tou gerontos Rosmah, kata tas wras peripou ote epnigeto eis to frear h mikra 3enoula, h thugathr tou Propanth, pareihe nu3eis tinas upopsias eis ton

72 eirhnodikhn, ostis epesure thn prosohhn tou paredrou, tou ekplhrountos t' astunomika. Kai tote o paredros, ostis ws dhmosios kathgoros periwrizeto monon n' agoreuh, kata tas sunedriaseis twn poinikwn, legwn: Kata tis marturies pou eipan oi marturoi, fainetai na ekame, h fainetai na mhn ekame thn pra3in, olon de ton allon kairon den elamvanen aformhn n' anaptu3h thn drasthriothta tou h na trohish thn glwssan tou, aplws aphnthsen oti afou etsi to leei o eirhnodikhs, etsi tha einai, k' etsi mou fainetai, kai tote oi duo apefasisan n' anakrinwsin austhroteron thn Hadoulan, hhran Iwannou Fragkou, k' en anagkh na thn proswpokrathswsi. Kata thn prwthn anakrisin, htis eihe ginei epi podos k' epitopiws tote o eirhnodikhs kai o astunomos den eihon sullavei akomh rhtas upopsias, h den tas eihon anakoinwsei pros allhlous (opote dia ths sunepineusews tou enos h pepoithhsis tou allou, ws pantote sumvainei, edekaplasiazeto) h Fragkogiannou en atara3ia eihe katathesei ta gnwsta hdh gegonota, aneu ths eswterikhs psuhologias twn oti dhl. auth, ekei pou eplune, san aperase to meshmeri, k' epeinase, k' h korh ths h Kriniw eihen upagei sto spiti na ferh to fai, kai san argouse, ki auth eihe parapeinasei kai thn eihan katazalisei to plhthos ekeino ta paidia kai ta koritsia, pou ehalnousan ton kosmon me ta paignidia kai tis ata3ies tous mes sthn aulh, kai gurw-gurw sto ladareio, kai gurw-trigurw sthn karouta, kai sto phgadi sima eis tas fronimous nouthesias ths auta, kakomathhmena, thn eperigelousan kai thn hrethizan, kai thn ekamnon na hash thn upomonhn ola t' anwterw epevevaiwse k' h Kriniw, h korh ths tote auth, katazalismenh kai mh dunamenh na stathh sta podia ths ap' thn peina, apefasise na upagh sto spiti, dia na fagoun oloi mazi ekei, n' apalla3h kai thn Kriniw apo ton perisson kopon ths metaforas tou faghtou, ki auth na hsuhash pros wran kai na 3apostash. E3hlthe loipon ths aulhs, k' ekleise thn

73 thuran me to mandalon. Otan, meta to geuma, ws mian wran argotera, epestrepsan eis thn aulhn, mazi me thn Kriniw, kat' arhas den upwpteusan tipote, k' epanelavon thn ergasian twn. O thoruvos twn paidiwn eihe kopasei pros wran tote. Otan omws met' oligon ehreiasthh n' antlhsoun neron apo to frear, tote to giourdeli, htoi to antlhma ths Kriniws, prosekrousen eis stereon swma entos tou udatos, ki auth en ekplh3ei kai fovw ekra3e thn mhtera ths. Tote ai duo omou anekalupsan to swma ths mikras korhs epipleon, h mallon vuthismenon hdh entos tou udatos. H Kriniw hton entelws eilikrinhs vevaiousa t' anwterw. O eirhnodikhs hkousen eumenws thn katathesin tauths. All' omws ekame morfasmon eis thn mhtera ths. Ekeinos o morfasmos ekeina ta moustra tou eirhnodikou den ths hresan, ths Fragkogiannous, htis hto lian pepeiramenh, kai tote megalh agwnia thn ekurieusen. Eis thn oikian ths Trahhlainas ths korhs ths, opou eurisketo mikron pro ths dusews tou hliou, den epaue na koitazh anhsuhos apo to parathuro. Dieuthune to vlemma pros thn idian ths mikran oikian, htis kaitoi mh antikruzousa, alla plagiws keimenh, hto orath, epeidh e3eihe peran twn oligwn mesolavouswn oikiwn, duo h treis phhes pros ton dromon. H Giannou, an kai suhna ekoitaze, den evlepe tipote. H korh ths h Delharw eide thn anhsuhian ths, ki arhise na koitazh, opws h mhthr ths, kai auth. Thn wran ths dusews tou hliou, aifnhs meta krufiou fovou thn ekra3e: Manna! Manna! Ti einai? Ela na idhs! Ti? Duo tahtikoi stekontai kai koitazoun e3w ap' thn aulh, sto spiti sas...

74 H graia Hadoula eshkwthh, kai eiden ekeino to opoion efoveito. Duo tahtikoi, htoi hwrofulakes, opws eis tous hronous tou uiou ths, tou Mwrou opote outos, pro dekapente etwn peripou eihe surei ek ths komhs epi tou lithostrwtou ths odou thn mhtera tou, kai eihe mahairwsei thn adelfhn tou istanto paramoneuontes, koitazontes aplhstws pros thn oikian. H Fragkogiannou eide kai epeisthh oti megas kai epikeimenos kindunos thn hpeilei. Prepei na parw ta vouna, duhatera! eipen aifnhs. An proftasw! Giati, manna? eipen en agwnia h Delharw. Giati... me gureuoun gia na me fulakwsoun. Alhtheia?... Esu to erri3es, manna, to koritsi sto phgadi? Ohi, martus mou o Theos! Auto den to ekama, eipen h Fragkogiannou... Tote?... Siwpa! H amartia se kunhga, manna, eipe deilws h Delharw. Siwpa! Mourlathhkes? eipe vlosura h manna ths, upopteusasa upainigmon tina eis ton tonon meth' ou wmilei h korh ths. Ti na pw k' egw, h kahmenh! eipe sumplekousa tas heiras en amhhania, h Delharw. A! auto mhn to les! ohi! Den kanei na to les! Kai tromera, kathlthe thn skalan na fugh. Pou pas, manna? Sta vouna, sou eipa!... Dwse mou ligo pa3imadi. H Delharw etre3e n' anoi3h to ermarion, k' elaven ekeithen oliga pa3imadia. Dwse mou kai to kalathi mou... k' ena mahairaki, epanelaven en akra via h Fragkogiannou... Vale mou k' ena hrami mallino mesa... kai th

75 mandhla mou... ta paliotsokara mou... Dwse mou kai to ravdi mou... psa3e na to vrhs! H Delharw, en akra sigh kai upomonh, eprospathei na ektelesh olas tas etoimasias tautas. Pou tha pas, manna? epanelave klaiousa. W! kaiet' h kardia mou! Mhn klais!... Kapou tha kruftw, se kammia trupa... Hsuhia, eseis fronima! ws pou na perash h orgh tou Kuriou. Kai lavousa to kalathion kai to ravdion ths, kathlthe siga. Ekame ton stauron ths. Aifnhs ekontostathh eis thn trithn vathmida ths skalas, kai strafeisa pros thn Delharw, ths eipe: 3ereis ti na kamhs?... Tha paw ap' ton apanw dromo, gia na glutwsw, na mh me idoun, ta skulia... Kai su, authn thn stigmh, na tre3hs sto spiti... na kamwthhs pws den tous vlepeis, tous tahtikous... kai na fwna3hs ths Amersas apokat' ap' to dromo: Amersa, einai apanw h manna?... ....'Ohi, mh les ein' apanw h manna... mono na phs: Amersa, pws einai h manna, einai kalutera? ehei shkwthh?... Sto strwma ein' akoma? Gia na pistepsoun pws vriskomai apanw sto spiti, kai pws eimai arrwsth... Gia na mhn upopteuthoun tipota, kai me kunhghsoun ta skulia!... Tre3e, glhgora! Eita prosethhke: Ehete geia... kai kalh antamwsh!... Euthus usteron e3hlthe k' h Delharw, trehousa, m' elafron vhma, ki dieuthunthh pros thn mhtrikhn ths oikian, na ektelesh thn entolhn. * * *

76 H Fragkogiannou ephre ton apanw dromon, kata ta Kotrwnia, me dromaion vhma. Eis thn teleutaian aphhhsin tou kalh antamwsh, to opoion euhhthh eis thn korhn ths, akousiws prosethhke kath' eauthn meta pikras eirwneias: H esas th' antamwsw edw h, ton adelfo sas sthn fulakh tha paw n' antamwsw h, ston allo kosmo th' antamwsw ton patera sas... ki auto einai ap' ta tria to sigourotero! Kathws anevainen asthmainousa ton petrwdh lofon, Ela Panagia mou, elege mesa ths, as eimai ki amartwlh. Eita eis ta endomuha ths psuhhs ths eipe: Den to ekama gia kako. Molis eprohwrhsen oliga vhmata, kai eis tous teleutaious sporadikous oikiskous ths polihnhs, epanw stous vrahous, kathws ekathforize na fthash ston aigialon, vlepei ton Kuriakon, ton klhtora ths astunomias, me to fesi tou me thn konthn fountan, h galipan, opws thn elegan, me ton kastanon tou strimmenon mustaka, kai kratounta eis thn heiran to konton ropalon tou, peri3 tou opoiou efaineto skutaloeidws h epigrafh Ishus tou Nomou. Outos, sunodeuomenos apo ena geronta apomahon, me stratiwtikhn stolhn, hrheto apo ena plagion dromiskon, dieuthunomenos eis ton aigialon, opou kathrheto kai h Fragkogiannou, kai meta mikron e3 apantos tha thn efthanon, h tha ths epairnon ta nwta. Isws h parousia tou Kuriakou ekei, mazi me ton apomahon, na hto tuhaia. All' h enohos gunh, ws tous eiden, etarahthh, k' etahune to vhma. Ths efanh de oti k' ekeinoi to auto ekaman. Tote h Giannou, kathws efthasen eis ton aigialon, kat' agathhn sugkurian, aifnhs eiden enwpion ths anoikthn thn thuran mias oikias, lian gnwrimou eis authn, kai oude stigmhn edistase na upervh to katwflion. Ama eishlthe, tetaragmenh, evale to mandalon kai ton surthn.

77 Marousw, eis' epanw? ekra3en me siganhn, alla suristikhn fwnhn, anerhomenh thn skalan. Mia gunh kontoula, rodokokkinh, e3hlthen apo thn thuran enos thalamou, k' eparousiasthh meidiwsa, alla kai anhsuhos to vlemma. Pou s' auton ton kosmo, theia-Hadoula? hrwthse. Mhn ta rwtas, paidi mou... Megalh sufora mou epenevhke, hrhise na legh h Giannou. Eita anhsuhos hrwthse: Mhn ein' edw o kur Anagnwsths? Ohi, den ein'edw toso nwris den erhetai, einai ston kafene... Ah! theia-Hadoula k' egw elega pws na kamw na 'rthw sto spiti sou na sou pw ta trehonta... Emathes tipota? Ta elegan twra to apogeuma, o afenths mou, mazi me ton koumparo mas ton Aimerith, pou hrthe gia na foumarh ena tsimpouki kai na kouventiasoun, opws sunhthizoun. Kai ti legane? O rhnodikhs mazi me ton astunomo, theloun na se sullavoun... Elegan na steiloun tous hwrofulakes... S' ehoun upopth gia to koritsaki pou pnighke hthes mes sto phgadi. W! tromara mou... K' elega na 'rthw na sou pw, gia na krufths, an mporeshs... Ma pws vrethhkes edw? H Fragkogiannou dihghthh oti, afou, meta thn hthesinhn anakrisin ths, ekatalaven oti o eirhnodikhs arhise na thn ehh sthn mpouka tou toufekiou, hsthanthh ki auth fovon mh kakopesh adika, kai oti apo to spiti ths korhs ths, ths Delharws, opou etuhe na eurisketai shmeron to deilinon, eihen idei tous hwrofulakas na kataskopeuoun to diko ths to spiti oti apefasise na fugh sta vouna oti, kathws etrehan edw

78 katw, kata ton aigialon, skopeuousa na parh to krufon monopati tou vounou, opisw apo ta Kotrwnia, eide ton Kuriakon ton klhtora mazi m' ena gero-tahtikon, na erhwntai katopin ths, all' oti kata theian neusin, eurethh konta sto spiti ths Marousws, h opoia 3eurei kala apo palaion kairon ta pathia ths, efrontise na prosthesh, kai idousa thn thuran anoikthn, espeuse na eiselthh, opws eurh asulon. Ehw kleidwsei thn porta apo mesa, paidaki mou... ap' to sastismo mou, ti na kamw! Mou htane grafto na pathw, ta 'patha. Etsi na 'hhs polu kalo, Marousw mou, den koitazeis krufa, krufa apo to pantzouri ekeino?... na idhs an einai o Kuriakos katw h ehei travh3ei? H Marousw hlthe pros to upodeihthen parathuron, k' ekoita3e kata ton dromon. Eita epistrafeisa eipen: Einai parapera, ekei... Stekontai sto dromo mazi m' ena gero apomahon... Ehoun piasei kouventa me ton geitona mas ton psara, ton Fragkoulh. Kai koitazoun kata dw? Koitazoun sthn ammoudia, pera. H graia hto emfovos, k' efere tas heiras peri to proswpon, ws dia na travh3h ta tsouloufia ths, h na shish ta magoula ths. H Marousa thn wkteire. Den kathesai, theia-Hadoula?... Mh fovasai... O,ti einai, tha perash... Kathise, na sou kamw kafedaki na pihs. H Giannou meta distagmou errifthh epi tinos hamhlou skamniou, eis ta prothura tou mageireiou, opou egineto o dialogos. H oikia efaineto euporoushs oikogeneias, kai eihe polla hwrismata, k' epiplwsin eupreph. De thumasai ta dika mou, theia-Hadoula... eipe musthriwdws h Marousa, kai to proswpon ths af' o,ti hto eginen akomh

79 eruthroteron... Thumhsou ti tromares, ti vasana perasa tote k' egw! Ki as eisai kala, poso m' evohthhses! Etsi tha perasoun kai ta dika sou. Giati eipa egw pws esu 3ereis ta pathia mou! Epanelaven h Fragkogiannou metriofrwn. Ekeina pou les, htan pathia dika mou, diwrthwse filalhthhs h Marousw. Epshse ton kafen kai ton ekenwse. O afenths mou, opou einai, tha 'rthh... Pie ton kafe sou. Vouth3e kai to pswmaki, prosethhke koptousa megalhn fetan pswmiou. H graia arhise na vouta to pswmi kai na to masa hwris ore3in. Polu kalo na 'hhs, elege. Den paei katw, paidi mou... Ap' to holoskasmo pou ehw... Farmaki vgaz' o ouraniskos mou. Eite epefere: Den kaneis ton kopo na koita3hs pali ap' to parathuraki, e3w?... Einai akomh o Kuriakos katw? H Marousa uphkousen. Ekei einai theia-Hadoula... Epiasan megalhn kouventa me ton Fragkoulh. Kai twra, pou na paw?... San erth' o pateras sou?... Vasileps' o hlios... souroupwse... tha nuhtwsh. H Marousa eskefthh epi stigmhn, eita eipen: Egw ehw megalhn upohrewsh se logou sou, theia-Hadoula... Pws na to 3ehasw! Thumasai? eipen akousiws meidiwsa h graia. Kai mporw na t' astohhsw?... O,ti mporesw na kamw, tha kamw gia sena. As eisai kala. Mou fainetai pws to kalutero einai na se krupsw edw th nuhta, twra, prin elthh o afenth mou.

80 Pou? Katw, sto mikro katwgaki, sto sofa... 3ereis? A! eipen h Fragkogiannou, ws na ths hlthe mia anamnhsis. Kai ta mesanukta, san lalhsei t' arnithi... E?... Konta na fe3h, o,ti wra noiwseis... Kala! An thelhs, shkwnesai, kai pas sto kalo, opou se fwtish o Theos. As einai! eipe meta stenagmou h graia. Thn allh nuhta pali, anisws kai den eurhs allo katafugio eis meros plio krufo, kai plio sigouro, erhesai, kai mou rihneis ena petradaki s' auto to parathuro, h sto mikro mpalkonaki kata to gialo, katevainw, sou anoigw, kai se kruftw pali sto katwgaki. Kala!... Ma, gia koita3e, efuge o Kuriakos? H Marousa ephge peran tou mesotoihou, eis to parathuron pros ton dromon, argoporhsen oligon, isws dioti eihe skoteiniasei pleon kai den diekrine kalws e3w, kai epanhlthe. Den efugan... ekei einai k' oi treis. Twra ena prama den 3erw, eipe sunnous h Fragkogiannou. Den 3erw an me eide o Kuriakos na 'mvainw edw, h ohi... An den m' ehh idei, kai den mou kanei karteri, kalutera ehw na fugw, na sas shkwsw to varos apo twra. Elege touto eilikrinws. Estenohwreito, epothei ton aera tou vounou. Ekei hsthaneto oti tha eurisken anesin, hlpize de kai asfaleian. O,ti ki an einai, den prepei na fughs apopse, eipe prothumotera ginomenh h Marousa, kath' oson ethermaineto ek ths anamnhsews. Kathise, theia-Hadoula, apopse, sto katwgaki, gia na me kamhs na thumhthw ta palia mou vasana. Tha mou erthoun, taha san oneiro ston upno mou?

81 Etsi ta thumatai, plio, kaneis, paidaki mou, eipe me ponhran afeleian h graia. Ah! kathe amartia ehei kai th gluka ths. Alhtheia!... kai posh pikra fernei sto telos! suneplhrwse melagholikws h Marousw. H oikia hto diplh. Ektos tou kuriws ktiriou, eihe mikron pararthma pros vorran, opou hto to mageireion, kai upo to mageireion eurisketo to mikro katwgaki. Ekei dia ths katapakths kai mikras skalas wdhghsen h Marousa thn 3enhn ths, prin elthh o kur Anagnwsths, o oikodespoths. Ths eferen arton, temahion kruou vrastou, upoloipon tou geumatos, turion, neron, pothrion oinou, kai thn egkatesthsen epanw eis ton sofan tou mikrou katwgeiou, tou hrhsimeuontos ws apothhkh diaforwn oikiakwn skeuwn. Ths estrwsen ena palaion kilimi, mian trimmenhn tsergan, ena mikron sindoni, ths evale mian proskefalada sklhran, me gemisma apo lino3ula, kai ths euhhthh kalhn nukta kai upnon elafron. Elafros h varus, o upnos ths Fragkogiannous den hto dunato na hto eukolos oute euarestos, euriskomenhs eis toiauthn tarahhn kai toiouton tromon. Alla to perivallon thn ekame pros wran na lhsmonh shedon ta enestwta kai thn idian tromeran thesin ths, kai n' anapolh ta parelthonta. Ekeino to opoion metriofronws h Giannou eihen onomasei dis ta pathia ths, h de Marousa eilikrinws eihen anagnwrisei mallon ws pathia kai vasana idika ths, eihe sumvh pro oktw h deka etwn. O kur Anagnwsths Mpenidhs, ateknos, eihe lavei ws psuhokorhn thn Marousan, kai thn eihen anathrepsei oson austhra hdunhthh h suzugos tou, htis hton apothamenh pro deka pente etwn. O k. Mpenidhs hton eis ton kairon tou to shmantikwteron proswpon tou topou tou. Eihe diatelesei dhmogerwn pro tou Agwnos, plhre3ousios eis tas prwtas Suneleuseis Troizhnos, Pronoias, Argous, ktl., dhmarhos pro tou Suntagmatos. Eita meta to Suntagma dietelesen ws anwteros

82 upallhlos eis polla merh. Thn Marousan, Evraiopoulan, h kat' allous Tourkopoulan, eihe proslavei eis hlikian shedon vrefikhn, kai thn eihe vaptisei. Eita, otan kata ta teleutaia eth, ws sunta3iouhos apesurthh eis ton topon tou, thn upandreuse m' ena anepsion tou, kai ths edwken ws proika to mikron auto kollhton spitaki, eis to isogeion tou opoiou eurisketo twra h Fragkogiannou, ikana agrotika kthmata, kai oliga metrhta, uposhetheis na ths afhsh ws klhronomian kai thn kuriws oikian, kai o,ti allo hthelen eurethh par' autw meta thanaton. O gamvros, afou apekthsen en teknon, eleipen olon ton kairon. Eta3ideue lostromos me ta karavia. Hton fhmismenos nautikos, alla spatalos kai a3enoiastos. Twra teleutaia, eihen arghsei tria eth na elthh eis ton topon. En tw meta3u o ghraios kur Anagnwsths eihe hhreusei, kai h psuhokorh, kata thn apousian tou suzugou uphretei diarkws eis thn oikian ton theton patera ths, opws kai paidiothen hto sunhthismenh. O suzugos egrafen apo kairou eis kairon epistolas, uposhomenos oti tha elthh, alla den hrheto. To thugatrion ths Marousas hto hdh tessarwn etwn, kai oute o pathr eihen idei pote to teknon, oute auto egnwrize thn opsin tou patros. Kat' ekeinon ton kairon, mazi me thn anaptu3in tou emporiou kai ths sugkoinwnias, eihan arhisei na 3anoigoun kapws kai ta hthh eis ton mikron, apokentron topon. 3enoi erhomenoi apo ta alla merh ths Ellados, ta pleon politismena, eite upallhloi ths kuvernhsews, eite emporoi, ekomizon neas, eleutheras thewrias peri olwn twn pragmatwn. Outoi thn aidw kai thn sustolhn wnomazon vlakeian, thn egkrateian kai thn swfrosunhn euhtheian. Thn diafthoran kai thn lagneian wnomazon fusika pragmata. H dusthnos Marousa, htis den eihe gennhthh eis ton topon, arhhthen den hto polu austhra oute semnoprephs, eihe de mikran dosin elafrothtos.

83 Ton kairon ekeinon euriskonto eis thn nhson enas grammateus tou eirhnodikeiou, agamos, foustanelas enas grammateus tou Limenarheiou, vrakas, a3iwmatikos tou oikonomikou N. kladou, gerontopallhkaro enas enwmotarhhs kompseuths, me lignhn meshn kai agkistroeidh mustaka enas telwnofula3 ehwn triplasion eisodhma apo ton misthon tou, kai duo h treis praktores 3enwn emporikwn oikwn h alloi metoikoi. Oloi outoi eihon pantotinhn suntrofian me duo h treis allous nearous emporeuomenous, kompseuomenous, m' ellhnikoures polles eis thn glwssan kai me pollas prosrhseis. Me tous teleutaious toutous hnagkazonto na erhwntai suhna eis epafhn pollai gunaikes, kai swfrones allws, tou topou, harin twn afeuktwn kai ateleiwtwn opswnismatwn, apo ta opoia adunaton n' apallagh pote o gunaikeios kosmos. Apo ta tosa vrohia, ta opoia ths eihan ripsei eis ton dromon ths, apo tas tosas elepoleis, tas opoias ths eihon sthsei peri tous toihous ths oloi oi eirhmenoi epiheirhmatiai, den hdunhthh na glutwsei h Marousa kai met' oligon kairon auth, en apousia tou suzugou, eurethh egkuos. Kai to enohsen ote hto hdh duo mhnwn. Alla prin to anakalupsh auth, olh h geitonia, ws eikos, to h3euren, isws kai protou na sumvh to pragma. Monon o kur Anagnwsths eurisketo en agnoia. O kosmos, opws eipe tote h ponhrh Kokkitsa, mia geitonissa, to 'he toumpano, ki autos krufo kamari. Uphr3an k' ai kakai glwssai, aitines eipon aneu ths elahisths pithanothtos, ws eikos, oti o kur Anagnwsths efhrmozen thn palaian methodon tou David, kai oti dia nearas pnohs kai thermou aimatos ezhtei na 3ananiwsh. All' h eirhmenh Kokkitsa kai duo h treis allai geitonissai, aitines ta elegon sigana, k' egelwn suristika meta3u twn, ishurizonto oti, dhthen ap' to paidi ehoun polloi merdiko oti to kefali prepei na einai tou grammatikou, tou foustanela me to

84 terastion fesi kai thn makrotathn founta, h mesh, tha einai vevaia tou nwmatarhh, tou sevtalh, to ena to podari (sto lakko!) tou gerokolasmenou, tou vraka, to ena heri (makru heri!) tou telwnofulaka, kai to allo heri (pastriko heri!) tou psilikatzh, me tis 'llhnikoures. Prwth h rhtheisa Kokkitsa eihe prosklhthh musthriwdws apo thn Marousan (shmeiwteon oti auth, oson kai an efaineto aponhreuth, eihen ennohsei oti h Kokkitsa thn upwpteueto pro pollou, othen eprospoihthh ki auth euthhnhn, anagkastikhn empistosunhn dia na thn kolakeush, elpizousa oti tha thn epeithe, kai dia dwrwn, na siwphsh) eihe prosklhthh, legw, na lavh gnwsin tou musthriou. H Marousa, aderfh na thn kamh, ap' to Theo kai sta heria ths, epese ston trahhlon ths kai thn iketeue na kamh eleos an h3eurh tipote pseutogiatrika, dia na e3afanisthh, ei dunaton, o karpos ths amartias, ki o Theos pleon as egineto ilews! Dioti allws auth vevaia ti thn hthele tetoia zwh? tha epefte vevaia, ston gialo na pnigh, kathws hton malista kai sima, apo katw ap' to spiti, h thalassa. H Kokkitsa thn kathhsuhase me logia parhgorias, kai arhise na efarmozh ep' auths diaforous aloifas kai emplastra, ta opoia oudolws etelesforoun. Deutera proseklhthh h Stamatw, ptwhh hhra, k' h Kondulw h adelfh ths, alvanoglwssoi ai duo, katagomenai apo mian twn nhswn tou Sarwnikou. Autai e3hskoun entrivas epi tou swmatos ths atuhous gunaikos. Kai tas treis me o,ti eklepten apo tas oikonomias tou kur Anagnwsth, tas anthmeive. K' ekeinai emakrunon tas aloifas, kai pareteinon tas entrivas, alusitelws pantote. Thn esperan, anerhomenai ai treis eis thn aulhn ths kura-Thwmahs, oliga spitia paramesa, opou hrhonto k' h gria-Hionw, k' h theiaKurannw, olai metanastides ek Makedonias tou 1821, ta elegan meta3u twn. Ai treis prwtai edidon kath' esperan taktikhn anaforan eis thn

85 kura-Thwmahn kai eis tas duo allas graias kai olai mazi ehaskogelousan. Malista ta opsima ellhnika ths Stamatws, kathws periegrafe thn katastasin ths egkuou (auth olh konto einai kai ta podia ths konth to ehei!... tha mhn to rihnh, tahates!...) epeteinon tous gelwtas twn. Kai eis tas ektheseis ths Stamatws, h graia Kurannw eprosthete ta sholia ths, me thn Makedonikhn ths dialekton. Authnies, si lieou, eini paliofourades!... Ahilwnis, marh... Pou sta hourgia, ta th'kamas! na tou ftia3' kammia aut'no, the t'vgal'ni, si lieou, stou goumaroupazarou!... Teleutaia ap' olas eklhthh na lavh meros h Fragkogiannou, ws sofwtera olwn twn allwn. H Marousa eihen arhisei n' apelpizetai apo tas treis prwtas pseutomammes, kai katefugen eis tauthn ws eis teleutaian elpida. Tw onti h graia Hadoula me ta farmaka ths, me ta mantzounia ths kai me ta zesta h krua osa edide na pih eis thn pashousan, th vohtheia kai twn entrivwn tas opoias e3etelei m' epide3iothta polu uperteran apo tas allas, katwrthwsen entos oligwn hmerwn na epiferh thn ektrwsin. O kur Anagnwsths oudepote emathe tipote. Auth hton h palaia ekdouleusis, kai auth h eugnwmosunh thn opoian eihon upainihthh shmeron ai duo. Auta hsan ths Fragkogiannous ta palia ta pathia ths ki auta hsan ths Marousas ta vasana ths. H anamnhsis kateihe ton noun ths Fragkogiannous olhn thn wran, enw ekeito epi tou sofa, eis to skotos dioti luhnon den ths eihe ferei h filo3enousa, monon ena khraki ki oliga spirta ths eihen afhsei. Olhn authn thn palaian istorian anelogizeto, kai o upnos pote den ths hrheto. Ereunwsa thn suneidhsin ths, en pragma eurisken o,ti eihe kamei kai tote kai twra to eihe kamei dia to kalon. Ekoulouriazeto upokatw eis to mallinon skepasma, epi tou de3iou pleurou keimenh, k'

86 ekupte thn kefalhn eis to sternon, k' eprospathei na zalisthh, na narkwthh, na ths elthh lhthargos. Tote, meta hronous, enthumhthh kai thn suntomon proseuhhn, thn opoian ths eihen epivalei allote na legh suhna enas gerwn pneumatikos to Kurie Ihsou Hriste, Uie tou Theou, elehson me. H suhnh epanalhpsis ths euhhs enhrghse, kai h Hadoula enarkwthh ep' oliga lepta kai apekoimhthh. Plhn parauta eis ton upnon ths, h eis ta 3upna ths, (den h3eure kala), ths efanh oti mesa, eis to vathos ths psuhhs ths, hkoue fwnhn vrefous, klauma, minurismon thrhnwdh touto wmoiaze me thn fwnhn ths mikras eggonhs ths, ths pro oligwn mhnwn, dia heiros auths... teleiwtheishs... H graia e3upnhsen entromos, anetinahthh olh. Aneshkwthh kai hsthaneto megan sparagmon, alla sughronws kai kaluteran swmatikhn anesin. O suntomos ekeinos upnos eihen e3aleipsei par' auth to neuropathes kai to anhsuhon. Epshlafhsen, eure ta spirta, hnapse to khrion, ephre to ravdi ths, to kalathi ths, evale mesa eis auto kai tas emvadas ths, kai anupodhth, me tis kaltses, ekinhse na fugh. IV' H Marousa ths eihe dwsei to kleidi tou mikrou katwgeiou, ths eipe na e3elthh dia ths idiaiteras thuras toutou pros thn odon, na kleidwsh e3wthen, kai na parh to kleidi mazi ths, dia na to metaheiristhh palin thn allhn nukta, an emelle na epanelthh. Oson di' authn, an elamvanen anagkhn na katelthh eis to katwgaki, tha kathrheto dia ths odou, di' hs eihen odhghsei ekei thn 3enhn ths, ths eswterikhs skalas kai ths thuras tou mesotoihou.

87 Tw onti, h Fragkogiannou hsthaneto pleon megalhn sflomonhn, kai to stenon katwgaki me ton ugron aera tou thn estenohwrei. Kairo hto n' anapneush pleon ton aera tou vounou, prin oi diwktai hwrofulakes thn kleiswsin, isws dia viou, eis ta ugra kai anhlia upogeia ths anthrwpinhs themidos. E3hlthe, kai, katw eis ta vathh ths psuhhs ths, eminurizen akomh h thrhnwdhs fwnh tou vrefous, tou mikrou korasiou tou adikothanatisantos. Estathh eis to hasma ths thuras, ekoita3e meta profula3ews e3w, de3ia, aristera, anw, katw tou dromou den eide psuhhn oute skian. Evale ptera eis tous podas ths. Den hto prwth fora kath' hn hkoue mesa eis thn psuhhn ths, opou uphrhe skoteinh, sphlaiwdhs hhw, to penthimon ekeino klauma tou vrefous. K' enomizen oti efeuge ton kindunon kai thn sumforan, kai thn sumforan kai thn plhghn thn efere mazi ths. K' efantazeto oti efeuge to upogeion kai thn eirkthn, kai h eirkth kai h Kolasis hto mesa ths. Wra hto ws duo meta ta mesanukta, nu3 aselhnos, astrofegghs. Arhas Maiou, deuteran evdomada meta opsimon Pasha. H e3ohh euwdiazen, h aura emurovolei. Oliga agrupna poulakia emelpon to orthion epanw eis ta kladia. H Fragkogiannou ephre ton dromiskon, ton lian gnwston eis authn, stenon kai erponta, opisthen twn khpwn kai katwthen twn vrahwn. O dromiskos molis hton oratos eis thn astrofeggian, kaluptomenos en merei apo tous proe3ehontas ramnoustwn thamnwn kai twn vatwn, oitines proekupton apo tous fraktas twn khpwn. H eukinhtos graia epatei epi hortwn kai hamaimhlwn, k' epi hlwrwn akanthwn, anhrheto de me vhma korhs, nearas voskopoulas tou vounou, ton anhforikon dromiskon. Eihe teleiwsei h makra seira twn khpwn kai twn perivoliwn pros ta de3ia ths, enw aristera ths pareteineto akomh o mikros vrahwdhs lofos, ta Kotrwnia, me tas treis grafikas korufas twn thn mian

88 katopin ths allhs, ta epistefomenas apo anemomulous kai mikra leuka kaluvia kai spitakia, erponta gurw twn. Twra pleon efthasen eis meros opou arhizan ampelia, agroi me opwrofora dendra, oson hton akomh plaginos o anhforos, kai elaiwnes, h agroi me upshlous stahus, seiomenous apo thn nukterinhn auran, ekeithen, opou o anhforos kathistato apotomwteros, kai anw. H Fragkogiannou, me elafron asthma, etrehen, etrehe, mastizomenh to proswpon apo to apogeion to prwinon, to antipnoon, tou Vorra to haideumenon ewthinon teknon. Espeude na fthash to tahuteron, prin anateilei h hmera, eis ta merh ta opoia auth egnwrize. Uphrhon, kata tous voreious aigialous ths nhsou, polloi kleftotopoi, merh apathta, sphlaia kai vrahoi opou efutrwne to agriovotanon kai h kapparis, kai ta kritama kai h armurhthra, kai opou tous uparhontas oligous dromous katestrefon kathhmerinws ta kopadia twn erifwn kai twn aigwn. Ekei tha hto to asulon ths, ekei opou hsan ai anamnhseis ths paidikhs hlikias ths. Eis ekeinous tous voreious aigialous, sima eis to agrion kai galanon pelagos, eis to palaion Kastron, to ktismenon epi gigantiaiou thalassoplhktou vrahou, ekei eihe gennhthh h Hadoula, k' ekei eihen anatrafh ws deka etwn korh. Eita, otan eirhneusan ta pragmata, kai h nea polihnh ektisthh eis ton limena to meshmvrinon, h manna ths, h magissa, h polukunhghmenh apo tous kleftes kai tous liaphdes, suhna thn eihen epanaferei eis ta merh ekeina, ths eihe dei3ei olous tous kleftotopous, tous avatous vrahous kai ta antra, kai ths eihe dihghthh di' ena ekaston twn topwn ekeinwn ana mian istorian, fantastikhn h alhthh. Eis ekeina ta merh, otan thn upandreusan kai thn ekoukoulwsan, kai thn enekrovloghsan kata th sunhthh fraseologian ths mhtros ths, ths eihan dwsei akoma kai thn proika ths. To spiti, sto Kastro to erhmo, kai to hwrafi sto Mpostani, ston apathton krhmnon. Usteron, otan auth enoikokureuthh,

89 k' emathe polla, k' eprokopsen eis gunaikeian sofian, k' esunhthise na thhreuh ta votana kai ta trifulla kai tas drakontias eis tous loggous kai ta vouna, polu suhna eihen episkefthh ta merh ekeina, harin twn ereunwn ths. Ekei loipon ephgaine kai twra, an ediden o Theos na fthash asfalws, all' eis poian deinotathn peristasin. Kai poia ara tha hton h tuhh ths apo toude? Monos o theos to h3eure. * * * Prin fthash eis to meros, opou o dromos apotomws anhforize, kathws dihrheto e3w apo ena perivoli, fragmenon me puknous vatous kai thamnous upshlous kai en merei me toihogurisma, entos tou opoiou uphrhon pollwn eidwn opwrofora dendra, h Fragkogiannou kata tuhhn eskontapsen eis ton dromon, ekame de mikron throun, pesousa elafrws epanw eis ena thamnon. Afhke mikran fwnhn omoian me stenagmon. Thn idian stigmhn hkouse polu plhsion ths, all' eswthen tou fraktou, dunaton gaugisma skulou. Anwrthwthh, kai me tahuteron vhma e3hkolouthhse ton dromon ths. Poios na einai? eipe mesa ths. Hkousthh tote mia fwnh vrahnh kai nustalea, all' apotomos. E! vard' ap' ta perivolia! Anoihta!... Anoihta! Anegnwrise thn fwnhn tou Tampoura, tou dragath. Enohse tote ti sunevaine. To perivoli, e3wthen tou opoiou eihe skontapsei, anhken eis ton tote Dhmarhon tou topou. Entos autou, sima eis t' alla dendra, uphrhon kai oligai keraseai, me karpous shedon wrimous hdh kai perkazontas, melanwpous eis thn astrofeggian, anamesa eis ta mauroprasina fulla. O Tampouras, mh ehwn ti allo na fula3h,

90 epeidh den hto akomh h wra twn opwrwn oute twn karpwn, ekoimato eis to perivoli tou Dhmarhou, entos mikras kaluvhs me ton skulon tou, k' efulage ta kerasia, mhn ta klepsoun oi dhmotai tou arhontos. Feugousa, hkouen akoma to gaugisma tou skulou, sughronws de autiasthh kai ths efanh oti hkouen anthrwpina vhmata. All' hpaththh. Isws hto mallon antiktupos kai hhw twn idiwn vhmatwn ths. Fainetai oti o agrofula3 molis eihe miso3upnhsei, k' evalen, ws en upnovasia, mhhanikws, thn sunhthh fwnhn tou. Eita euthus palin apekoimhthh. H Hadoula eginen afanth eis to upsos tou lofou, opisthen twn dendrwn. Ekei estathh mian stigmhn k' eteine to ous. Tipote den hkouen eimh to lalhma enos pouliou, to surigma enos nukterinou entomou, kai to fushma ths auras. Tote ths hlthan eis ton noun ta kerasia, ta opoia eihe diakrinei amudrws stilvonta eis ena kremamenon klwna, e3ehonta oligon e3w tou fraktou tou dhmarhikou perivoliou, sima ekei opou eihe skontapsei, kai eipen: Ah! Kai den ekama na ftasw ena kerasi, na drosisw to stoma mou, pou einai farmaki. 3ehasa na piw mia sta3ia nero prin fugw... As ftasw sth vrush, mia! Tote monon enthumhthh oti den eihe piei neron prin e3elthh apo to katwgaki, opou eihe dielthei oligas alla toson makras enagwnious wras. H Hadoula anelogisthh meta pikrias oti ola, kai ta mikrotera pragmata, prwthustera kai anapoda ths hrhonto eis auton ton kosmon. Ean eihe promelethsei na klepsh oliga kerasia apo thn kerasia tou Dhmarhou, tha epatei meta prosohhs, tha eplhsiaze meta profula3ews, kai tote pithanws oute o dragaths hthelen e3upnhsei, oute o skulos isws tha egaugize. Alla dia na eurethh aprosekth kai allofronousa, dia na mhn koita3h kala pou plhsion eurisketo, eparapathsen, ekame mikron thoruvon, arkounta dia na 3upnhsh ton skulon kai ton anthrwpon. Ola etsi ths hrhonto!

91 Allws, h dipsa ths twra eihen erethisthh me ton dromon ton anwferh. Ekopse fulla elaiodendrwn kai ta evale mes sto stoma ths. * * * Evadisen epi mian wran akomh. Hton hdh haraugh. Afou efthasen eis thn korufhn tou lofou, kathlthe palin eis to reuma, eis thn upwreian tou vounou me tas polushideis pleuras, to opoion ekaleito oi Vigles. Tis oide poioi palaioi kleftes efulagan agrupnoi karaoulia ekei, kai enteuthen eihe lavei to onoma. Efthasen eis thn mikran vrusin, eis thn rizan tou vounou. Efeggen hdh. Epie neron, edrosisthh, k' euthus efugen. Eis to meros ekeino esuhnazon polloi anthrwpoi, voskoi kai 3wmeritai ki alloi. H Giannou hthelen oson to dunaton na meinh aoratos. Ekathforisen akomh, eishlthen eis to katw reuma to vathu, to vainon pros thn thalassan, to kaloumenon Lehouni. Ekei efthase mikron pro ths anatolhs tou hliou. Uphrhon ekei duo h treis neromuloi, mallon palaioi kai ahrhstoi, ek twn opoiwn o eis monon edouleue, kai touto spaniws. Ola edeiknoun thn erhmian, den efaineto ihnos anthrwpou ekei. H Fragkogiannou, apo perisshn profula3in, den hthelhse na plhsiash. Apefuge to meros ekeino, evadisen opisthen lohmhs, k' efthasen eis gournan vatheian, me diauges neron, gnwsthn eis oligous. Hto meros krufon kai apathton. Eshhmatizeto ekei oionei antron, apoteloumenon ek hlohs, ek kormwn kai kissou. Antron numfhs, Druados twn paliwn hronwn h Naiados, euroushs isws katafugion ekei. Dia na katelthh tis eis thn mikran ptuhhn ths ghs, opou hto h gourna tou nerou, eprepe na ehh thn tuhhn diwktrian kai tous podas ths Fragkogiannous, tous anupodhtous, tous shismenous k' aimatwmenous apo ta knidas kai tas akanthas. Ekei ekathise n' anapauthh. Evgalen apo

92 to kalathi ths to pswmi kai to turi kai oligon kreas, ta opoia thn eihe fileusei h Marousa, epeidh thn esperan den eihe dunhthh na fagh tipote, meta ton kafe opou eihe piei eis to mageireion. Efula3e monon ta dipura, ta opoia eihe lavei apo to spiti ths korhs ths, ths Delharws. Efagen, epie droseron neron, k' elaven mikran anapsuhhn. Ekeinhn thn stigmhn, anetellen o hlios. O diskos tou efanh n' anaduetai apo ta kumata, antikru, eis to makrinon pelagos, tou opoiou mian lwrida evlepen apo thn krupthn ths h Hadoula. Ta ornea tou vounou, tou petrwdous kai hhwdous, to opoion hgeireto opisthen ths, errh3an makrous krwgmous, kai ta poulakia ths koilados, ths lohmhs, tou mikrou dasous, afhkan faidras melwdias. Mia aktis thermh, erhomenh makran, apo to flegomenon pelagos, dieshize thn puknhn fullada kai ton kisson ton periskeponta to asulon ths talaipwrou graias, kai ekamne na stilvh ws plhthos margaritwn h drosos h prwinh, h vrehousa ton plousion smaragdinon peplon, k' efugadeuen olon to rigos ths ugrasias, kai olon to kruos tou fovou tou pelidnou, ferousa proskairon elpida kai thalpos. H Giannou evgale to hrami to mallinon, to diplwmenon eis pollas ptuhas, apo to kalathi ths, to e3ediplwsen, etulihthh m' auto, k' ekline thn kefalhn pros thn rizan tou ghraiou platanou. Apekoimhthh. * * * Ths efanh eis ton upnon ths oti hton nea akoma oti o pathr ths kai h manna ths thn upandreuon, opws thn eihan upandreusei kai thn eihan nekrovlohsei ton kairon ekeinon, kai thn eproikizan, didontes auth kai ton khpon ton patrwon, opou auth eskalize k' epotize ta koukia kai

93 ta lahana, otan hton mikrh kai o pathr ths thn efileue taha, dia ton kopon ths kai ths edide tessera kefalia, kefalia apo lahanides. H Hadoula meta haras elave ta tessera futa eis tas heiras, all' otan ta ekoita3e, eiden w frikh! oti hsan tessara mikra kefalia anthrwpina nekrika.... Anetarahthh, eskirthsen, eipe Kurie Ihsou Hriste!... Palin apekoimhthh. Wneireuthh oti h mhtera ths thn sunelamvanen ep' autofwrw ereunwsan na eurh to kompodema, katw eis to isogeion, anamesa eis ta varelia kai ta pitharia kai ton swron twn kauso3ulwn ws thn eiden, emeidiase pikrws, to sunhthes meidiama ths, kai dia na thn evgalh taha apo ton kopon, ephre monahh ths to kompodema, evgale kai ths eharisen apo ta tosa tallhra, ta skulodemena, tria germanika tallhra, treis rhgines, ap' ekeinas pou eihan kai thn eikona ths Panagias epanw, me thn epigrafhn Patrona Bavariae. H Fragkogiannou, meta haras memeigmenhs m' entrophn, ephre ta tria nomismata apo ta heria ths mhtros ths, plhn otan ta ekoita3en, eiden oti ta tria ekeina nomismata, me ta proswpa pou eferon epanw, hsan tria proswpakia, mikra, pelidna, me svhsmena matakia... W! tromos! proswpakia mikrwn korasidwn! E3upnhse peritromos, dustuhhs, freniasmenh. Hton hdh meshmvria. O hlios ekaien uperanw ths kefalhs ths anwthen ths korufhs tou droserou platanou. Me olon to thalpos tou hliou, kai thn faidrothta ths hmeras ths magiatikhs, h entupwsis tou oneirou emeinen epi makron eis ton noun ths. Ths efaineto para3enon malista pws, en hmera, eide ta oneira auta. Osakis eihe koimhthh en kairw hmeras, eis thn zwhn ths, den enthumeito pote na eiden oneiron. Evre3en eis thn gournan duo dipura, ta apethhken epi ths petras ths plakarhs para to heilos tou lakkou, kai ta elhsmonhsen ekei epi

94 makron, ewsotou eluwsan apo to vre3imon k' esapisan. Meta wran, egemise thn fouhtan ths me ta psihia, kai ta efage. Otan o hlios ekruvh eis thn korufhn tou vrahwdous vounou, k' eskiasen h koilas, kai hto deilinon pleon, estenohwrhthh kai proekupse thn kefalhn e3w ths krupths. Ekoita3en anw kai katw, eis thn koilada thn katafuton apo elaiwnas, alla psuhh den efaineto. Tote eskefthh na parh to kalathi ths kai to ravdi ths, na e3elthh apo thn mikran koghhn, n' anavh epanw eis thn lohmhn thn sundendron, kai na parh siga to rema-rema, kai n' arhish palin thn Palaian ths tehnhn, na psahnh pros aneuresin votanwn ta opoia den h3eure pleon eis ti tha ths ehrhsimeuon, afou den eihe pleon eis ton kosmon allo asulon, eimh thn eirkthn kai monhn. All' omws etrefen aoriston elpida, oti tha eurisken isws 3enian eis kammian mandran h kaluvhn voskou, kai tote ta votana tha ta eprosferen eis thn suzugon tou filo3enountos ws mikron antallagma. To perissoteron omws, tha to ekamne dia na perash h vareia ania, htis evasanize thn psuhhn ths. Thn wra ekeinhn hkouse memakrusmenous kwdwniskous na hhoun, kai sughronws eide makrothen na katerhetai ena kopadi. Parauta eskefthh, oti, an den prolavh euthus na e3elthh apo thn mikran haradran, met' oligon h krupth ths th' anakalufthh e3 apantos. Dioti, kai an ta polla twn arniwn h twn erifiwn eskorpizonto, k' ephgainon na piwsin eis to mega reuma, to opoion erreen epanw mehri ths sternas, kai usteron katw apo ton neromulon, merika e3 autwn vevaiws tha kathrhonto eis to mikron reuma, to geiton ths gournas. Eita ta zwa tha eskiazonto, tha e3afnizonto, tha wpisthohwroun phdwnta, kai o voskos, ostis kai an hto, tha thn anekalupte, tha epara3eneueto, kai isws tha sunelamvanen upopsias.

95 To kaluteron ara tha hto n' antimetwpish me thn afeukton prospoihsin, me to pseudos eis ta heilh, thn parousian tou voskou. Allws hto polu pithanon, o agrodiaitos ekeinos na mhn eihe pro hmerwn eidhseis apo thn polin, kai na mhn egnwrize tipote peri tou diwgmou, ton opoion upeferen h Fragkogiannou. IG' Met' oligon tw onti, afou h Giannou e3hlthe ths krupths, kai vainousa para to reuma eneuen edw k' ekei anazhtousa votana, eplhsiase to kopadi twn provatwn meikton meta tinwn aigwn kai o voskos enefanisthh. H Giannou ton anegnwrisen amesws. Hton o kaloumenos Giannhs Lurigkos. Ama eide thn graian, arhise na fwnazei makrothen: Kai pou s' auton ton kosmo, theia-Garoufalia (O Lurigkos anegnwrise to proswpon, alla, fainetai, den enthumeito kalws to onoma). Kala pou s' hura!... O Theos s' esteile! Ti na trehh? eipe mesa ths h Fragkogiannou. Kati thelei na mou ph. Vevia, o anthrwpos den tha ehh akousei tipota gia ta pathia ta dika mou. 3ereis tipota, theia-Garoufalia? epanelaven o Lurigkos plhsiesteron erhomenos. Ti na 3erw, guie mou? eipen upokritikws h Fragkogiannou, apehousa na e3agagh ton anthrwpon ek ths planhs oson afora to vaptistikon ths onoma, eite epeferen: Apo ta pses leipw ap' to hwrio. Hrtha na mazw3w votana sta remata. Akouse theia-Garoufalia, epanelave me aplothta o anthrwpos. Apopse gennhsame, sto kaluvi. Gennhsate?

96 Sparganisame! Einai to trito koritsaki pou mas hrthe sta penta hronia... olo koritsoudia, to ermo! Na sas zhsh! eipen h graia. Kalh sarantish ths familias sou! Ws toso, to koritsaki hrthe ston kosmo arrwsto, ki olo klaiei, kai sto vuzi den kollaei. K' h manna tou h kapserh, toso kala den einai... Olo kapsh kai sekleti, to ermo! Alhtheia? Na htheles na mas ekanes th harh, na pernouses ap' to kaluvi, na ekanes kanena pseutogiatriko, theia-Garoufalia?... Ekeinh h pethera mou de felaei tipota, ti sou kamh? Ma twra konteuei na nuhtwsh... eipe me upokrisian h Fragkogiannou. Kai mesa ths elege: To riziko mou einai plio! Wh The mou! As nuhtwsh... An thelhs, koimasai sto kaluvi. H Fragkogiannou estathh ws na edistazen. All' hton etoimh na sunainesh. Thn idian stigmhn, me thn teleutaian aktina tou hliou, htis ehruswne thn korufhn tou anatolikou lofou me tous elaiwnas tous pollous, k' ekamne na stilvh to fullwma twn elaiwn, efanhsan duo anthrwpoi katerhomenoi dromaioi apo ena monopati meta3u duo elaiwnwn. H Fragkogiannou tous eide prwth k' etroma3en. O hlios, ostis katelampe ta fulla, ekamne na gualizoun kai ta komvia ths stolhs twn ta pro makrou hronou agualista. Hsan oi hwrofulakes. Parauta h Fragkogiannou estrefe ta nwta pros ton Giannhn ton Lurigkon, k' etre3e pros thn rizan tou petrwdous vounou, pros dusmas. O voskos efwna3en ekplhktos: Pou pas, theia-Garoufalia?

97 Siwpa! paidi mou, tou esuri3en entromos h gunh, an agapas ton Hristo! Erhontai tahtikoi!... Na mhn phs pws me eides! Tahtikoi? Na mh me marturhseis, paidi mou, hanomai! Hsuhase!... An glutwsw twra, thn nuhta tha' rthw sto kaluvi sas... Kai afou evgale ta pasoumakia ths, ta opoia e3erhomenh apo thn gournan eihe foresei, kai ta erripse mesa sto kalathi, arhise n' anarrihatai elafra patousa, anupodhth, me to kalathi ths peri ton aristeron agkwna, me to ravdi ths eis thn heira thn de3ian, ton krhmnon ton anwferh, opou monon ta oliga erifia, osa hsan meta3u twn provatwn tou Lurigkou, tha hdunanto n' anarrihhthwsi. Met' oliga deuterolepta, afou anhlthen eis ufos oligwn orguiwn, ekrupteto opisthen tou prwtou proehontos vrahou, k' egineto afanth. Euthus katopin oi duo hwrofulakes, oitines dia na fthasoun ews to meros opou eurisketo o voskos hto anagkh na hamhlwsoun kai dielthoun to reuma, meta3u ths puknhs lohmhs kai thn peristasin tauthn eihen epwfelhthh opws fugh h Fragkogiannou efthasan plhsion tou Lurigkou. O voskos en tw meta3u ekoitaze ta aigoprovata tou, ta efwna3e: Tivi! tivi!... oi! oi!... Eprospathei na ta summazepsh kai ta ferh pros ton anhforon, dia na ta odhghsh pros thn rahin thn meshmvrinhn, opou eurisketo h stanh tou. Oi duo andres ehairethsan ton Lurigkon. Eite ton hrwthsan an eide keinh thn paliogunaika, pws thn len, thn Fragkogiannou. O Lurigkos eipen ohi. O eis twn hwrofulakwn uvrise ton voskon. Psemata les! Egw thn eida!... Oute epemenen oti eihen idei ton iskion, ton diakamon h to dianema, kathws elege, ths graias, n' anarrihatai ws gatta eis to upsos tou krhmnou. O allos den eihen idei oute ishurizeto tipote.

98 O prwtos, me ta tsarouhia tou, edokimase n' anarrihhthh eis ton vrahon. Alla meta tria vhmata katekrhmnisthh k' epese, ktuphsas elafrws eis to gonu. Ekei opou eihen anavh h Fragkogiannou, hto to vounon tou Kourouph, voreinon, vrahwdes, apathton, kai tous podas tou efilei kai eplhtte to kuma tou pelagous. H thea hnoigeto pros thn akthn ths Makedonias, thn Halkidikhn, kai ton megan Athwna. H thesis opou efthasen h katadiwkomenh gunh ekaleito to Kohuli. Anthrwpinos pous spaniws epatei ekei. Monon otan apeplanato h evrahwneto kammia gida, tote kaneis voskos erripsokinduneue n' anelthh pros thn avaton ekeinhn skopian. H Fragkogiannou anekalupse mikron sphlaion, olon anoikton eis thn thean tou pelagous, to opoion hto to kuriws Kohuli, k' ekathisen anetws eis thn hivada ekeinhn. Hto shedon vevaia oti oi diwktai ths den tha thn efthanon ekei. Ean tuhon kaneis ap' autous hto toson mannas guios, wste n' apofasish kai na katorthwsh n' anarrihhthh eis ton vrahon, auth eihen etoimhn kai thn upohwrhsin. Egnwrizen en allo monopati, eswthen ths diplhs korufhs tou petrwdous vounou, shizon eis duo tas sustadas twn vrahwn, to opoion, gnwston eis monous tous aigovoskous twn merwn toutwn, efere kat' eutheian eis tas mandras kai tas katoikias twn. Ekathisen eis thn koghhn tou vrahou, katw apo tous podas ths ehousa thn vohn kai thn melwdian twn kumatwn, kai anw ths kefalhs ths hkoue thn klagghn twn aetwn kai tous krwgmous tou ierakos. Kathws hplwthh h nukta, efeggovolhsen apo astra to ahanes sterewma, kai o ahr o euwdhs tha hton ikanos na valsamwsh kai auta ths gunaikos tauths ta pathia. To koghuloeides antron hto monon ws tria mpoia anw apo to kuma, all' o vrahos ews katw hto toson kathetos, wste adunaton hto vrotos anhr n' anelthh h na katelthh.

99 Hto thesis kalh monon dia na pesh tis eis thn thalassan na pnigh, ean to eihen apofasisei. H graia evgalen apo to kalathi ths ta oliga pa3imadia, osa ths eihon meinei, elaias kai turion, k' edeipnhsen. Eutuhws to flaski ths hto gemato neron, epeidh to deilinon to eihe gemisei apo thn gournan. Ekleise ta ommata, kai hrhise na nanarizetai monh ths, upopsithurizousa ena tragoudi wsan moirologi, alla den eihen upnon. Epanhlthon palin kai ths esthsan poliorkian oi fovoi kai ta fantasmata. Ton klauthmurismon ekeinon tou nhpiou ton hkoue suhna mesa ths, vathia sta swthika ths. To musthriwdes touto klauma mataiws edokimaze na katasigash me to asma to paraponetikon kai remvwdes, to opoion upepsithurize: Mannoula mou, hthela na paw, na fugw, na misepsw, ton rizikou mou apo makria thn porta n' agnantepsw. Sto skoteino vasileio ths Moiras na pathsw, k' kei na vrw th moira mou, kai na thn erwthsw... Ths hlthen eis ton noun oti, isws oi tahtikoi na thn ekunhgoun kai thn nukta akomh. Ean autoi anhrhonto epanw, eis ta mandria twn voskwn, k' emenan ekei na dianuktereusoun?... Mhpws den eihan hlwrhn muzhthran oi voskoi, h mhpws den eihan gala kai strogguliata, h akoma kai kottes dia straggalisma kai pshsimon, eis proheiron 3ulinhn souvlan? Ean tuhon kaneis apo tous voskous egelato, k' edeiknuen eis tous hwrofulakas to mesa monopati, tote h apohwrhsis ths den tha ekopteto? Kai hto apeirws duskolwteron na katavh, opothen anevh, ektos an egineto pteropous k' efeuge... Eihe mega endiaferon na emanthane ti tou eipan tou Lurigkou oi duo tahtikoi, kai ti autos eipe. To kaluvi tou Lurigkou, to egnwrize, hton

100 epanw sthn rahin, opisthen tou vounou, kai apeihen ws eikosi lepta ths wras. Twra, vevaia, o Lurigkos tha eihe mathei to diati auth katediwketo na sullhfthh kai dia poian pra3in kathgoreito. Kai me ti moutra na parousiasthh, tote, sto kaluvi auth? Alla pithanon o idios na mhn ekoimato sto kaluvi, alla mallon eis thn mandran ths agelhs tou, htis tha eurisketo ekei kapou, ohi polu makran. Kai tote auth tha euriske tas duo gunaikas, thn lehw kai thn mhtera ths, tha tas e3afnize... Ti na kamh? Poian apofasin na lavh? Apenarkwthh, kai hwris na koimatai entelws, wneireueto. Ths efanh oti eurisketo allou, eis allon topon. Sima eis ton Ai-Giannhn ton Krufon, ekeinon ton Agion ostis egiatreue tous krufous ponous, k' edeheto thn e3agoreusin twn krufwn amartiwn ekei e3afna eurethh. Antikruze ton khpon tou Perivola, me thn gunaika thn katakleiston eis thn kaluvhn, thn arrwsthn. Evlepe thn thuran tou fragmenou khpou, to phgadi, thn sternan, to magganon. Hkousen eukrinws na e3erhetai apo thn sternan mia vatheia, polu vatheia, allokotos voh. Etarasseto to neron ths sternas, me paflasmon trikumias, efwnaze, kai shedon wmilei ws anthrwpos. Auth diekrinen enargws thn le3in thn opoian eprofere to laloun ekeino neron: Fonissa!... Fonissa!... Anetinahthh frissousa, e3upnhse, kai dietupwse pros eauthn, ws eis paramilhma puretou, mian allokoton erwthsin: Taha to aima to pnigmeno fwnazei, opws kai to aima pou huthhke? Eita euthus sunhlthen eis eauthn, edokimase palin na proferh ths proseuhhs ta kataprauntika logia: Kurie Ihsou... Thn idian stigmhn anepolhse ta lhsmonhmena logia enos tropariou, to opoion eihen akousei pollas foras eis thn neothta ths na psallh enas gerwn iereus: Ihsou glukutate Hriste... Ihsou makrothume! Tote euthus ths hlthe palin o upnos, vathus kai diarkesteros. Kai tote wneireuthh oionei oti e3anaezh olhn thn perasmenhn zwhn ths. Kai

101 parado3ws, mesa eis ton upnon ths, evlepe ta epiloipa ek twn oneirwn ths parelthoushs hmeras. Evlepen ohi pleon oti upandreueto h proikizeto, alla oti egenna, kai ths efanh oti eihe kai tas treis koras ths sughronws, thn Delharw, thn Amersan kai thn Kriniw, mikras, shedon omhlikas ws na hsan tridumoi. Oti ai treis, kratoumenai ek twn heirwn, istanto emprosthen ths, kai ths ezhtoun thwpeias, aspasmous kai fileumata. Aifnhs, ta proswpa twn, alloiwthenta, den wmoiazan pleon ws twn triwn thugaterwn ths, alla proselavon olous tous harakthras twn triwn ekeinwn korasiwn, twn pnigmenwn, kai, ws komvologion ekremasthhsan aifnhs apo ton laimon ths. Egw eimai h Matoula, elegen h mia. K' egw h Mulsouda, h miklh, epsellizen h allh. K' egw eimai h 3enoula, elegen h trith. Filhse mas! Pare mas! Hmeis ta koritsia sou! Esu mas gennhses, mas ekames! Mas gennhse... ston allo kosmo, eprosthese sarkastikws h 3enoula. Horepse mas! Dwse mas mam! Kane mas nani! Tragouda mas! Kamarwse mas! W! alhtheia, ths efaineto toson fusikon to pragma! Autai ai treis mikrai korasides hsan ta tekna ths! Opoios ormathos empsuhos, anthrwpinos!... Nekrwmenos, varus apo to udwr, afrismenos!... Pws th' anteihen h graia Hadoula na ferh, eis olon ton kairon, olon ton frikwdh touton ormathon kremasmenon apo ton trahhlon ths! E3upnhse paralogismenh, frissousa eshkwthh, ephre to ravdi ths, to kalathi ths, kai apefasise na fugh ekeithen. Edw eis thn koilhn hivada tou vrahou, eis thn vohn tou erhmou aigialou, uphrhon polla fantasmata. O topos hton stoiheiwmenos. As fugw ki apodw! Parauta epanhlthon eis ton noun ths oi logismoi ths oi alloi, oi thetikwteroi. Ean tuhon oi duo hwrofulakes eihon anakalupsei to krufo monopati, to kaluteron hto na tre3h pro tou kindunou, kai an tous sunhnta kath' odon, pithanon na euriske die3odon opisthen ths sustados

102 twn vrahwn, heiroteron de tha hto an thn apekleian edw eis authn thn stenouran, eis to Kohuli. Etre3e ton dromiskon ton anwferh, eis thn astrofeggian, anamesa eis tous vrahous, kai meta hmiseian wran efthasen asthmainousa eis ton oikiskon tou Lurigkou. Estathh dia na lavh anapnoh, eita ekrouse thn thuran. Peri enos monou hto vevaia, oti oi duo tahtikoi euriskonto pantou allou, all' ohi eis auto to kaluvi, opou uphrhe gunh lehw me thn suntrofian ths mhtros ths. Ean emeinan thn nukta eis to vounon, tha euriskonto eis en apo ta mandria twn poimniwn. H graia, h penthera tou Lurigkou, htis den eihen upnon na koimhthh, opws den ekoimato kai h Fragkogiannou pro hmerwn, otan esuntrofeue thn lehw, thn korhn ths, eshkwthh kai hrwthse? Poios einai? M' esteile o Giannhs, aphnthsen e3wthen ths kleisths thuras h Hadoula, hwris na eiph t' onoma ths, gia na kamw giatrika ths lehwnas. Tetoian wra? Den mporesa nwritera na 'rthw. Pou ton hures? Katw sto Lehouni, sto rema. H graia apesure ton mohlon kai hnoi3e thn thuran. Autoi den 3eroun tipote, eskefthh kath' eauthn h Fragkogiannou s' autes pernaei h mpogia mou akoma. Ama epathse ton poda mesa, kai arhise na feretai ws oikokura. Eis to fws tou kandhliou, tou kaiontos empros eis en palaion eikonisma, triptuhon, feron ton Hriston en tw mesw, kai diaforous agious eis tas duo pterugas, ephge kat' eutheian eis thn estian, sima eis thn strwmnhn ths lehous, epi tou dapedou, edokimase thn fwtian, kai eiden oti hton misosvhsmenh. Ephre 3ularia kai 3hroklada, apo ena swron para

103 thn gwnian, erripsen oliga eis thn estian, efushse k' e3anapse thn floga. Elaven ena imvriki, to opoion eurisketo epi ths estias, to egemise neron, epsa3en eis to kalathi ths, ephre duo h tria klwnarakia votanwn, ta erripse mesa, k' evale to aggeion eis to pur. Eita, neuousa pros to meros ths lehwnas, eipe siga eis thn graian: Mhn thn 3upnas... San 3upnhsh, ustera na to pih auto. H gunh aphnthse dia neumatos. H Fragkogiannou e3hkolouthei na fusa to pur. H graia, en amhhania, epethumei na thn erwthsh kai palin pws eurethh ekei toiauthn wran, alla den etolma. H korh ths ekamne kakh lehwsia, k' efoveito mhn e3upnhsh e3afna kai thoruvhthh. To thugatrion, mikron rakos, duo hmerwn zwhs, to opoion eihe elthei ki auto eis ton kosmon di' amartias kai vasana, ekoimato eis thn koitida tou, all' h anapnoh tou hto duskolos kai hkoueto en mesw ths siwphs. Apo kairou eis kairon, otan to fushma tou egineto opwsoun sfodroteron, kai to vrefos efaineto etoimon na 3upnhsh kai na fwna3h, h mammh to enanourize di' enos monosullavou, Koi, koi, koi, koi!, efaineto de tw onti h sullavh auth (htis fainetai na einai h prwth sullavh tou koimhsou!, h auth h riza tou keimai), efaineto, legw, pollakis epanalamvanomenh, na e3askh parado3on upovolhn kai gohteian. H wra parhrheto. Eihon lalhsei hdh duo foras ta ornithia. H Poulia eihen upervh pro pollou to mesouranhma. Apo thn antikrinhn korufhn ths rahhs, opou hsan alla kaluvia katoikoumena apo tas oikogeneias voskwn, hkousthhsan memakrusmena lalhmata. Eis tauta aphnthsen euthus to lalhma twn peteinwn apo ton ornithwna tou kaluviou tou Lurigkou. H lehwna e3upnhse. H manna ths ths edwken na pih to farmakon, to opoion eihe paraskeuasei h Fragkogiannou. Kouragio, kopela m', eipen auth me praeian fwnhn.

104 Pou vrethhkes edw? eipen h lehwna. Thn ekoitaze me aporian, k' eduskoleueto na thn anagnwrish. O Theos m' esteile, eipe meta pepoithhsews h Giannou. Kala pou hrthes, edhlwse tote kai h graia. Tw onti, auth, an kai eihe para3eneuthh katarhas, eskefthh kai anegnwrisen oti h parousia ths Giannous hto mia parhgoria eis thn mona3ian twn. ID' Peri ta prwta glukoharagmata, to vrefos eihen e3upnhsei, ki arhise na klauthmurizh. H Fragkogiannou ekame kai palin koumanto. Esumvouleuse thn lehw na valh to paidion eis to vuzi, dia na dokimash an katevh to gala. Sughronws hkousthh krotos e3wthen, k' euthus katopin mia fwnh. Gria!... Gria! koimaste? Hton o Lurigkos, k' ekalei thn penthera tou. H graia egnwrise thn fwnhn, eshkwthh k' etre3en eis thn thuran. Ela na mou dwshs ena heri, efwna3en o Lurigkos. O paraguios leipei k' eimai monahos. O Giannhs fainetai oti den eskefthh kan na erwthsh dia th lehw, thn gunaika tou, kai dia to teknon tou, pws eihon. Hsthaneto monon epeigousan anagkhn, k' ekraze thn pentheran tou na ton vohthhsh eis tas poimenikas ergasias ths prwias, dhladh isws eis to 3emandriasma, to armegma, kai ta loipa. Den mporei kaneis monahos tou, to ermo!... Prepei na 'hh tessera heria! eprosthesen ws autodikaiologoumenos.

105 H graia e3hlthe trehousa. H Fragkogiannou emeine monh, me thn lehw kai to vrefos. H neara gunh eihe lagokoimhthh palin, kai den eihen antilhfthh kalws thn apousian ths mhtros ths. Met' oligas stigmas e3upnhse kai eipe: Pou paei h manna, tha pw? H Fragkogiannou, fronousa oti to kaluteron hton h lehwna na koimatai gia na hsuhazh, kai gnwrizousa oti h apokrisis h didomenh eis tous puressontas kai eis tous ws en upnovasia parimilountas vlaptei mallon h wfelei, den aphnthse tipote. H lehw euthus kai palin apekoimhthh. To thugatrion ek neou arhise na klauthmurizh polu trufera kai paraponetika, mehris ohlhrothtos. H Fragkogiannou, htis eihe lhsmonhsei olas tas tupseis, tas opoias eihen aisthanthh algeinws upo tas melanas pterugas twn oneirwn ths, kai esparasseto kai palin apo tous onuhas ths pragmatikothtas, arhise na skeptetai mesa ths: Ah! dikio ehei, o kahmenos, o Lurigkos... Olo koritsoudia, to ermo, olo koritsoudia!... Kai ti 3alafrwma tha hton twra gi' auton, gia thn amoirh th gunaika tou, na tou to 'pairne twra, o Megalodunamos!... auto kan pou 'nai mikro, kai den ehei n' afhsh megalon kahmo pisw tou! Thn stigmhn ekeinhn ths hlthen eis ton noun mia mikra aporia pou euriskonto t' alla korasia tou Lurigkou, ta megalutera. Tote enthumhthh oti prin n' anavh eis to kaluvi, opou eurisketo twra, to opoion hto hamhlon anwgeion, eperasen e3w apo thn thuran enos allou mikroterou kaluviou, to opoion hto hamogeion, kai hto ktismenon dipla, kollhta me to prwton. Hto to mikron kaluvaki ths graias, ths pentheras tou Lurigkou, k' ekei mesa ths eihe fanh oti hkouen anapnoas koimwmenwn, roghalismata. Ekei vevaia tha ekoimwnto, mazi me thn mikran theian tous thn agamon, ta alla korasia tou Lurigkou.

106 Ws en allofrosunh kai en planh oneirou, eteine thn heiran pros to liknon, entos tou opoiou wloluze to mikron... Ekame heironomian ws dia na shhmatish tous daktulous ths eis dilavida, eis arpaghn kai straggalian. Hsthaneto thn stigmhn ekeinhn agrian haran na pni3h to mikron thugatrion... Ths hlthen eis ton noun oti hto avaptiston, kai an to epnige, tha eihe diplhn amartian... H skepsis auth epi mian stigmhn thn anehaitisen, all' omws apefasise na uperphdhsh ton fragmon touton... Para ena daktulon, h heir ths epsaue ton laimon tou mikrou plasmatos... Thn stigmhn ekeinhn hkousthh fwnh, vhma, krotos, eis to mikron hagiati e3w, kai h thura, thn opoian h graia, h penthera tou Lurigkou anahwrhsasa den eihe kleisei me to mandalon, alla monon thn eihe geirei, hnoihthh peran kai peran, endidousa eis wthhsin e3wthen. Edw einai, hrwthsen o emfanistheis anthrwpos, edw einai to spiti tou Lurigkou, tou tsopanh? Hton hwrofula3, me to hitwnion misokoumvwmenon, fouskwton epi tou sththous, me to kasketon strava, me strimmenon ton mustaka, kai me thn kapan diplwmenhn makrunari epi tou aristerou wmou. Mesa sto kaluvi, h kandhla etremosvhnen empros eis ta eikonismata. H fwtia eihe kalufthh kai palin apo thn tefran. To luhnari svhston ekremato apo to mikron rafi ths estias. Hto skotos. E3w, eihen e3hmerwsei, kai para duo lepta o hlios th' anetellen. O anthrwpos den evlepen eimh amudras skias mesa. Thn lehwnan eis thn strwmnhn ths, ws amauron ogkon katakeimenhn, to vrefos to opoion esaleue kai anasainen entos ths skafhs, htis ehrhsimeuen ws liknon... kai thn Fragkogiannou kathhmenhn ws fantasma, kai teinousan thn heiran pros to liknon.

107 H Fragkogiannou emeine me thn heira tetamenhn. Thn katelave frikh, tromos, zalh. Entos deuteroleptou hlthen eis eauthn, kai eide ton foveron kindunon. Akrivws opisthen ths hto en mikron parathuron vlepon pros vorran, uposathron, notismenon kai kakokleismenon. Ws na eihe tinahthh apo ekrh3in, estrafh mhhanikws, anoi3e to parathuron, k' ephdhsen e3w. Epesen epanw eis horta kai ahura, kai o doupos ths ptwsews ths oute hkousthh. To hamhlon parathuron molis aneihe mishn orguian apo tou edafous. Monon eihe 3ehasei na parh mazi to ravdi ths kai to kalathi ths, ta opoia ws toson euriskonto dipla ths, eis to patwma. Hto a3ion aporias, pws toson eihe sastisei. Ta enthumhthh akrivws thn stigmhn kath' hn arhise na trehh meta to phdhma ths, k' etsi ths hrheto an hto tropos, na gurish pisw na ta parh, kai na stravwthoun, na mhn thn idoun oi diwktai ths. Ws toson etrehen, etrehen... eihen eiselthh mesa eis to dasos, tou opoiou ta diafora monopatia ths hsan polu gnwsta. Den egurize na idh opisw ths... Hto vevaia oti oi duo tahtikoi th' arghsoun na ennohsoun ti sunevh, kai na valthoun na thn kunhghsoun. Tw onti oi duo ekeinoi andres ths dhmosias anagkhs den enohsan kat' arhas ti eihe sumvh. Tous eihe steilei katepeigon opisw o eirhnodikhs, apo koinou me ton paredron ton astunomon, ostis, eis osa apefaineto o empneusmenos ekeinos leitourgos ths Themidos, elege pantote nai, kai me ton enwmotarhhn, ostis den elege pote ohi, tous eihe steilei na upagoun eis thn agrotikhn oikian tou Iwannou Lurigkou, dia na ton proskalesoun na emfanisthh enwpion twn arhwn, k' en anagkh na ton feroun dia ths vias, epeidh, e3' oswn eihon dihghthh thn esperan ths proteraias, eis thn polihnhn, oi duo hwrofulakes, oi eirhmenoi fwsthres sunelavon thn uponoian oti o Lurigkos eneiheto eis thn

108 upothesin ths fughs ths gunaikos Hadoulas, hhras Iwannou Fragkou, hristianhs kai ekteloushs oikiaka erga, thn opoian elegon oti eihon idei n' anarrihatai eis ton krhmnon tou petrwdous vounou oi duo stratiwtikoi andres. Othen amesws, peri orthron vathun, afou ekoimhthhsan epi duo h treis wras, forountes olhn thn stolhn twn, oi duo hwrofulakes, eis ta isogeia ths dhmarhias, ta gemata apo vlatoudes, sarantapodarouses kai samamithia, ta opoia ehrhsimeuon ws kazarma (h kazarma auth hton o tromos twn aguiopaidwn, twn moshomagkwn, ws kai olwn twn ofeiletwn tou dhmosiou), eis en sfurigma tou enwmotarhou eshkwthhsan, ephran tis kapes twn, kai to evalan dromon dia to vounon. Estellonto idiws dia na feroun ton Lurigkon (kathws kai panta allon voskon, ton opoion tha h3htazon oi idioi, kai ostis tha elege mperdemena logia, efrontise na prosthesh o eirhnodikhs), alla pro pantwn dia na muristhoun ta ihnh ths Fragkogiannous kai katorthwsoun na thn anakalupsoun. Dia touto eihon plhre3ousiothta na psa3oun ola ta mandria kai tis stanes, kai na e3etasoun olous tous voskous tou vounou. Othen, dia kalon kai dia kakon, ephran mazi kai tis kapes twn. Otan o prwtos hwrofula3 wthhse thn thuran tou oikiskou, kai eide skotos kai skian mesa, hkouse ton kroton tou voreinou parathurou anoigomenou, eiden aktinas fwtos ekeithen na eisduwsi, k' euthus en mauron swma na fratth tas aktinas tautas, kurton, sunestalmenon, amorfon, kai hkouse ton asthenh doupon ths ptwsews. Tote to parathuron emeinen anoikton, kai eis tas diplas diastauroumenas aktinas tas dia ths thuras kai tou parathurou, eide kathara thn gunaika thn lehw, e3aplwmenhn epi ths klinhs ths. Ti trehei edw? efwna3en ekplhktos o anthrwpos. H lehwna e3upnhse, k' eprofere me asthenh fwnhn:

109 Manna, esu 'sai... Hrthes? IE' Epanw, eis ta Kampia, eis to upshlon oropedion, otan efthase lahaniasmenh, 3eglwssasmenh h Fragkogiannou, estathh, egurise pros ton kathforon, opothen eihen elthei, k' ekoitaze mhn idh h akoush skian h vhma trehontos lagwnikou, hwrofulakos. Den efaineto tipote. All' omws den hsthaneto en asfaleia. Estathh ws afhrhmenh k' eskepteto. Ekamne kati ws mathhmatikon upologismon. Elogariaze ton hronon osos th' aphteito ws eggista, dia na sunelthoun apo thn ekplh3in twn oi duo tahtikoi (ton deuteron den ton eiden, alla ton emanteue), dia na ennohsoun ti sunevh, isws na zhthsoun plhroforias (h lehwna tha etromazen adika, kai den tha h3eure tipote na tous eiph alla tote, tha etrehon isws pros thn stanhn, opou eurisketo o Lurigkos k' h penthera tou? tosw perissoteron th' argoporousan) eita na peta3oun tis kapes twn katw, kai na to valoun sta podia na thn kunhghsoun. All' eidan taha akrivws, h enohsan, h egnwrizan to monopati to opoion eihe parei auth? Kai mhpws eihe tre3ei olhn thn wran ena kai ton auton dromon? Katarhas eihe strafh de3ia, ws na hthele na parh ton kathforon, eita estrafh aristera, k' etre3e ton anhforon me olon to meionekthma to opoion eihen o anhforikos dromos dia na lahaniash tis, otan katadiwkomenos viazetai na trehh. All' ean auth tha elahaniaze, mhpws ekeinoi, kaitoi neoi, den upekeinto eis to pathhma touto? H Hadoula h3eure malista, kata sumptwsin, oti o eis twn duo ekeinwn newn epashen apo asthma... Den hto polus kairos afotou

110 autos eihe parakalesei ton gamvron ths na eiph ths grias na tou kamh ena mantzouni dia to noshma touto. Alla me olhn thn ekdouleusin authn, h Giannou h3euren oti den eprepe na perimenei eleos apo ton hwrofulaka. O anthrwpos ekamne to kathhkon tou. As eleipan ai peripoihseis tas opoias tha ths ekamnan, an auth epefte sta heria twn, kai an emellon na thn onomazoun stauromanna!! Eihe parathrhsei allote, eis tas peripeteias kai ta vasana osa eihen upoferei e3aitias tou uiou ths, tou Mourtou, oti to eidos autwn twn anthrwpwn tote malista thumwnoun otan o katazhtoumenos anthistatai, otan authadiazh, polu de perissoteron otan feugh, kai anagkazwntai autoi na ton kunhgoun, wste na vgainh h psuhh tous anapoda... W! vevaia ehoun dikaion tote na sklhrunwntai, kai na ginwntai thhria anhmera othen kai h Fragkogiannou, feugousa, kai viazousa autous na trehoun den eperimenen eleos ap' autous. Ekei opou istato sullogismenh, akouei vhmata opisthen ths, apo to meros to antitheton pros ekeino e3 ou auth hlthe. Strefetai kai vlepei ena anthrwpon, ena voskon. H Fragkogiannou ton anegnwrisen. Hto o kaloumenos Kampanahmakhs. Hrheto me pathmata lo3a, akolouthoumenos apo ton skulon tou, ostis egrulisen ama eide thn gunaika. All' o afenths tou ton emalwse. Eide thn Fragkogiannou k' estathh. Hrheto apo to kaluvi k' ephgainen eis to mandri tou. Upshlos, melapsos, ishnos, eurusternos, thn komhn kai to geneion me hrwma ahurou kapsalismenou, kratwn thn ravdon tou thn kurthn, upshlhn isa me to mpoi tou, estathh enwpion ths Fragkogiannous. O anthrwpos efaineto na eurisketai eis megalhn thlipshn kai adhmonian. A! pouthe auto to kalo! eipe me thn fwnhn tou thn dusdiakriton kai traheian, sfiggwn tous odontas enw wmilei. Tom' s' agroikhsa, tamam se proshfera, kura-Giannou... O Geramphsse stelnei!

111 Ti les, guie mou? eipe me to upokritikon hthos ths h Hadoula. Kala pou s' estaurwsa! Eipa, authnh einai kein' h kalh gunaika kat' ap' th hwra pou grounizei ta giatrika kai diwhnei kathe grousouzia alarga! Tom' s' apeikasa, monokopanias s' egrounisa!.... Ma de 3er's tipote, kura-Giannou m'? Ti trehei, paidi mou? Megalo zarari m' eurhke na 'hw to sumpatheio, theia-Giannou! Trano, atuho nterti! H familia m', o3' apo loou sou, vghke thn nuhta pros nerou ths, o3 ap' to kaluvi, kura-Giannou m', k' egurise pisw kaka ki ade3ia... Ntourma vghke, k' egurise monokopania, htuphmenh, 3eglwssasmenh, agrounisth... Htuphthhke, makria apo logou sou... H glwssa ths kremasmenh, o3' ap' to siagoni ths, th lalia ths thn ehase, thn hure kakh thermasia kai kruada ki aspasmoi. Keitetai sto strwma misopethamenh! Alhtheia? W, amarties!... Kai pote egine auto? Prohtes to vradu, thn nuhta, ta mesanuhta, theia-Giannou! O3ou apo loou sou, na' hw to sumpatheio... Ntourma vghke o3' ap' to kaluvi, k' egurise pisw htuphmenh, palaviasmenh... Kopiazeis ws to kaluvi mparim, twra edw pou s' estaurwsa, kura-Giannou m! Monaha na thn thwrhshs, n' agroikhshs se ti hali vrisketai... Elmpet, kalo tha ths kamhs me ta giatrika sou, tha diw3hs kathe enantio, ena k' ena! Kai pws ths hrthe auto? eipen h Fragkogiannou. Poios 3erei ti amarties, kura-Giannou m'. O Geramphs to 3erei. H Hadoula eskefthh epi stigmhn. Eita eipe: Kala tha paw apokei, twra-twra. Na 'hhs pollh zwh kai kalh psuhh, theia-Giannou! eipen o Kampanahmakhs. O Geramphs s' esteile.

112 * * * Afou apemakrunthh o Kampanahmakhs, h Fragkogiannou eskefthh oti tha eihe katafugion, toulahiston, dia thn epomenhn nuhta kai oti to kaluteron tha hto na krufthh thn hmeran eis kammian lohmhn h eis kammian sphlian, opou oi hwrofulakes adunaton tha hto na thn eurwsi. Ephre ton kathforon, kathlthen eis ths Agallianous to rema. Estathh na pih neron eis mian vrusin. Ekei sunhnthsen ena geronta monahon, ton pater Iwasaf, khpouron tou monasthriou tou Euaggelismou, to opoion diegrafe pros ta anw thn semnhn katatomhn tou, eis thn korufhn tou rematos. H Fragkogiannou eihe kathisei na lavh anapsuhhn plhsion ths droseras phghs, esthri3e thn kefalhn eis thn heira ths, efaineto vuthismenh eis logismous, kai sughronws autiazeto k' eteine to ous, fantazomenh kata pasan stigmhn oti hkoue vhmata twn hwrofulakwn. O pater-Iwasaf hlthe na gemish ena stamnion udatos, kai idwn thn Fragkogiannou thn ekalhmerise. Pou vrethhkes edw, gerontissa? Kati sullogismenh se vlepw.... Ah! guie mou!... eipen h Fragkogiannou. Ehw vasana kai pathia... Ta vasana den leipoun apo ton kosmo, gerontissa... Oso kai na kamh o anthrwpos, den mporei na t' apofugh... Ah! pater Giasafe, eipen en thlivera diahuseih Fragkogiannou. Na 'moun pouli na petaga!!! Tis dwsei moi pterugas wsei peristeras? eipen o Iwasaf, enthumhtheis ton psalmon. Hthela na efeuga ap' ton kosmo, geronta mou... Den mporw na upoferw plia!

113 Emakrunas fugadeuousa kai hulisthhs en th erhmw eipen palin o gerwn monahos. Megalh fourtouna m' hure, geronta mou, kai megalh ligopsuhia m' ekollhse. O Theos na se glutwsh, korh mou, apo oligopsuhias kai apo kataigidos, epeferen o Iwasaf, sunehizwn ton psalmon. Ap' thn kakia, ap' thn kakoglwssia, ap' to fthono, den mporei na glutwsh enas anthrwpos. Katapontison, Kurie, kai katadiele tas glwssas autwn, oti eidon anomian kai antilogian en th polei, eperanen o pater Iwasaf. Eita afou egemise to stamni tou eipe: An perashs apo tous khpous, gerontissa, fwna3e me na se filepsw kanena marouli ki oliga koukia. Kai apemakrunthh. Thn esperan h Fragkogiannou eurisketo eis thn Pera-Rahhn, eis to kaluvi tou Kampanahmakh. H suzugos tou voskou, gunh pleon h triakonta etwnkai mhthr pente teknwn, ekeito epi ths klinhs. Hto eis athlian katastasin. To moutro ths eihe stravwsei apo thn neurikhn prosvolhn, h glwssa ths ekremato e3w tou stomatos, k' e3epempen anarthrous fwnas. Pws sou hrthe auto? thn hrwthse dia neumatos mallon h dia ths fwnhs h Fragkogiannou. H pashousa aphnthse dia grulismou ouden to anthrwpinon ehontos. H Fragkogiannou ekathise para thn estian, kai hsholeito na vrash votana dia thn pashousan. Den eihe pleon to kalathi ths, alla eihe gemisei tous kolpous ths apo diafora mikroskopika horta, ta opoia eihe sulle3ei thn hmeran katw eis ta remata twn koiladwn. Ta duo mikra korasia ths asthenous ekathisan sima eis ta gonata ths Fragkogiannous, gleifidika, kai zhtounta thwpeias. H Giannou

114 ethwpeusen ta siagonia twn kai tous laimous twn, toson dunata, wste hsthanthhsan ponon, kai to en efwna3e: Manna! All' h manna hton di' auta ws na mhn uphrhe, kai ta dustuhh plasmata den hsan eis hlikian oute na aisthanthwsi thn elleipsin, oute na dunantai toulahiston na thn anaplhrwswsi. To mikron agori, to opoion efaineto na einai omhlikon me to korasion to en, ws na hsan diduma, eklaie ki ezhtei na shkwthh h manna tou na tou kamh gria sto thgani. Twra, guie mou, egw na sou kamw gria, eipe tuhaiwsh Fragkogiannou. Den ehoume aleuri, theia, eipe to megaluteron ek twn duo korasiwn. Kala na elthh o pateras na ferh aleuri, eipen h Fragkogiannou pros to paidion, k' egw na sou kamw gria! Hsuhase twra. Alla to agori den ta hkouen auta. Gria thelw, kai na 'nai zarwmenh gria! Na 'hh kai petmezi. Pou na vrethh to petmezi, guie mou? eipen h Fragkogiannou. Methaurio na maurisoun ta stafulia st' ampeli, na ta trughsoume, na kopsoume ta 3ekoudouna ap' ta klhmata, na kamoume polu-polu petmezi na fah to kalo paidi. Pws se lene? Giwrgh tone leme, theia, eipe to megaluteron korasion. Esena? Dafnw. K' esena? hrwthsen h Giannou to mikroteron thugatrion. Anthh. Na zhsete! Kai pote tha ta kopsoume, theia, ta stafulia? efwna3e to agori. Den pame twra st' ampeli na ta kopsoume? Ohi twra, guie mou, tahia.

115 Tahia to-tahu? eipen o Giwrghs. Nai, guioka mou. Apopse tha desoun oi rages, kai tha glukanoun, kai tha maurisoun, kai tahia to-tahu tha paroume tous trugologous na tre3oume st' ampeli, na trughsoume, na ta kamoume kotsi-kotsi, ta stafulia, ta 3ekoudouna, na ta pathsoume, na ta luwsoume, kai tha kamoume moustopittes kai petmezia kai hilia logiwn kala... kai tote, tha sou kamw egw mia gria, zarwmenh, isa me to thgani megalh! Selw na' nai poulu, poulu megalh! eipen o mikros. Megalh gria, isa m' emena, eipen h Fragkogiannou. En tw meta3u, to mikroteron twn duo korasiwn, to Dafnw, kathws ekoitazen enalla3 ton luhnon kai thn Fragkogiannou me tethhposvlemma, ws na upnwtisthh apo to omma ths graias, enusta3e, egeire to kefalaki tou pros thn estian, kai apekoimhthh. H Giannou epimonws to ehadeuen upo to katwsagonon, kai pote h heir ths eglistra pros ton trahhlon, kai isws eihe klisin na thlipsh kapws dunatwtera ton laimon tou korasiou. Alla thn idian stigmhn hkousthh dromaion vhma e3wthen, h thura hnoihthh, kai eishlthen o Kampanahmakhs. Dw eisai, kura-Giannou! eipen en akra tarahh. Shkou! Na fughs! na krufths! Ti trehei? eipen h graia, prospathousa na fanh atarahos. Oi tahtikoi se haleuoun? Ti zarar ekames hristianh? Trehoun oi tahtikoi gureuontas se. Shkou, treha! na krufths pouthena mparim! Se lupoumai, kahmenh! Ti krima ekames? Egw? krimata polla... Ma den 3erw, giati na me gureuoun oi tahtikoi, pou mou les? Treha, kata dw erhontai twra. De grounizw pws s' agroikhsan pws ta prumises kata dw, tha 'rthoun twra na halepsoun. Opou ki an einai, plakwsan! Akous! katou, sth Skot'nh Sp'lia, sto Kakorrema, katakei

116 na parhs to fushma sou! Sto klhma sto Monopati, stou P'liou th Vrush, ekei na se paroun sto konto, den mporoun na se pias'n! Apokei mporeis na katevhs sto Geronta, sto Ermhthrio, na 3agoreuthhs, ta krimata s', kahmenh. Treha!... Etre3en h athlia alla den hsthhneto pleon dunameis akmaias. H aupnia twn perasmenwn nuktwn, h kakopatheia, ai sugkinhseis thn eihon katavalei. Ta merh, ta opoia eihen onomasei o Kampanahmakhs, apeihon polu, den hdunato de na odoiporhsh pros ta ekei eis thn aselhnon nukta. Kathws etrehen, autiazomenh kata pasan stigmh, e3afnizomenh, kai nomizousa oti akouei pantou vhmata, eis to monopati, anamesa eis dendra kai thamnous, hkouse vhmata alhthh, erhomena apo diakosiwn vhmatwn, apo ton kurion dromon. Ekruvh opisthen twn thamnwn, kai ths efanh oti hsan pragmati oi hwrofulakes, vadizontes pros thn kaluvhn tou Kampanahmakh, pros to meros opothen auth hrheto. Ean outws eihen, h thesis ths kathistato asfalestera pros to paron, kathoti den efoveito pleon na tous sunanthsh, dia thn nukta ekeinhn. Eprohwrhse pros to meros, opothen eihen elthei thn prwian. Efthasen eis ton mikron naiskon ths Zwodohou Phghs, eis to Koimhthrion twn Kaloghrwn, eis t' Alwni tou Monasthriou. Eperasen e3w apo to Vourdounario, antikru ths sidhras pulhs tou Koinoviou, htis hto katakleistos. Allws, gunaikes pote den ephrhonto eis ton ieron perivolon. Kathlthen eis tous khpous, opou eihe sunanthsei thn prwian ton kaloghron, ton khpouron, ostis ths eihen eipei diafora rhta apo to Psalthrion, ta opoia auth den enoei, all' aoristws upwpteuen oti proshrmozonto kapws eis thn thesin ths. Kai pragmati ths eihon afhsei ws ena vomvon peri ta wta ths Tis dwsei moi pterugas wsei peristeras?... Idou emakruna fugadeuwn kai hulisthhn

117 en th erhmw. Prosedehomhn ton Theon, ton swzonta me apo oligopsuhias kai apo kataigidos.... Kathws anhrheto thn rahin antikru, peran twn khpwn, anw tou reumatos, hkouse ton mikron kwdwna tou monasthriou na hhh gluka, tapeina kai monotona, na e3upna tas hhous tou vounou, kai na donh thn malakhn auran. Hto ara mesonuktion, wra tou Mesonuktikou, wra tou Orthrou! Pws hsan eutuheis oi anthrwpoi autoi, oitines euthus amesws, ek nearas hlikias, wsan apo theian empneusin, eihon aisthanthh poion hto to kaluteron to opoion hmporousan na kamoun to na mh feroun, dhladh, allous eis ton kosmon dustuheis!...kai meta touto, ola hsan deutera. Thn filosofian, autoi, thn eihon lavei ws ek klhronomias, hwris <na> skotisoun ton noun twn eis thn zhthsin ths alhtheias, opou pote den eurisketai. Anevh upshlotera thn rahin, hwris na ehh skopon h apofasin pou ephgaine. Kai e3w apo ton dromon, oliga vhmata makran, eide mian stanhn, thn opoian anegnwrisen oti hton tou Giannh tou Lurigkou. O skulos aisthantheis makrothen thn parousian ths, hrhise na gaugizh. Eihen elthei ara, plhsion eis to kataluma ths parelthoushs nuktos hwris na to skefthh! Kai twra monon hrhise na to skeptetai. Ews thn stigmhn to enstikton thn eihen odhghsei. Alla twra o sullogismos ths dietupouto kathara. Pou allou tha eimai pleon asfalhs, gia thn wra, para edw? Oi tahtikoi pote den tha pisteuoun oti 3anahltha palin pros to idio meros, pou me eihan eurei hthes, kai m' ekunhghsan. O Giannhs koimatai sto mandri tou. Sto kaluvi tha' nai h lehwna, k' h gria. Thn nuhta hthes, apo ton sastismo ki apo th via mou, 3ehasa ekei to kalathaki mou. Den tha einai kalutera na paw na htuphsw thn porta, na tous poulhsw pali doulepsh me kanena pseutogiatriko, na parw kai to kalathaki mou, kai sa fe3h na paw na krufthw katw sto Kakkorema, ekei pou leei o Kampanahmakhs?...

118 Vevaiws h graia, h penthera tou Lurigkou, kati tha eihen akousei eis varos ths apo hwrofulakes h apo tritous, alla ti m' auto? Den tha eihe toshn kakian oute toson tharros, wste na thn prodwsh. Allws, auth ws kurian profasin, dia na eiselthh tha proetatten oti hlthe na zhthsh to lhsmonhmenon kalathi ths. Ekruwne polu apo ton aera tou vounou, kai eihen anagkh na stegasthh pouthena, pros wran. Den edistase pleon. Dievh ton zugon, ton enounta tas duo raheis, epi ths meshmvrinwteras twn opoiwn hto h mandra, epi de ths voreioteras h oikia tou Lurigkou, k' efthasen eis to kaluvi. Ekrouse thn thuran. H graia ekoimato, alla den arghse na e3upnhsh, k' elthousa hnoi3e thn thuran, hwris, authn thn foran, na erwthsh tis einai, isws dioti hto misokoimismenh k' enhrgei ws en upnovasia mhhanikws, h eihe thn entupwsin oti oudeis allos hdunato na einai eimh o gamvros ths. H Fragkogiannou espeuse na eiselthh. To kofini m' plio, 3ehasa ap' th via mou, epses, eipe. To eides? Einai pouthena? Pou to 'heis? H hwrikh graia estathh kai thn ekoita3e. Twra monon efanh na e3upnhsen entelws, kai anagnwrisasa authn. Pou vrethhkes edw? eipe. Mhn erwtas, eipen h Giannou. Eiha nuhtwsei s' en' allo kaluvi, ma den eiha upno. Sa thumhthhka to kofini mou, hrtha. Pws eiste? Ti kan' h lehwna? Ti na kamh? Ta idia... Ma de mou les, eipe meta tina distagmon h graia giati s' egureuan kein' oi tahtikoi? Ftonos tou kosmou, aphnthse m' etoimothta h Fragkogiannou. Ena korits' eihe pnigh mes sto phgadi... E?

119 Kai den 3erw poios ehtros eipe pws eftaia egw... Ma etsi na' houme kalh psuhh, mporeis na to pistepshs? Taha den mporouse na pnigh kai monaho tou to koritsi? Htan anagkh na valw heri egw? Mathes!.... ekamen h graia. H Fragkogiannou egkatestathh, opws kai thn prolavousan nukta, sima eis thn gwnian ths estias, opou eure kai to kalathi ths. E3anapse thn fwtian, evale nero sto mpriki, kai kategineto na vrash votana, ta opoia evgalen apo ton kolpon ths. H lehwna ekoimato, tou mikrou thugatriou hkoueto h anapnoh mesa eis thn skafhn thn hrhsimeuousan ws liknon, upo to stefanon tou vareliou to anehon upshla en lepton panion. Eniote eklauthmurize. Koi, koi, koi! eproferen h graia, h promhtwr, htis eihe kleisei to en omma, kai me to allo, eis to asthenes fws tou kandhliou kai eis thn dialeipousan ths estias analamphn, den epause na koitazh thn Fragkogiannou. Telos, meta wran, h graia kaitoi efaineto apofasin ehousa na mh koimhthh, ths hlthen o prodoths o upnos isws di' auto touto, oti ekoitaze lian epimonws thn upopton gunaika kai apekoimhthh epanw eis to triton lalhma tou peteinou. To vrefos eklauthmurizen akomh. H mammh den hgrupnei pleon dia n' apaggellh to monotonon Koi, koi, koi! Olo koritsoudia, to ermo! To paraponon tou Giannh tou Lurigkou evomvei eis ta wta ths Fragkogiannous. H lehwna den eihen e3upnhsei. H graia Hadoula ekinhthh oligon, etanusthh epi twn gonatwn ths, k' efthase to liknon. Paremerise to leukon panion apo thn kefalhn ths kounias, k' eteine thn heira dia na thwpeush to mikron, enw touto eklauthmurizen. Efra3e me thn heira ths to mikron stoma, dia na mh fwnazh, ekoita3e pros to meros ths lehwnas, eita pros thn strwmnhn ef' hs ekeito kouvariasmenh h graia.

120 H fwnh tou vrefous epnigh. Mian herian akomh ehreiazeto na kamh h Fragkogiannou. Me thn allhn heira, tou esfi3e dunata ton laimon... Eita emazw3e to lepton panion dia na to ripsh palin epanw ths stefanhs. H heir ths prosekopsen eis thn sanida, k' ekame mikron thoruvon. H graia, htis den ekoimato varews, e3upnhsen. Anetinahthh, eskirthsen. Eide thn Fragkogiannou n' aposurh thn heira ths kai n' apohwrh, anegeiromenh epi twn gonatwn, opisw eis thn thesin ths. Ti kaneis? ekra3en entromos h graia. H lehwna epetahthh, anephdhse. Ti einai, manna? H Fragkogiannou eshkwthh, ephre to kalathi ths. Tipota thelhsa na to kamw na loufa3h, na mhn klaih, aphnthsen. H graia mammh ekupse pros thn kounian. Phgainw twra, efe3e, eipen h Fragkogiannou... Dwse ths lehwnas to giatriko pou evrasa na to pih! Kai parauta e3hlthen. Etre3e me vhma dromaion n' apomakrunthh tahista. Ephre ton epanw dromon, kata to dasos, dia na mh perash apo thn antikrinhn rahin opou hton h stanh. Hto glukeia augh tou Maiou. H kuanwph kai rodinh antaugeia tou ouranou ehrie me apohrwsin melihran ta horta kai tous thamnous. Hkoueto o minurismostwn ahdonwn eis to dasos, kai t' anarithmhta mikra poulia eteloun ekthumws, aplhstws, thn sunaulian twn thn afaton. Afou h Fragkogiannou apemakrunthh polla vhmata, hkouse vrahnhn kraughn opisthen ths. Hto h graia, h mhthr ths lehwnas e3allos, travousa ta mallia ths, eihe tre3ei e3w ths kaluvhs, k' efwnaze: Piaste thn!... Piaste thn! Mas ekame foniko!

121 H Fragkogiannou etrehen, etrehe. Hlpize na hwthh to tahuteron eis to dasos, opou, kai an tuhon etrehon katopin ths, ta ihnh ths tahista tha ehanonto. Alla par' elpida, met' oliga lepta, eurethh antimetwpos tou Giannh tou Lurigkou, vadizontos pros thn oikian tou. Outos eihen e3upnhsei thn sunhthh wran, k' ephgaine pros to kaluvi, isws dia na kra3h pros sunergasian thn pentheran tou, opws kai thn prolavousan prwian. All' otan eide thn pentheran tou na fwnazh kai na heironomh toson makran, wste den hdunato n' akouh ti auth elegen, odhgoumenos monon apo thn dieuthunsin twn heironomiwn ths, eide thn Fragkogiannou na feugh pros to meros tou dasous tote, etre3e pros to meros ekeino, k' efwna3e megalh th fwnh pros thn Fragkogiannou. Ti einai?... Ti trehei? Tote h Hadoula estathh, k' efwna3e makrothen pros ton Giannhn ton Lurigkon. Feugw!... Paw na... O Giannhs o Lurigkos eihe tre3ei oliga vhmata, k' hlthe plhsiestera pros thn Fragkogiannou. Tote ki auth, apofasistikws, proevh duo h tria vhmata plhsiestera pros ekeinon. H Fragkogiannou epekalesthh eis vohtheian olhn thn etoimothta ths. Hutoshediase. Giannh! h gunaika sou ehei tous ponous! Einai askhma. Ehei tous ponous! anekra3en en akra aporia o anthrwpos. Ti les, hristianh mou? Ehei ki allo paidi sthn koilia ths! ishuristhh me tolmhn h Fragkogiannou. Allo paidi sthn koilia ths! Nai, auto pou sou lew. Mono treha sto hwrio na fwna3hs th mammh!... na phs kai tou giatrou na 'rthh!

122 O Lurigkos estathh. Peran, epi tou mikrou oropediou, pro ths oikias, h penthera tou efwnazen akomh vrahnas kraugas, tas opoias epairne makran o anemos, hwris o Giannhs n' akouh, ti elegen ekeinh. H Fragkogiannou wmilei me tharros, k' efaineto oti h3eure ti elege. Pws ginetai auto pote? anekra3en o Giannhs. Eisai kala, hristianh mou? Auto ginetai, epemenen h Fragkogiannou. Oules tis fores ta diplarika den peftoun mazi ap' thn koilia. To ena, to plio adunato ap' ta duo, argei kai wres kai meres na pesh. Alhtheia! Ehw akousta mou, eipen o Giannhs. Kata pws fainetai, suneperane lian sovara h Fragkogiannou, authn thn fora to ena to paidi tha piasthke uster' ap' to allo. Auto einai taha? eipe me hthos oiktou o Lurigkos. Treha to glhgorotero! na pas na ferhs to giatro!... Esu pou pas? hrwthsen o Lurigkos. Egw paw ston Ai-Haralampo... paw na fwna3w ton papaMakario, na 'rthh na ths kamh mia paraklhsh, ths gunaikas! Kala! Tre3e! Kai h Fragkogiannou etre3e. IST' Katw eis to Kakorrema, hamhla eis to vathos, sima eis thn Skoteinhn Sphlian, oi lithoi ehoreuon daimonikon horon thn nukta. Anwrthounto, ws empsuhoi, kai katediwkon thn Fragkogiannou, kai thn elithovoloun, ws na esfendonizonto apo aoratous timwrous heiras. Eihon parelthei treis hmerai apo thn teleutaian fughn ths, apo thn kaluvhn tou Lurigkou. H enohos gunh eihe krufthh ekei, me thn elpida

123 oti tha diefeuge pros kairon tous onuhas twn diwktwn ths. Me ta oliga dipura ta opoia euriskonto akomh eis to kalathi ths, me tas kaukalhthras, ton anhthon, kai ta muronia osa sunelege, kai me to glufo neron ths Skoteinhs Sphlias, eihe diathrhthh. To meros hto shedon avaton. To Kakorrema eshhmatizeto apo enan vrahon apathton pros dusmas, kai apo ena krhmnon, h mian saran olisthhran e3 anatolwn. Katw eis to vathos anevluze to Glufoneri. Duo antra, me to stomion polu stenon, ehaskon enthen kai enthen. Ekei ekoimato thn nukta thn hmeran kathrheto eis thn Skoteinhn Sphlian. Dia n' anelthh kai dia na katelthh, oute dromiskos oute monopati uphrhen. Epatei epi ths saras, eis thn vasin tou krhmnou. Tote h sara etarasseto, efaineto ws na ethumwne. Oi lithoi tous opoious e3etopize patousa, hsan ws vasis kai themelion eis olon ton apeiron swron twn lithwn, ton aploumenon epi tou pranous tou krhmnou. Kathws efeugon oi prwtoi lithoi, alloi lithoi hrhonto na lavwsi thn thesin twn, met' autous de alloi. Kai outw h palirroia olh tou krhmnou hrheto kat' epanw ths, epipten eis tas knhmas kai ta skelh ths, eis tas heiras kai to sternon ths. Eniote, lithoi tines, apo upsos katerhomenoi, epipton me ormhn kai kakian tou proswpou ths. Tous teleutaious toutous efaineto pragmati ws na tous esfendonizen aoratos heir kata ths kefalhs ths. Afou telos, meta toson lithovolhma, efthasen eis thn Skoteinhn Sphlian, thn prwthn hmeran, ekathise ki agnanteue to pelagos. H Sphlia, h thalassoplhktos, ehei diplhn eisodon, ek te ths 3hras kai ths thalasshs. Pros thn thalassan, to stomion ths hamhlon kai stenon, oson dia na dielthh mikra varka aliews. H Fragkogiannou, aoratos, apo to meros ths 3hras, hkoue ton upokwfon, epimonon paflasmon tou kumatos eis to stomion tou antrou. To kuma anwrthouto, ephda, eplhtte thn anw fliantou stomiou, katepipte, palin anephda, e3epempe makrous wrugmous manias apo tis apothalassies tou vorra,

124 pote stenagmous ponou kai pathous apo thn fouskothalassan. Katw eis to vathos to apaton, musthrion kai skotos saleuon. Mia pote varka, ws dihgounto, eispleusasa dia na sulle3h karavidas kai pagouria, enw eis twn nauvatwn eihen anarrihhthh eis to tromeron upsos tou vrahou dia na sulle3h kritama, ekathisen epanw eis mian fwkhn zwntanhn frattousan akrivws to platos tou stomiou. To skoteinon zwon anetarasseto, hspairen, h mikra skafh epalleto, etreme, kai den hmporouse na upagh oute empros oute opisw. O nauvaths o entos ths varkas ektuphse thn fwkhn m' ena pelekun, thn aimatwse, to kuma ekokkinhse ep' oligon. H fwkh hspairen en agwnia. O nearos alieus katwrthwse na sfig3h ton laimon me mian thhleian, kai kalesas ton allon suntrofon tou eis vohtheian katwrthwse th vohtheia autou, me kindunon na voulia3h h felouka, n' anasurh epanw thn fwkhn. H graia Hadoula agnanteuen, agnanteuen eis to pelagos. As hto kai twra, na fanh na plhsiash mia varka!... H Fragkogiannou tha parekalei tous neous alieis, tous patriwtas ths, na thn eparoun mazi, mes sthn varka... Kai pou tha ephgaine... W, vevaia sta pera hwmata, sta merh t' antikrina, sthn megalh steria... K' ekei ti tha ekamne? W, eihen o Theos, th' arhiz' ekei neon vion! Evlepen, evlepen, anoihta eis to pelagos, makran e3w, polla pania, leuka istia, san tou glarou ta ftera. Vratseres, goletes, mikra kaikia, ta evlepe n' armenizoun, na orgwnoun ta kumata, wsan voidakia zeugarwta. Alla epleon porrw pros vorran, alla kathrhonto pros noton, alla armenizan pros anatolas h pros dusmas, temnontas stauroeidws tous olkous, tas vatheias oratas aulakas, tas opoias afhnan opisthen twn ta prwta. Eita polla reumata diaharassonta to pelagos, apo ta opoia efaineto h thalassa wsan kenthth,

125 pepoikilmenh. Evlepen, ewsotou ta matia ths ekaman gualia na vleph. H Fragkogiannou evgalen apo to kalathi ths to palaion kitrinwpon hrami, to mallinon, to opoion eihe dia na tuligetai otan hthele na koimhthh kai den eihen upnon, eshkwthh orthh, anepetase thn mallinhn sindona, k' arhisen ekthumws na thn seih. Ekamne shmata, aphlpismena shmata pros tous nautilous, na elthoun na thn eparoun mazi twn. Evlepon, den evlepon oi nauvatai ta shmeia ths? Apo kanen ploion den aphnthsan eis ton pothon ths, eis tas tosas prospatheias ths. Ta leuka istia efeugon me ton anemon eis to kuma, kai auth emene proshlwmenh eis ton vrahon ths Skoteinhs Sphlias, progegrammenh, erhmos, mh vlepousa dia th aurion hrushs aughs thn anatolhn... To leukazon kai kitrinwpon rakos ths efugen apo thn heira to ephren o anemos, kai to erripsen epi ths kefalhs kai twn wmwn ths gunaikos. Auto tha einai to savano mou! epsithurise pikrws meidiwsa h Fragkogiannou. Telos, kathws ekathise katw epi tou vrahou, vlepei mian varkan, mikran feloukan, na erhetai parapleousa thn akthn. Eihe mikron istion kai duo koupia, ta opoia etupton rathumws to kuma. Epleen e3 anatolwn k' eplhsiaze pros ton erhmon vrahon, eis to asulon ths. H Fragkogiannou hsthanthh skirthma elpidos mesa ths. Ekruvh opisthen ths korufhs tou vrahou, dia na katopteush kai idh an tha egnwrize tous epivainontas. Otan h felouka eplhsiasen, eiden oti o eis ek twn triwn epivatwn ths, ostis esure thn surthn apo thn prumnhs, eforei stratiwtikhn stolhn. Kapoios parepidhmwn apostratos, agapwn t' opsareuma, eihen e3elthei pros agran, omou me duo e3 epaggelmatos alieis. H Fragkogiannou monon eiden oti hto tahtikos, kai gelasmenh ekruvh vathutera opisthen tou vrahou.

126 * * * Thn nukta apekoimhthh eis thn krupthn ths, mesa eis thn ugran almhn ths Sphlias. Vomvoi ethoruvoun eis ta wta ths. To kuma upo tous podas ths errohthei, me paratetamenous wrugmous lusshs. Vathia, mesa eis ta sterna ths hkoue ta klauthmurismata twn akakwn nhpiwn. Upokwfoi surigmoi tou makrinou anemou hrhonto eis tas akoas ths. O nekrwsimos horos twn korasidwn, me hu3hmenon ton frikwdh ormathon, ehorophda trigurw ths. Eimaste paidia sou! Mas egennhses! Filhse mas! Dwse mas mamma! Pare mas stolidia, stolidia omorfa! Haidepse mas! Den mas agapas? H graia penthera tou Lurigkou, maniwdhs, sustrefousa tas heiras, thn hpeilei tromera, kai o gamvros ths, me hthos paraponemenon, thn epeplhtte... Katw eis tous podas, eis to vathos ths Sphlias, errohthei to kuma... Evrazen, evraze, kai to antron metevalleto eis sternan, kai to neron ths sternas evruhato m' enarthron fwnhn: Fonissa! Fonissa! H dustuhhs e3upnhsen entromos, perirreomenh apo almhn kai idrwta. Huheto pleon kai parauta to apefasise, na mhn koimhthh allhn foran eis thn zwhn ths, an hton dia na vleph tetoia oneira. O thanatos tha einai o kallistos twn upnwn arkei na mhn ehei kaka oneira! Tis oide! Molis to eskefthh, kai met' oligon apenarkwthh palin. Tote ths efanh oti evlepen empros ths ton Kampanahmakhn, ton agroikonekeinon tou vounou istato enwpion ths me thn stravolekan tou thn poimenikhn, me to skaion hthos tou, me thn opsin tou thn traheian kai me laruggwdh fwnhn ths elege: Sto Kakorrema! Sto Monopati, sth Vrush tou Pouliou! Stou Geronta to Ermhthrio! Kai kathws egineto afantos, akomh epanelave:

127 Sto Ermhthrio! Stou Geronta to Ermhthrio! H Fragkogiannou e3upnhse thn wra tou lukaugous me mikran galhnhn eis thn psuhhn, enw to kuanoun kai porfurizon tou sterewmatos katantikru ths suneheeto me to maurogalanon tou pontou, kai aura, drosos, floisvos, kelarusma apeteloun hdeian suzugian armonias eis tas aisthhseis ths. Apo ths prohthes den eihe pausei na skeptetai to erhmhthrion ekeino, peri ou ths eihen omilhsei pros triwn hmerwn o Kampanahmakhs. Eihen akousei polla na legoun gunaikes eulaveis peri twn aretwn tou Gerontos ekeinou tou pap' Akakiou, ostis pro oligou kairou monon eihen elthei eis thn nhson, kai eihe katoikhsei eis ton Agion Swsthn, palaion anahwrhthrion meta erhmou naiskou, to opoion ekeito epi mikrou thalassoplhktou vrahou, ostis apetelei skopelon h mikron nhsidion para thn voreian, mikron pros dusmas klinousan, krhmnwdh akthn, kai me thn ampwtin twn udatwn, to nhsidion egineto mikra hersonhsos. O gerwn pap' Akakios hto, elegan, austhros pneumatikos, plhn eihe to spanion harisma ths diakrisews twn logismwn, k' efthane mehri prooratikothtos. Ai gunaikes evevaioun oti hto swstos krufiognwsths, kai sou elege ti eihes mesa sou. Kai pollakis e3wmologei ton metanoounta polu perissoteron h oson autos hthele na e3omologhthh. Dia thn Fragkogiannou tha hto eutuhhma, an eihen eilikrinh apofasin na e3omologhthh, na eurisketo eis pneumatikos ostis na thn aphllatten apo ton kopon kai apo to foveron vasanon tou distagmou, legwn: Auto ki auto ekames! Hrkei na mhn thn aphlpize, alla na hto ikanos akomh kai eis ton proskairon na thn vohthhsh kai na thn swsh, kosmon, ei dunaton! Taha den uphr3en eis Agios ostis ekrupse kai eswse, mh thelhsas na ton paradwsh eis thn e3ousian, ton fonea tou idiou adelfou tou? Posw mallon o pap' Akakios den tha eswze kai tha

128 ekrupten authn, htis den eihe kamei kakon atomikws eis ton sevasmion erhmithn? Mhpws den epernousan kathhmerinws ploia, gialo h anoihta apo ton Ai-Swsthn, kai den tha hdunato na thn fugadeush an hthele? H Hadoula eihe varunthh thn monotonian ths Skoteinhs Sphlias, kai eihen arhisei n' adunatizh polu apo thn aneparkh trofhn. Elaven apofasin, ama fe3h kala, na parh to kalathaki ths, kai na e3elthh apo to asulon ths, opws dieuthunthh pros ton Agion Swsthn. Ekei tha e3wmologeito ola ta pathia ths. Kairos metanoias pleon... * * * Efthasan, efthasan, oi hwrofulakes! Eite dia prodosias, eite di' ihnhlasias, thn eihan anakalupsei... Katwrthwsan na katelthoun eis to Kakorrema, hwris na enohlhthoun apo ton krhmnon, hwris oi lithoi ths saras na shkwthoun kai na rifthoun katepanw tous, na tous kunhghsoun! Hto thn aughn ama efe3en, enw h Fragkogiannou htoimazeto na diethunthh dia tou suntomwterou dromou, eis ton Ai-Swsthn, eis to Erhmhthrion. O hlios den eihen anateilei dia na fwtish akomh thn falakran akthn, to Kouroupi, kai na steilh hrusas aktinas eis thn apotomon klitun tou Stoivwtou. H Fragkogiannou tous eiden, etroma3en, ephre to kalathi ths, kai asthmainousa, 3eglwssasmenh, etre3e ton anhforon, epanw eis ton vrahon ton avaton, eis to Klhma, pros to dutikon meros. Epeta3e, me laktisma twn podwn pros ta opisw, tas ftharmenas emvadas, ta paliokatsaria ths, kai 3upolhth anerrihhthh epanw eis ton krhmnon. Oi duo nomatoi evgalan ki autoi ta tsarouhia tous, k' etre3an katopin ths, eis ton vrahon ton apathton, eis ton hwron ths apelpisias, opou evadizen ekeinh.

129 Mian monhn stigmhn, h dusthnos estrefe thn kefalhn opisw. Tote eiden oti oi diwktai hsan men duo, alla monon o eis eforei thn stratiwtikhn stolhn. O allos eferen eghwrion enduma, me selahi, efwdiasmenon me pistolia kai harmpia, peri th meshn. Efaineto na einai eis twn agrofulakwn. Touto thn eptohse kai thn efovisen. H apousia tou enos hwrofulakos ediden aformhn eis upopsias. Mhpws apo thn allhn pleuran tou krhmnou, peran tou vrahou tou a3enou ths aporrwgos akths thn eperimenen enedra tis, wste na thn kleiswsin oi sklhroi diwktai meta3u duo purwn? Kai palin h sumptwsis auth thn eparhgorhse kai ths enepneuse mikran elpida. Ean o enas apo tous duo nomatous hton patriwths, hwrikos anthrwpos eis thn uphresian ths dhmarhias, touto isws eshmainen oti outos tha e3etelei mallon ws aggareian to kunhghma to opoion tou eihan epivalei kai isws mallon tha ekopte thn ormhn tou allou, tou hwrofulakos. Den hto de apithanon o agrofula3 ekeinos kai na hsthaneto mesa tou krufhn sumpatheian pros thn feugousan, thn diwkomenhn, thn trehousan epanw eis ta katsavraha, m' aimatwmenous tous podas, dustuhh gunaika peri ths enohhs ths opoias den hto kan vevaios. IZ' Usteron ap' oligwn leptwn ths wras kunhghton, h Fragkogiannou efthasen eis thn topothesian, thn opoia o Kampanahmakhs eihen onomasei to Monopati sto Klhma. Hton vrahos eisehwn apotomws pros ta esw, shhmatizwn mikron zugwma, katwthen tou opoiou ehasken h avussos, h thalassa. Anw tou zugwmatos toutou uphrhe pathma

130 hmiseias palamhs to platos, olon den to perama hto triwn h tessarwn vhmatwn. Opws to dielthh tis, eprepe na piasthh apo ton anw vrahon, vlepwn pros thn thalassan, na path me thn pternan, kai na vadizh ek de3iwn pros ta aristera. H zwh tou ekremato eis mian triha. H Fragkogiannou ekame ton stauron ths kai den edistase. Oute uphrhen allh airesis h prosfugh. Drumos allos den uphrhen epanw tou vrahou. H gunh ephre to kalathi ths eis tous odontas, ephdhsen apofasistikws, kai dievh aisiws to foveron perama. Efthasan katopin asthmainontes oi duo nomatoi. O hwrofula3 eide to perama k' estathh. Sou vasta h kardia sou? eipe me krufhn hairekakian o suntrofos tou. Den einai allos dromos? Den einai. Esu tha to 'hhs perasei polles fores, eipen o stratiwths. Egw, ohi! hrnhthh o agrofula3. Den hsoun tsompanhs? Egw evoska provata ston kampo. O hwrofula3 edistasen akomh. Kai na mas ri3h katw mia gunaika! eipe. Den proftasame na thn idoume th stigmh pou pernouse, eipen eirwn o dragaths. An thn evlepes, tha sou 'kane kardia. Alhthina? Den 3ereis poses fores dinoun to paradeigma oi gunaikes! eipen o agrofula3. Se kamposa pragmata, deihnoun polu kouragio. K' egw tha perasw! eipen o hwrofula3. Empros!

131 O hwrofula3 evgale to ampehonon tou, kai to eteinen eis ton suntrofon tou, meinas me to upokamison. Ekame to shmeion tou Staurou. An perasw pera, mou to rihneis, eipe. Edokimase na pathsh epi tou stenou, epiasthh apo ton vrahon. Meta en vhma wpisthodromhse. M' epiase zalada, eipen. En tw meta3u h Fragkogiannou, trehousa, eihen anhforisei, kai anhrheto upshlotera eis thn akthn. Apokamwmenh, hsthmainen, efusa. Ephgaine, k' esteketo epi mian anepaisthhton stigmhn, k' eteine ta wta akrowmenh. Hthele na vevaiwthh an tha dievainon to perama oi duo diwktai ths. Alla den hkoue tipote. Apo thn vraduthta authn esumperanen oti oi duo nomatoi edistazon polu na perasoun to monopati. Telos, efthasen eis tou Pouliou thn Vrush, opws thn eihen onomasei o Kampanahmakhs. Hto mia phgh epanw eis upshlon vrahon, epi tou opoiou eshhmatizeto mikron olisthhron oropedion apo hwma, gematon apo vrua kai alla ugra horta, ta opoia efainonto ws na epleon eis to neron. H Fragkogiannou epatei kala dia na mh glistrhsh kai pesh. Apo thn vrusin ekeinhn, pragmati, monon ta peteina t' ouranou hdunato na pinoun. H Hadoula ekupse k' epie... Ah! kathws pinw ap' th vrusoula sas, poulakia mou, eipe, dwste mou kai thn harh sas, na peta3w!... K' egelase monahh ths, aporousa pou eure ton asteismon auton eis toiauthn wran. Alla ta poulia, otan thn eidan, eihan agrieusei, k' epeta3an entroma... Ekathise, dipla eis tou Pouliou thn Vrush, dia na 3apostash kai parh ton anasasmon ths. Shedon eihe vevaiwthh pleon oti oi duo nomatoi den eihan katorthwsei na diavwsi to Monopati sto Klhma.

132 Alla den hsthaneto asfaleian, h dusthnos, kathhmenh ekei. Othen, met' oliga lepta eshkwthh, ephre to kalathi ths, k' etre3en ton kathforon. Twra pleon ephgainen apofasistikws eis ton Ai-Swsthn, eis to Erhmhthrion. Kairos hto, an eglutwne, na e3agoreuthh ta krimata ths eis ton geronta, ton askhthn. Eis oliga lepta ths wras kathlthe thn akthn, k' efthasen eis ta halikia tou aigialou, eis thn ammon. Antikruse ton aliktupon vrahon, epanw eis ton opoion efaineto o palaios naiskos tou Agiou Swzontos. O laimos ths ammou, o enwnwn ton mikron vrahon me thn sterean, molis aneihen ena daktulon uperanw tou kumatos. Twra hrhize na ginetai plhmmura. H Fragkogiannou estathh k' edistase. Taha den tha ... 3anaginh rhhhse ligh wra? eipe. Giati na viastw twra, na ginw mouskema? Alla thn idian stigmhn hkouse thoruvon ohi mikron epi tou krhmnou. Duo andres, o eis stratiwtikos, o allos poliths, me duo toufekia ep' wmou, kathrhonto trehontes ton kathforon. O poliths den hton o dragaths ton opoion eihen afhsei opisw, me ton ena hwrofulaka, hton allos, k' eforei fragkika. Auth loipon hto h enedra, thn opoian eihen upopteusei eulogws auth, me thn opoian hthelhsan na thn valoun eis ta stena? Idou oti twra thn efthanan. H Fragkogiannou etre3en, ekame ton stauron ths, k' epathsen epanw eis to perama ths ammou. H ammos hton olisthhra. To kuma anhrheto, efouskwne. H gunh den wpisthodromhse. Den eihen allhn sanida swthrias. Oute authn, thn parousan, malista den eihe. To kuma anevainen, anevaine. H Fragkogiannou epatei. H ammos enedide. Oi podes ths eglistrousan. O vrahos tou Agiou Swzontos apeihe peri tas dwdeka orguias apo thn akthn. O laimos ths ammou, to perama, tha hto pleon h penthkonta vhmatwn to mhkos.

133 To kuma thn efthasen ews to gonu, eita ws thn meshn. H ammos eglistrouse. Egineto valtos, lakkos. To kuma anhlthen ews to sternon ths. Oi duo andres, oitines thn ekunhgoun, erripsan mian toufekian dia na thn ptohsoun. Eita hkousthhsan ai fwnai twn, fwnai alalagmou kai vevaias nikhs. H Fragkogiannou apeihen akomh ws deka vhmata apo ton AiSwsthn. Den eihe pleon edafos na pathsh egonatisen. Eis to stoma ths eishrheto to almuron kai pikron udwr. Ta kumata efouskwsan agriws, ws na eihon pathos. Ekalupsan tous mukthras kai ta wta ths. Thn stigmhn ekeinhn to vlemma th Fragkogiannous antikruse to Mpostani, thn erhmon voreiodutikhn akthn, opou ths eihon dwsei ws proika ena agron, otan neanida thn upandreusan kai thn ekoukoulwsan, kai thn ekaman nufhn oi goneis ths. W! na to proikio mou! eipe. Autai uphr3an ai teleutaiai le3eis ths. H graia Hadoula eure ton thanato eis to perama tou Agiou Swsth, eis ton laimon ton enwnonta ton vrahon tou erhmhthriou me thn 3hran, eis to hmisu tou dromou, meta3u ths theias kai ths anthrwpinhs dikaiosunhs.