"_Que va_.
And the woman waiting as a whore waits for the flight of the big bird.
Thou art younger than thou appearest."
"It is possible."
"Kill him now," the gypsy urged.
"That is to assassinate."
"Even better," the gypsy said very softly.
"Less danger.
Go on.
Kill him now."
"I cannot in that way.
It is repugnant to me and it is not how one should act for the cause."
"Provoke him then," the gypsy said.
"But you have to kill him.
There is no remedy."
As they spoke, the owl flew between the trees with the softness of all silence, dropping past them, then rising, the wings beating quickly, but with no noise of feathers moving as the bird hunted.
"Look at him," the gypsy said in the dark.
"Thus should men move."
"And in the day, blind in a tree with crows around him," Robert Jordan said.
"Rarely," said the gypsy.
"And then by hazard.
Kill him," he went on.
"Do not let it become difficult."
"Now the moment is passed."
"Provoke it," the gypsy said.
"Or take advantage of the quiet."
The blanket that closed the cave door opened and light came out.
Some one came toward where they stood.
"It is a beautiful night," the man said in a heavy, dull voice.
"We will have good weather."
It was Pablo.
He was smoking one of the Russian cigarettes and in the glow, as he drew on the cigarette, his round face showed.
They could see his heavy, long-armed body in the starlight.
"Do not pay any attention to the woman," he said to Robert Jordan.
In the dark the cigarette glowed bright, then showed in his hand as he lowered it.
"She is difficult sometimes.
She is a good woman.
Very loyal to the Republic."
The light of the cigarette jerked slightly now as he spoke.
He must be talking with it in the corner of his mouth, Robert Jordan thought.
"We should have no difficulties.
We are of accord.
I am glad you have come."
The cigarette glowed brightly.
"Pay no attention to arguments," he said.
"You are very welcome here.
"Excuse me now," he said.
"I go to see how they have picketed the horses."
He went off through the trees to the edge of the meadow and they heard a horse nicker from below.
"You see?" the gypsy said.