Instant download Math and dosage calculations for healthcare professionals 5th edition, (ebook pdf)

Page 1


https://ebookmass.com/product/math-and-dosagecalculations-for-healthcare-professionals-5thedition-ebook-pdf/

Download more ebook from https://ebookmass.com

More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant download maybe you interests ...

Dosage Calculations Made Incredibly Easy! (Incredibly Easy! Seriesu00ae) 5th Edition, (Ebook PDF)

https://ebookmass.com/product/dosage-calculations-madeincredibly-easy-incredibly-easy-series-5th-edition-ebook-pdf/ (eTextbook PDF) for Medical Dosage Calculations: A Dimensional Analysis Approach 11th Edition

https://ebookmass.com/product/etextbook-pdf-for-medical-dosagecalculations-a-dimensional-analysis-approach-11th-edition/

Dosage Calculations: A Multi Method Approach 2nd Edition, (Ebook PDF)

https://ebookmass.com/product/dosage-calculations-a-multi-methodapproach-2nd-edition-ebook-pdf/

Henke’s Med Math: Dosage Calculation, Preparation, and Administration 8th Edition, (Ebook PDF)

https://ebookmass.com/product/henkes-med-math-dosage-calculationpreparation-and-administration-8th-edition-ebook-pdf/

Henke’s Med-Math: Dosage Calculation, Preparation, and Administration 8th Edition – Ebook PDF Version

https://ebookmass.com/product/henkes-med-math-dosage-calculationpreparation-and-administration-8th-edition-ebook-pdf-version/

Handbook of Informatics for Nurses & Healthcare Professionals 6th Edition, (Ebook PDF)

https://ebookmass.com/product/handbook-of-informatics-for-nurseshealthcare-professionals-6th-edition-ebook-pdf/

Electrocardiography for healthcare professionals 4th edition Edition Booth

https://ebookmass.com/product/electrocardiography-for-healthcareprofessionals-4th-edition-edition-booth/

Pharmaceutical Calculations 5th Edition, (Ebook PDF)

https://ebookmass.com/product/pharmaceutical-calculations-5thedition-ebook-pdf/

Understanding Pharmacology for Health Professionals 5th Edition, (Ebook PDF)

https://ebookmass.com/product/understanding-pharmacology-forhealth-professionals-5th-edition-ebook-pdf/

[ BRIEF CONTENTS

Preface xiv

Acknowledgments xxii

Pretest xxxi

UNIT 1 Performing Basic Math

CHAPTER 1 Fractions 2

CHAPTER 2 Decimals 37

CHAPTER 3 Relationships of Quantities: Percents, Ratios, and Proportions 56

UNIT 2 Using Systems of Measurement

CHAPTER 4 Metric System 84

CHAPTER 5 Other Systems of Measurement 95

CHAPTER 6 Converting Units 104

CHAPTER 7 Temperature and Time 116

UNIT 3 Identifying Information Needed for Dosage Calculations

CHAPTER 8 Equipment for Dosage Measurement 126

CHAPTER 9 Interpreting Medication Orders 159

CHAPTER 10 Interpreting Medication Labels and Package Inserts 186

CHAPTER 11 Safe Medication Administration 221

UNIT 4 Calculating Dosages

CHAPTER 12 Methods of Dosage Calculations 252

CHAPTER 13 Oral Dosages 291

CHAPTER 14 Parenteral Dosages 334

CHAPTER 15 Intravenous Calculations 413

UNIT 5 Performing Advanced Dosage Calculations

CHAPTER 16 Calculations for Special Populations 460

CHAPTER 17 Critical IV Calculations 497

UNIT 6 Performing, Dispensing, and Compounding Calculations

CHAPTER 18 Amount to Dispense and Days’ Supply 540

CHAPTER 19 Calculations for Compounding 563

Comprehensive Evaluation CE-1

Glossary G-1

Credits CR-1

Index I-1

CHAPTER

17.3 Hourly Flow Rates for Dosage per Time Infusions 506 Dosage per Hour 506 Dosage per Minute 511

17.4 Safe Heparin Dosages 513 Weight-Based Bolus Dose Calculations 514

Determining the Hourly Dose 517

17.5 IV Flow Rates Based on Body Weight per Time 519

17.6

[ PREFACE

We’ve got you covered—from basic math skills to critical dosage calculations . . . from the print textbook to the digital supplements!

Welcome to the fifth edition of Math and Dosage Calculations for Healthcare Professionals (M&DC)! This product introduces students to the concepts and skills they will need to move forward within their chosen health profession or nursing curriculum. Students will need dynamic tools and multiple resources to ensure success and this product provides everything they need!

Here’s what you and your students can expect from the new edition of M&DC:

• Reorganized content within chapters and units to allow for flexibility of utilizing the product across various healthcare and nursing curricula.

• Simplified dosage calculation steps and examples, and consistency throughout explanations.

• Continued comprehensive coverage of three methods of dosage calculation—proportion, formula, and dimensional analysis—to adapt to various learning styles.

• Updated learning outcomes based on the revised Bloom’s taxonomy that serve as the framework for each chapter and are emphasized throughout the product assets to tie the concepts together.

• Tabular end-of-chapter summaries that are tied to the learning outcomes, along with page references—these reinforce key points for review.

• Comprehensive digital support with ALEKS Prep for Math & Dosage and Connect.

• Focus on the application of mathematics and accuracy of dosage calculations—the essential knowledge needed to prevent medication errors.

Here’s How Your Colleagues Have Described the New Edition of M&DC:

“Math and Dosage Calculations is a well-written and current text with just the right amount of rigor and relevance.

This text covers all of the concepts required for medical assisting and nursing students in detail and with clarity and ease of use. Additionally, the use of three methods of dosage calculations and examples in each chapter provides students with the opportunities to work with the method they prefer. Real-life examples are given and students are required to extract information using critical thinking skills, rather than just completing exercises. Overall, this is an excellent product and I would highly recommend it to any medical program for the instruction of dosage calculation and administration of medications.”

Amy Ensign Baker College – Clinton Township

“Wow! This text is more than I expected. I am truly thrilled in all that it offers to me and my students.”

Amanda Davis-Smith Jefferson Community College – Louisville

“This is a very good book on the breakdown of dosage and calculations as it pertains to MAs and their future outcomes. I like the book as it is separate from pharmacology itself yet it is still a portion that could be added to the pharmacology course. Students will comprehend the math and calculations portions much better than what they are currently using.”

Kathy Gaeng Vatterott College

“Very easy to follow and teach, and it provides students with multiple opportunities to master the skills needed to administer and calculate medications accurately.”

Lynnae Lockett Bryant and Stratton College

“Excellent chapter layout and design. Easy to understand. Accurate. Good depth of information for our student population. Content that would be easy to build into Blackboard. Easy to understand while being appropriately challenging. I plan to recommend this to my math for health adjuncts.”

Russell University of Alaska – Fairbanks

Organization of Math and Dosage Calculations for Healthcare Professionals, Fifth Edition

M&DC is divided into 6 units:

UNIT

1: Performing Basic Math

COVERAGE

Chapters 1–3 focus on a review of basic math skills needed to perform dosage calculations.

2: Using Systems of MeasurementChapters 4–7 focus on measurements used in dosage calculations and drug administration.

3: Identifying Information Needed for Dosage Calculations

4: Calculating Dosages

5: Performing Advanced Dosage Calculations

6: Performing Dispensing and Compounding Calculations

Chapters 8–11 focus on equipment, interpreting medication orders and labels, and safe medication administration.

Chapters 12–15 focus on basic dosage calculations, including three methods: proportion method, dimensional analysis, and formula method. These chapters include calculation methods and provide specific information for calculating oral, parenteral, and basic intravenous dosages.

Chapters 16–17 focus on advanced clinical calculations including special population calculations and critical IV calculations.

Chapters 18–19 focus on amount to dispense, estimated day’s supply, compounding, and alligation.

New to the Fifth Edition!

Of the many improvements made to the fifth edition, key enhancements include:

1 Chapters arranged into logical units of study for better organization and flexibility

1 Changed titles to match the reorganized content for flexibility across healthcare and nursing curricula

1 Icons throughout the first seven chapters to correlate chapter content to the ALEKS assessment system

1 Updated Pretest that covers all of the learning outcomes in Chapters 1–7

1 Updated Comprehensive Evaluation that covers all of the learning outcomes in Chapters 8–19

1 Adherence to Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) error prevention guidelines

1 Procedure Checklists that provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction for common calculations

1 Increased consistency among dosage calculation steps throughout the chapters

1 Real and rendered labels that provide realistic practice of all types of calculations

1 New algorithmic practice problems within Connect content

Chapter-by-chapter highlights include:

1 Chapters 1–5: Content has been updated to provide clearer explanations of basic concepts and to explain ISMP number and unit formatting rules.

1 Chapter 6: New Procedure Checklists were added to clarify the steps for writing conversion factors. The proportion method was separated into two distinct procedures: one for using fractions and one for using ratios.

1 Chapter 7: The discussion of 12-hour and 24-hour time has been updated and clarified using consistent terminology.

1 Chapter 8: Information was added regarding dropper standardization, calibration marks on syringes for IV lines, and clogged enteral tubes. The discussion of oral syringe safety was updated for accuracy, and information about other medication administration forms—such as drops, sprays, mists, inhalants, vaginal and rectal medications, topical medications, and transdermal systems—was moved to this chapter from former Chapter 14.

1 Chapter 9: Information about prescriptions has been moved into this chapter from former Chapter 11.

1 Chapter 10: New information was added regarding package inserts, including updated FDA regulations and when it is most necessary to consult the package insert.

1 Chapter 11: Information about common look-alike and sound-alike medications and error-prone abbreviations was updated to reflect the latest ISMP guidelines. The new chapter emphasizes the importance of follow-up to ensure that authorized prescribers who give verbal orders provide an electronic or written signature. In addition, the information about the rights of medication administration was revised to emphasize the importance of following the procedures, rather than just memorizing the rights.

1 Chapter 12: The rules in this chapter were revised to improve clarity, and Procedure Checklists were added to provide step-by-step guidance for dosage calculations. In Rule 12-2, Step A was changed from “Convert” to “Gather Information and Convert.”

1 Chapter 13: Repetitive content was replaced by a Learning Link that refers back to Chapter 12; both text and examples were revised to improve clarity.

1 Chapter 14: Content was revised and reorganized to include calculations for subcutaneous administration of the high-alert medications heparin and insulin, as well as calculations for other parenteral forms. This chapter now includes calculations for all types of parenteral calculations, except IV. The discussion of methods of injection was revised and clarified, and a new figure was added to identify the various methods. A new Critical Thinking on the Job was added for insulin types, and the table in former Chapter 18 about timing of insulin action was updated and moved to this chapter.

1 Chapter 15: Rules 15-6 and 15-7 pertaining to calculating flow rates were revised and simplified; a section was added about adjusting flow rates in mL/h; the photo showing primary and secondary solutions (Figure 15-8) was updated for clarity.

1 Chapter 16: Procedure Checklists were added for rules that require step-by-step calculations. The key term for the third process in pharmacokinetics was changed from biotransformation to metabolism to conform with the often-used acronym ADME.

1 Chapter 17: Information about calculating safe heparin IV dosages and performing heparin protocol calculations was merged in this chapter. Information about daily maintenance fluid needs (DMFN) was moved to this chapter. Step-by-step procedure checklists were added for calculating flow rates using DMFN, for determining safe dosage based on a patient’s ideal weight, and for finding IV flow rate based on weight per time.

1 Chapter 18: This completely new chapter was added to provide content for entry-level pharmacy technicians, including instructions for calculating the amount of medication to dispense and for calculating the days’ supply of a medication.

1 Chapter 19: Content from former Chapter 16 and Appendix A: Alligation Method were included in this new chapter targeted for entry-level pharmacy technicians. The chapter includes compounding calculations to determine quantities needed to make liquid, solid, or semisolid compounds, as well as to dilute stock products. In addition, the chapter includes new content to explain calculations using specific gravity.

Instructor Resources

McGraw-Hill knows how much effort it takes to prepare for a new course. Through focus groups, symposia, reviews, and conversations with instructors like you, we have gathered information about what materials you need in order to facilitate successful courses. We are committed to provide you with high-quality, accurate instructor support.

A one-stop spot to present, deliver, and assess digital assets available from McGraw-Hill: McGraw-Hill Connect for Booth/Whaley: Math &

Dosage Calculations

McGraw-Hill Connect for Math & Dosage Calculations provides online presentation, assignment, and assessment solutions. It connects your students with the tools and resources they’ll need to achieve success. With Connect you can deliver assignments, quizzes, and tests online. A robust set of questions and activities, including all of the endof-chapter questions, additional algorithmic math exercises focused on the three calculation methods, and interactives, are presented and aligned with the text’s learning outcomes. As an instructor, you can edit existing questions and author entirely new problems. Connect enables you to track individual student performance—by question, by assignment, or in relation to the class overall—with detailed grade reports. You can integrate grade reports easily with Learning Management Systems (LMSs), such as Blackboard, Desire2Learn, or eCollege—and much more.

Connect for Math & Dosage Calculations provides students with all the advantages of Connect for Math & Dosage Calculations plus 24/7 online access to an eBook. This media-rich version of the textbook is available through the McGraw-Hill Connect platform and allows seamless integration of text, media, and assessments. To learn more, visit http://connect .mheducation.com.

A single sign-on with Connect and your Blackboard course: McGraw-Hill Education and Blackboard—for a premium user experience

Blackboard, the web-based course management system, has partnered with McGraw-Hill to better allow students and faculty to use online materials and activities to complement face-to-face teaching. Blackboard features exciting social learning and teaching tools that foster active learning opportunities for students. You’ll transform your closed-door classroom into communities in which students remain connected to their educational experience 24 hours a day. This partnership allows you and your students access to McGraw-Hill’s Connect and Create right from within your Blackboard course—all with a single sign-on. Not only do you get single sign-on with Connect and Create, but you also get deep integration of McGraw-Hill content and content engines right in Blackboard. Whether you’re choosing a book for your course or building Connect assignments, all the tools you need are right where you want them—inside Blackboard. Gradebooks are now seamless. When a student completes an integrated Connect assignment, the grade for that assignment automatically (and instantly) feeds into your Blackboard grade center. McGraw-Hill and Blackboard can now offer you easy access to industry-leading technology and content, whether your campus hosts it or we do. Be sure to ask your local McGraw-Hill representative for details.

Want a single sign-on solution when using another Learning Management System?

See how McGraw-Hill Campus makes the grade by offering universal sign-on, automatic registration, gradebook synchronization, and open access to a multitude of learning resources—all in one place. MH Campus supports Active Directory, Angel, Blackboard, Canvas, Desire2Learn, eCollege, IMS, LDAP, Moodle, Moodlerooms, Sakai, Shibboleth, WebCT, BrainHoney, Campus Cruiser, and Jenzibar eRacer. Additionally, MH Campus can be easily connected with other authentication authorities and LMSs. Visit http://mhcampus.mhhe .com/ to learn more.

At-a-glance analysis on your class’s progress: Connect Insight

Connect Insight™ is the first and only analytics tool of its kind, which highlights a series of visual data displays—each framed by an intuitive question—to provide at-a-glance information regarding how your class is doing. As an instructor or administrator, you receive an instant, at-a-glance view of student performance on five key insights. It puts real-time analytics in your hands so you can take action early and keep struggling students from falling behind. It also empowers you by providing a more valuable, transparent, and productive connection between you and your students. Available on demand wherever and whenever it’s needed, Connect Insight travels from office to classroom!

Create a textbook organized the way you teach: McGraw-Hill Create

With McGraw-Hill Create, you can easily rearrange chapters, combine material from other content sources, and quickly upload content you have written, such as your course syllabus or teaching notes. Find the content you need in Create by searching through thousands of leading McGraw-Hill textbooks. Arrange your book to fit your teaching style. Create even allows you to personalize your book’s appearance by selecting the cover and adding your name, school, and course information. Order a Create book and you’ll receive a complimentary print review copy in three to five business days or a complimentary electronic review copy (eComp) via email in minutes. Go to www.mcgrawhillcreate.com today and register to experience how McGraw-Hill Create empowers you to teach your students your way.

Record and distribute your lectures for multiple viewing: My Lectures—Tegrity

McGraw-Hill Tegrity records and distributes your class lecture with just a click of a button. Students can view it anytime and anywhere via computer, iPod, or mobile device. It indexes as it records your PowerPoint presentations and anything shown on your computer, so students can use keywords to find exactly what they want to study. Tegrity is available as an integrated feature of McGraw-Hill Connect for Math & Dosage Calculations and as a stand-alone product.

LearnSmart is one of the most effective and successful adaptive learning resources available on the market today and is now available for Math and Dosage Calculations for Healthcare Professionals. More than 2 million students have answered more than 1.3 billion questions in LearnSmart since 2009, making it the most widely used and intelligent adaptive study tool, one that has proven to strengthen memory recall, keep students in class, and boost grades. Studies show that students using LearnSmart are 13% more likely to pass their classes and are 35% less likely to drop out. This revolutionary learning resource is available only from McGraw-Hill Education. See the power of LearnSmart for yourself by trying it today at http://learnsmartadvantage.com/trial.

New from McGraw-Hill Education, LearnSmart Advantage is a series of adaptive learning products fueled by LearnSmart, the most widely used and intelligent adaptive learning resource, which has been proven to improve learning since 2009. Developed to deliver demonstrable results in boosting grades, increasing course retention, and strengthening memory recall, the LearnSmart Advantage series spans the entire learning process from course preparation through final exams. LearnSmart Advantage also provides the first and only adaptive reading experience in SmartBook. Distinguishing what students know from what they don’t, and honing in on concepts they are most likely to forget, each product in the series helps students study smarter and retain more knowledge. A smarter learning experience for students coupled with valuable reporting tools for instructors, and available in hundreds of course areas, LearnSmart Advantage is advancing learning like no other product in higher education today. Go to www.LearnSmartAdvantage.com for more information.

SmartBook is the first and only adaptive reading experience available today. SmartBook personalizes content for each student in a continuously adapting reading experience. Reading is no longer a passive and linear experience, but an engaging and dynamic one where students are more likely to master and retain important concepts, coming to class better prepared. Valuable reports provide instructors with insight as to how students are progressing through textbook content, and are useful for shaping in-class time or assessment. As a result of the adaptive reading experience found in SmartBook, students are more likely to retain knowledge, stay in class, and get better grades. This revolutionary technology is available only from McGraw-Hill Education and for hundreds of courses—including Math and Dosage Calculations for Healthcare Professionals—as part of the LearnSmart Advantage series.

Best-in-Class Digital Support

Based on feedback from our users, McGraw-Hill Education has developed Digital Success Programs that will provide you and your students with the help you need, when you need it.

• Training for instructors: Get ready to drive classroom results with our Digital Success Team—ready to provide in-person, remote, or on-demand training as needed.

• Peer support and training: No one understands your needs like your peers. Get easy access to knowledgeable digital users by joining our Connect Community, or speak directly with one of our Digital Faculty Consultants, who are instructors using McGrawHill digital products.

• Online training tools: Get immediate, anytime/anywhere access to modular tutorials on key features through our Connect Success Academy.

Get started today. Learn more about McGraw-Hill Education’s Digital Success Programs by contacting your local sales representative or visit http://connect.customer.mcgraw-hill .com/start.

Need help? Contact McGraw-Hill’s Customer Experience Group (CXG)

Visit the CXG website at www.mhhe.com/support. Browse our FAQs and product documentation and/or contact a CXG representative. CXG is available Sunday through Friday.

ALEKS® (www.aleks.com)

Math and Dosage Calculations for Healthcare Professionals also offers the integration of an ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) “Prep Course” (see the three pages immediately before the beginning of Unit 1). Topics covered and remediated in ALEKS are noted by marginal icons throughout the first seven chapters.

ALEKS is a dynamic online learning system for mathematics education, available over the Web 24/7. ALEKS assesses students knowledge, and then guides them to the material that they are most ready to learn. With a variety of reports, Textbook Integration Plus, quizzes, and homework assignment capabilities, ALEKS offers flexibility and ease of use for instructors.

• ALEKS uses artificial intelligence to determine exactly what each student knows and is ready to learn. ALEKS remediates student gaps and provides highly efficient learning and improved learning outcomes.

• ALEKS is a comprehensive curriculum that aligns with syllabi or specified textbooks. Used in conjunction with McGraw-Hill texts, it also provides students with links to textspecific videos, multimedia tutorials, and textbook pages.

• Textbook Integration Plus allows ALEKS to align automatically with syllabi or specified McGraw-Hill textbooks with instructor-chosen dates, chapter goals, homework, and quizzes.

• ALEKS with AI-2 gives instructors increased control over the scope and sequence of student learning. Students using ALEKS demonstrate a steadily increasing mastery of the course content.

• ALEKS offers a dynamic classroom management system that enables instructors to monitor and direct student progress toward mastery of course objectives.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

• Instructor’s Manual with course overview, lesson plans, answers to Review and Practice Sections, End-of-Chapter Homework Assignments and Chapter Reviews, Unit Assessments, competency correlations, sample syllabi, and more.

• PowerPoint Presentations for each chapter, containing teaching notes correlated to learning outcomes. Each presentation seeks to reinforce key concepts and provide an additional visual aid for students.

• Test Bank and answer key for use in class assessment. The comprehensive test bank includes a variety of question types, with each question linked directly to a learning outcome from the text. Questions are also tagged with relevant topic, Bloom’s taxonomy level, difficulty level, and competencies, where applicable. The test bank is available in Connect; and the EZ Test version is also available.

Another random document with no related content on Scribd:

–Josafat tens qu'estimar-me, sents? ¿Per qué estás ofés? ¿Qué t'he fet? ¿Quí t'ha parlat mal de mí? Vols que m quedi am tú, aquí, per sempre?

–Vull que marxis lluny, que no t'acostis, vetho-aqui.

–Josafat!…

–Aparta-t.

–No puc, et desitjo am tota l'ánima…

–Mai més, encara que t morissis.

–Josafat…

–Véste-ten dic.

La Fineta allargá ses mans i moxicosa, dolça, acentuant més son ronc apassionat, intentá repenjar-se amb el campaner, i passar-li sos dits pel crani punxagut pera estarrufar-li el cabell.

Josafat llençá un crit enfollit, negre, fatídic. –Llamp t'esquerdi– i son colze s'enfonsá am violencia en la massa flonja del si de la bagassa.

Aprés, am la mateixa facilitat que engrapava els llivants de les campanes, engrapá els braçets de la Fineta per llençar-la al carrer, pro al tocar-la, al sentir la pell lliscar dins el satí, s'esborroná i desfé aquell contacte que li rebifava masses recorts; tingué por d'aquella suavitat tan admirada i tan voluptuosament fruída.

Un cop lliure, ella s'encongí i, am l'intencionat espurneig de ses nines verdes, mossegava una arteria que glatía en l'ampla gorja del campaner.

–Troçeje-m pro no lograrás allunyar-me de tu; no m'en aniré; aquí m tindrás sempre desitjan-te, comprometen-te, fins que m'estimis com abans. Aixó digué la mossa i al notar un moviment agressiu den Josafat, afegí: –Arrossega-m, au, prov-ho, xisclaré, tothom me sentirá, si ve gent m'arraparé a tu i provaré de petonejar-te perque ho vegin.

Aná a seure-s en l'escambell den Josafat.

–Mira ja estic aposentada, nit i die esperaré que torni ton amor.

En la brega s'eren afluixades ses robes i esbullats sos cabells. Son esguard maligne passava a través de les rosses madeixes despreses dels bandós, am un brill hipnótic, provocador, insufrible, mentres de sa boca irónica n'eixíen paraules que esqueixaven la pell com fiblades de tralla.

–Cobart, hipócrita, qui t'aconcellat, qui t'ho ha manat que m traguessis– i motejá als protectors den Josafat d'una manera orripilant. –Dejuna tú que ells ja s'afarten.– En sabía moltes histories dels ensotanats; varies vegades s'havía deixat esclafar per ells. –Pesen, pesen, son del teu tremp, Josafat, pro fas bé de no fiarten, a na tu te n treurien del campanar, pero a na mi em ficaríen de bona gana en el seu llit. Creu-los, Josafat, creu-los, sigues bon home. Dejuna que ells ja s'afarten. I esclatá en una rialla aspre, discordant,

endemoniada, i llençá més verí, més odi, desfogant son despit am paraules cíniques i gestes indecents.

El campaner mirava a l'entorn cercant una eina forta i dura que anés be per esclafar d'un sol cop aquell cap d'escorçó que l'enartava llençant-li per les dilatades pupiles tota la força nerviosa de son cos d'histérica vibrant d'ira, ple d'esgarrifoses estridencies.

La Fineta degué compendre les intencions del campaner perque es redressá d'un bot epiléptic.

–Jo soc vinguda am les entranyes enceses per tú; mata-m, pro morta i freda encara seguiré desitjan-te. En Josafat am tota sa grandaria i am tot son coratge s'estamordí; tan espantable i resolta estava la Fineta. La bagassa no surtiría, era inútil. Li agafá un pànic indescriptible; corría alocat per les estretors d'aquella cambra.

Impensadament la Fineta sanglotá: demanava una almoina d'amor, s'arrossegava humil i afligida, aprofitant la llum grisa complascent i temptadora del díe agónic. Cridava al campaner am mots dels qu'ella inventava en els grans éxtasis erótics, en els grans esvaïments del plaer, i cercant-lo el perseguía com una ombra luxuriosa, com un fantasma infernalment apassionat. I com el jorn de sa primera victoria, aprop del cilindre de la tenebrosa escala, al mig d'un dels estiraments que precedíen sempre a tots sos esclats d'amor mes terribles. –Vina, vina, cridá, am veu de gorja ronca i enfarfegada, –tanca i vina. No podia acabar pas aixís nostre gran amor; tú ja ho veus… tanca i vina.

En Josafat corrents aná a la porta pro, en lloc de tancar-la, surtí a fora i pegá una ullada de cap a cap del temple. Allá baix, junt als pilans del absis, es movía una silueta alta i severa; avançava am magestuosa pausa, i tenía la venerable esbeltesa del bondadós padre.

El campaner reculá, esverat, am pas oscilant, la cara trágica i suada.

Fermá la porta. La bagassa en son lloc l'esperava; son dors despullat resplandía, una blancor de brumera enrondava sa cintura i, fins els peus, encara el negre fai la tapava.

–Per fí, saïná, i triomfanta, feu esmunyir ses robes.

La grapa orripilant den Josafat es clavá en la nuesa de la dòna temeraria; am sa força colosal la rebotí contra els primers graons de l'elix fatídica; el crani de la Fineta colpejá en la pedra dura i una violenta estremitut la deixà enrampada.

En Josafat, amatent, va apilonar la roba tebia, flairosa sobre la avergonyidora carn de la Fineta, passá el forrallat i, deixant-la enclosa en la foscor de la caixa, s'allunyá rápidament d'aquell lloc sinistre.

VIII

I no vingué l'ombra alta i severa.

“Vetllaré per vos; el pecat que contamina vostra ánima es d'aquells que solen perdurar en els homens; vostre ser está saturat de concupiscencia i facilment tornariau a caure.” Aixís li parlá el confessor en l'hora solemnial de la absolució, i aixó recordava en Josafat, i aixó determiná aquella violencia.

Anava revenint-se.

Que havía passat, que havía fet, que succeiría? Sos ulls jaspiats registraven els recons més foscos de la gran nau. L'instint li aconcellà barrar tota l'esglesia. Silenciosament, precavut i desconfiat, feu sa ronda esbrinant capella per capella fins tenir el convenciment de que l temple estava desert. Aprés el sorollà am l'espatéc de les reixes, amb els grinyols dels panys i forrallats, i quan fou a la porta forana tragué l cap per la portella del cancell.

En la deserta placeta les lloses de les tombes reflecsaven la llum crepuscular grisa, i esblaimada; l'herba que dibuixava les juntures era tendra humida, hermosament verda i les fatxades de les cases properes semblaven fesomies condormides. Una pobre vella eixía tremolosa d'una gran portalada i s'allunyava ranquejant, fent petar contra l'empedrat la ferrada virolla de son gaiato.

En Josafat barrá també la portella, i aná a veure lo que havía succeit en la caixa de la escala.

Pel camí, recordá que havía ovirat els ulls de la bagassa girant desesperadament dintre la fosca de ses conques, com despedint-se de la vida. Una corrent freda serpejá per ses cames débils i trémoles, son cor semblà enfeblir-se i morir am rápids i menuts esbatecs, i l pressentiment de que sa tranquilitat estava perduda per sempre, li atenellá l'esperit.

Era fosc i encengué la llumanera. Obri. La Fineta en actitut desonesta fitava en ell un mirar enterbolit de pasme i terror; de sos llavis morats surtía quelcom repugnant que brillava a l'inquiet parpelleig de la petita flama; tenía el cap apretat per la contrapetja del tercer graó, la barba enfonsada en el pit, i els bandós esbullats se li enganxaven pel front lluent; una lluissor llefiscosa que feia ressaltar més la espaventable palidesa.

En Josafat en aitals moments anyorá totes les passades benauranses de sa vida, tingué present un per un tots els favors rebuts, tots els somriures bondadosos, totes les esquenades amígables.

Volgué tocar a la Fineta i sa nuesa l'acobardí, encara li despertava luxuríoses idees.

–Dèu ser freda, pensava, freda com gebre, “He vingut am les entranyes enceses per tu, morta i tot seguiré desitjan-te,” i era cert, allí en son ventre una inperceptible onada pareixía iniciar el moviment luxuriós.

Dalt de l'escala colpejava el rellotje. En Josafat reculá i començá a contar aquells sotracs del temps: una… dues… tres… set hores. Tenía tota la nit per meditar. Una serenitat pasmosa gurí son esperit, empró, ses carns tremolaven encara.

Feu l'últim toc de la tarda: era fácil, no més calía ventar una estravada al llivantó que movía el batall de la María, reposar mig minut, i tornar-hi… Ell mateix s'estranyá de lo bé que complía sa tasca, tan a frec d'un cadávre.

La llumanera deixada al sòl projectava l'ombra den Josafat dalt de la volta, i aquella silueta colosal am son cap enorme, ses cames infinides i sos braços enlairats moguent-se calmosos, semblava gratar serenament els carreus desjuntats, per obrir-hi una fosa.

I l'ombra li sugeri una idea: un home com ell no debía espaordir-se per amagar el cos d'una mala dòna, allí ont hi havía tants espais, tantes buidors, tantes tenebres, tants llocs ignorats de la gent. Oh, no perdería ni un dels bons amics, ni una boca deixaría de somriure-li, ni una mà de trucar-li la espatlla.

Pensá en un sac que hi havía en sa cambra i volgué pujar-hi per cercar el sac, pro l tenir que destrompassar a la Fineta li repugnava.

Feu una llarga marrada per la sagrestía on desembocava la escala de la torre románica. Tingué que desfermar dos o tres portes, i posá gran mirament en no fer soroll. En sa cambra vegé el catre esbullat i pensá que aquella nit no podría reposar-hi, que una feina llarga i penosa l'esperava. Retorná allá ont era la Fineta amb el sac al braç, i al posar-li les mans a sobre no la trobá pas freda. Allavores li agafá

un esverament d'idiota. Corregué per tota l'esglesia, afollat i suspirós.

Aprés s'arraulí al cap-de-vall del absís, lo més lluny possible d'aquell dimoni que ressucitava.

D'un moment a l'altre li semblava que tota la nau ombrívola i silenciosa tenía que ser pertorbada per l'aparició de la bagassa. Per primera volta en sa vida mirá am recel el fons de les capelles, allí ont els vesllums de les llanties acaronaven incerts retaules i sepulcres.

I altrament cregué ovirar-la eixint de la capella baptismal, caminant tota núa, blanca com la cera, pausada com la fatalitat, els ulls girats, els cabells flamejants, els braços oberts, cercant-lo. –Vina… vina…

Josafat cambiá de lloc. Posternat enfront del sagrari s'arrapá neguitosament a la gran reixa, vora la llantia.

La flama diminuta i oscilanta escampava sa llum bondadosa per la testa del campaner acotada i meditabonda. Els fantasmes, els misteris, les paüres de la nit semblaven finir, esvair-se en el cercle de llum esgrogueída. Allí una santa pau, una magestuosa serenitat, una grandiosa calma aconortaven al campaner. Car res temía en Josafat baix l'amparo del Santissim.

En la bonança d'aquell redós sentí passar les hores, correr la nit i naixre una vaga esperança de que lo mediat, entre ell i la Fineta, era un pesat ensomni… Quan l'hermosa llum del día aclarís el vitratjes, quan el sol anés clapejant de vius colors pilans i capitells, sepulcres i retaules, quan l'or enlluernés en els altars i somriguessin les irisacions en la faç dels sants, estaría lliure per sempre de la bagassa; ella hauría desaparegut escarmentada. I la veia dreta am sos dits

plens d'anells, els anells qu'ell tan admirava, arreglant-se els rinxos esbullats, les arrugues del vestit, mentres am sos peuets llençava despreciativa el sac que tenía que servir-li de mortalla.

¡El sac! ¡El sac!… perque am tanta llestesa aná a cercar-lo? La meditació sobre aqueix perque fou llarga i penosa.

Entretant la grossa campana del rellotge medía conciensudament el temps; ses onades ressonantes sosmovíen les tenebres, i feien parpallejar la llumaneta del Santíssim.

I fou allá, a les dotze, que un xiscle llastimós vingut del campanar esqueixá l pregon silenci de l'esglesia. La nau majestuosa repetí l'esfereïdora estridencia, allargant-la, rebotint-la d'assí i d'allá, fins deixatar-la en la sobirana calma de la mitja nit.

El xiscle era tan penetrant, tan agút, tan ferm que en Josafat el cregué resseguint els ambits del mon, desvetllant a la ciutat esglaiada, revelant als homens l'existencia de la bagassa agonitsanta, núa, impùdica i blasfema dins la torre sinistre.

Vindrien jutges i butxins; la gent s'escruixiría; els bons clergues tindrien remordiments d'haver-li confiat les campanes, les imatjes, les coses santes; l'esglesia bruta de sang profanadora tindría que esser purificada pera hostatjar altra volta a Deu sagramentat, i quant ell espiés son crim sobre el desonrós cadafalc, els pares li aproparíen llurs infants per hauren esmena.

La paüra corría per entre la pell i l'os de son crani deprimit, riçant-li les arrels de l'aspre cabellera.

No podía deixar que s repetís el crit aixordador, i, amatent i esgarrifat, s'endinzá en l'esbiaixada porta.

Trobá a la Fineta revolcant-se pels graons, rebotía son cos per les pedres, grans gemecs s'escapaven de sa boca, bleixava fort i seguit, mentres obría i tancava els braços com estrenyent un aimant invisible.

El campaner pensá en atüir a la bagassa i cercant el medi, enlairá son esguard plé d'ánsia. Penjades de la volta les pedres enrodonides, a la meitat de sa ruta, seguíen baixant, lentes, fatals, inconscients i dòcils, vers la terra. Teníen la duresa i crudeltat que an ell li mancava pera finir la agonía exasperant, i llur pesantor tremenda sabría ofegar els cruximents satánics, les discordancies de perdició que exalava el cos morent de la Fineta.

Arrocegant-la, la colocà sota la vertical dels contrapesos.

Començá una espera llarga, enguniosa, en la qual contava ls sotracs del pèndul, el colpejar de son cor, aquell cabar fatídic de trapense, aquell retruny isòcron que sonava en la tenebrosa escala.

I la gorja de la Fineta s'inflava atapaida de nous xiscles, de nous gemecs estridents, de nous crits de suprema angoixa, i l campaner, en un esclat d'impaciencia, feu ell lo que havía encomenat a les lleis de la materia, a la inércia de les coses.

D'un sol braçat recullí la morta am ses robes, i rebregant-ho tot, apilant-ho tot, ho enquiví dins la caixa del banc d'esglesia.

El cap se li esbaía, els jonolls se li flectaven i, am grans esforços pujá a sa cambra.

Allí engolí un bon troç de pà, begué d'un sol trago una citra de vi negre i agessant-se en son catre, clogué les parpelles en un desmai de tot son esser.

IX

Aprés del toc d'oració en Josafat obrí l temple. L'empenta del cancell sorollá tota la nau, i una glopada d'auba entrá suptil i flairosa. Més tart els vitratjes dels finestrals i rosons s'aclaraven, i les llanties, amb extremituts agóniques, reduint el cercle de sa llum s'esmortuiren.

Escolanets plens d'irreverenta joia trescaven per les capelles; en la sagrestía els clergues am plácida serietat es revestíen; jovenetes de galtes rosades, que la negra mantellina pessigollejava, preníen aigua beneita i esparramant-se per l'esglesia cercaven llur confés; vellets de fronts espaiosos i mans tremoloses oíen missa am gran devoció; aquí i allí repicaven campanetes, i resos fervents am sòpit mormuri, brollaven arreu.

En Josafat veia en els rostres, en les actituts, en els esguards, en les genufleccions, en el petjar silenciós i reverent, en les mans conmoses dels fidels que s signaven, una pau santa i una tranquilitat de conciencia qu'envejava com un dó impossible de conseguir. S'adoná també de que a fora els pardals xerrotejaven en els modelats dels finestrals, de que el sol acalentava rioler els vidres de colors, de que la brisa matinal filtrant-se per les escletxes de les portes duia perfums i enjogassades remors, i son esperit, malmés per l'horror del crim, medí per primera volta lo bo i agradós d'aquelles coses.

An ell sols li restava vetllar, vetllar sempre; per que ningú descobrís aquell cadávre que planant sobre sa vida, com un pellingo endolat, l'ombrejava tota.

Ferm i en guarda, en la entrada del campanar, esbrinant la proximitat dels escolanets portadors de comandes, no s'allunyava mai del banc d'esglesia, l'orella atenta, la boca grunyidora, la vista fulgoranta.

A voltes creia percebre un panteig pregon dins el banc, obría am gran precaució la caixa i a la llum freda i morta que atrevassava el mur, ovirava envolcallades de penombra clapes informes de nuesa esgrogeida entre rebrecs de fai bruts i polsosos.

Una alenada pudenta de suor i malaltía muntava del fons de l'improvisat ataut, i el mateix recargolament de cabells de la nit, resseguí el crani den Josafat.

Finides les rel·ligioses ceremonies del matí; deserta l'esglesia i éll lliure d'obligacions, sentí necesitat d'alleugerir son ánima, d'allunyar-se de la morta, i pujá a les golfes de la nau. Allí mirá al lluny, vers les blavoses montanyes, vers son poblet, vers el païs assoleiat de fresques ubagues i prads hermosos on la pastora s'hi enjogassava temptant sa honesta adolescencia i ont ell fugía del pecat, fortalescut per les contínues prédiques del sant rector. Volgué haver-ne conçol d'aquelles llunyaníes, d'aquell passat, d'aquells records agradosos, pro el cos értic i pudent de la Fineta s'interposava i era més gran, més dominador que l sol, que l'espai atzurat, que l'Univers, resplandent de llum joiosa.

I l sobtá, a l'impensada, una greu angoixa, una inquietut tremenda. Havía fet mal fet de desamparar a la morta; calía vigilar ferm, no tenir ni un descuit ni una imprevisió, cap porta era prou segura, cap lloc prou amagat, sempre hi havía un rastre per descubrir els crims, mai mancava una escletxa per ovirar les malifetes. Descendí, barroer, neguitós, afollat. Depressa, abaix, pod-ser a l'entorn del banc hi trovaría a la justicia!

Hi trobá l silenci, el maligne silenci de sempre, el que feia mesos xiulava en ses orelles, el que de tant temps era son negre conceller, el que havía revifat ses passions, encés son cor de liviandat i d'ira.

Respirà fressosament: ara calía no rendir-se fins que les humanes despulles es cobrissin de verms, es tornessin pols, vent empudegant, resquicia inapreciable.

El die com pesanta cadena s'arrocegava lent i pérfit. En Josafat, en sa espera macábrica, esperonava son magí amb una toçuderia crudel, insana. Les idees trotaven per un cercle reduit desenfrenades i confoses, inventant plans deslliuradors, medis per despendre-s de l'embalúm fastigós que comensava a pudrir-se en la caixa del banc, i que creixía amenaçador, es feia enorme, acaparant l'espai, l'aire, la llum de sos dominis. I pensava en Josafat en un ganivet de tall suptil capáç de trocejar la carn de la Fineta en llengues primes que l vent pogués endur-sen; pensava en una flama devoradora que consumís sense fumera ni fator; en un líquit corrossiu, un vidriol, una aiga-fort que digerís fins els ossos; en un oratje de monstruosa força que fés voleiar les coses mes pesantes; en una torrentera térbola i profonda que s'allunyés dissimulada sense fressa ni recança; i en una munió de

besties carniceres que vinguessin a omplenar llurs ventres famolencs i descomunals.

Cap a la tarda li entrá un desfici martiritzador; una desconfiança suprema. Es malfiá de la proximitat de l'esglesia; pensá en lo impensat. Obrí de nou la tapa del banc i, sense llei de repugnancia, ensacá el rígit cadavre. Abans de lligar el trist envalatje, serenament, registrá el fons de la caixa per no deixar-hi cap rastre femení. Trobá una pinteta, dues agulles de ganxo despreses de la cabellera de la morta que, desplegada completament, s'enredava en les suades manaces del campaner, resistint-se a ser ficada dins la saca.

Llesta la funeraria tasca, restá un moment indecís determinant on portaría aquell fato amoïnador. El portá al primer estatje del campanar deixant-lo sobre un pilot de runa, cobert amb una estora vella.

Justament quan hagué retornat trucaren a la porta; darrera, en la capella baptismal sonava una veu que l'anomenava. El campaner empedreida la ganyota trágica en sa boca innoble, mostrá ses genives grogues d'espant on s'encastaven unes dents blanques fortes i apretades, entre les quines passava un bleix sorollós, esgarrifador com un grinyol de llima que mossega ferro.

Es resistía a obrir i ls cops seguien més violents, i la veu cridava més clara i més potenta.

Allavors entengué.

Ja fosc, surtía acompanyant al viátic, amoinat per lo sovint que calía cumplir aital obligació.

De tornada sentí, per sobre l'esglesia enmantellada per un cel negre i brufol, un refrec estrany com el batre d'unes ales monstruoses.

La petita flama de la llanterna se li apagá, i el campaner esporuguit, apres de maldar una bella estona per fer girar la clau, restá amb el puny tremolós sobre la freda tola que folrava la clavatejada i revinguda porta forana, sens gosar-la empenyer.

–I ara Josafat qu'esperes? digué una veu pausada i serena.

Havía oblidat al sacerdot, al escolanet i als acompanyants que les ratxes de la xardorosa ponentada rebregaven.

Entraren al temple i, un cop el pany gemegá radera els que surtíen, el campaner tot sol romangué estamordit aprop del cancell.

El ponent mujía com una fera irada i venjadora; tota l'esglesia ressentint-se de l'empenta enorme, llençava melangioses queixes, llastimosos sospirs, que passaven de llarc a llarc de les tenebres; creixent i apaibagant-se. Era un seguit de notes planyideres, un concert anguniós i fùnebre que sugestionava an en Josafat, inmovilisant-lo.

Al fí, resignat per endevant a sa llarga i penosa vetlla, aná a arraulirse vora la llantia del Santíssim.

Com la nit passada els ulls del campaner, inexpressius, lluents de bojería, esbrinaren els indrets de la capella baptismal, aprés,

tombant la testa sópita, conduí aquella mirada trista i anguniosa pels ambits de la nau, en espera de quelcom imposant que sens dupte anava a sorgir-hi.

A cada segón remors desconeguts, fresses noves, agitaven el glatir de son cor aniquilat: ja era l cruiximent de la fusta dels altars; ja l soroll d'una pedreta arrocegada per les golfes, que la força del vent estimbava pels forats dels ganfanons; ja un trontoll dels vitratjes o be l miolar tristíssim i llunyà d'un gat perdut en les laberíntiques buidors, en els innombrables espais enclosos dins les gruixaries dels murs ciclòpics. I tot alló l'eco de la nau inmensa ho engrandía, i fins l'orga semblava respondre el nocturn esglaiador. Dels llarcs canons n'eixíen sonoritats estranyes, lleus, imperceptibles, que escampaven arreu una harmonía misteriosa, incerta, de febròs deliri, d'ensomni tràgic.

La testa den Josafat seguía rodant am pausat moviment de máquina. Estava convençut de que l'espectre de la bagassa vindría convidant-lo a palpar son ventre, l'ona fogosa que sosmovía les mortes entranyes, lascives encara.

Al apropar-se l'auba, al pensar que l'esglesia seria oberta, invadida per la gent, l'escometé aquell mateix desfici iniciat a última hora de la tarda. En la inmensa pertorbació de son magí, sola, única; violenta i dominadora, restá una idea: amagar més bé el cadávre de la Fineta.

Pujá doncs al compartiment del campanar. Els carreus de la reclosa cambra reflectían la llum roja i fantàstica del troç d'atxa.

Un gat negre que ajaçat sobre l'estora dormía, fugí am les nines plenes de fosforecencies verdoses. En Josafat prengué son bagatje i desde allavors començà un tragí horrible que durá dos díes. Aposentá el sac en tots els amagatalls, l'enquiví en totes les estretors, el deixà en totes les tenebres. Una nit entera estigué arrocegant-lo pel llarc trifori perduda l'esma, volguent amagar-lo en el ninxo inmond, el mateix on ja en vida intentá sepultar-hi a la Fineta.

Al fí ensopegá am la porta de la torra románica i, devallant pels graons de la petita escala, sotraquejá el cadávre estovaint-lo, fent-li llençar bravades pestilentes.

Quan tingué tapada aquella mena de tomba oberta en el gruix de la adjuva, semblá asserenarse un xic i, capolat del esforç, es condormí una mitja hora durant la qual va somniar.

La Fineta esternallada al seu costat, inmensament freda, li esgarrapava el pit am ses ungles verinoses; li obría un esboranc, hi passava les mans, li espremía el cor i, amorrant-se a la nafra, xuglava la sang fins escolar-lo. I sentía el campaner una suor gebrada que l cubría, i dintre l pit un suprem defalliment, una angoixa de mort.

Aprés els dos se reviscolaven i la bagassa, inflada com una bomba de gas, volava lluny, molt lluny, i desde allá d'allá li signava adeu cloguent i descloguent sos dits enjoiats; i ell alegre, lliure de noses, corría a cercar son fluviol pera tocar la bona tonada de ritme plascévol i pastoril cadencia.

En Josafat durant el díe, en les hores que tenía obligació es comportava com si tal cosa: no més s'haurien pogut notar matiços de

desconfiança en el jaspi de sos ulls, i lleus estremituts en sa còrpora que traduíen esgarrifances de l'ánima.

En les estones de lléura de la tarda que l'esglesia s'aquietava, reapareixía son desfici; una força estranya a n-ell l'impulsava a vagar amb el fato macàbric.

Ultimament rendit i demacrat per vetlles i dejunis, amb un esforç titànic, muntà a les golfes de la gran volta i en la runa que omplenava els espais de les arcades, començá a cavar-hi una fossa. La ponentada seguía llepant am sa llengua folla la grandiosa esglesia; regolfades vertiginoses aixecaven pols i bilorda que cegaven al campaner; els asperons dels contraforts, tallant la massa fluída, la desviaven, la dividíen, arrancant-li xiulets i udols de monstre prehistòric.

El refrec metálic de l'ampla fulla del cávec am la runa de la volta, restava ofegat per l'atraút aixordador de l'ardida lluita.

I l campaner enfondía el clot am tota la pressa que li permetíen sos muscles laçats i fluixos.

El sobtà la nit. El ponent moría, passaven débils ratxes i, molt llunyá, sonava un remúc d'apaibagament i d'impotencia.

En Josafat trevallava sense llum, refiant-se no més de la entrenyinada celestía que passava per les obertures dels ventiladors. Tenía el sac aprop. Havía volgut cremar el cos pudent de la bagassa i ara, pel forát socarrimat, surtía un membre que de tant arrocegar-se pel sòl s'havía nafrat i no sagnava. El campaner, ficat com un taup dins la fosa, per no fer soroll, am les mans esgratinyava la runa. Oí

perfectament com un inmens sanglót de la naturalesa i l caure seguit d'una pluja espessa.

Sospengué la tasca i escoltá complascút una fressa de brollador que comensava a sentir-se. El rajar de les canals, el glu, glu de les gárgoles i el murmuri de riuada que pujava de la ciutat, l'alegraren.

Sortí de les golfes i per la teulada de l'absis sempre amb el sac a coll, començá a passejar-se sense verdadera intenció de res. Sols una vaga idea de que l'aigua ho purifica tot, de que l sac se rentava, de que podser la farúm empudeganta s'en aniría, de que ls ruixats refrescaríen son front cremós i enboirat, li daven conort.

En Josafat rigué al mig de la nit plorosa.

Per la pendent de les teules molles feia de mal caminar-hi, els peus li relliscaven i el sac, que aixopat pesava més, l'empenyía avall, com si en el cadavre es despertés una voluntat misteriosa.

El campaner seguí aquell impuls fins al caire del precipici. Sota séu, s'endinzava en la foscor l'esperó de l'adjuva. Encara era oviradora la taca negra de molsa i liquens arrelats en el junt de la cornisa, on finía la corva i comensava la plomada altíssima i perfecta.

En Josafat i son bagatje, reposant en el gruix de l'ample mur, anaven amarant-se.

Nuvolades espesses corríen sobre d'ells enfosquint la poca transparencia de les estrelles. Els xafecs refermaren i abaix, en l'abim enigmátic, l'aigua acarrerada entre l'esglesia i una paret del antic cementiri dels canonges, bramulava.

Josafat pará ment en l'absolut segret que prometía aquella torrentera. Cregué la nit eterna, la força de l'aiguat enorme, el carreró del fons inaccessible i en una sobtada contracció de sos braços débils, casi impotents, estimbá el pilot de carn fastigosa.

El sac esllanguít per tanta brega, fluixos els lligams i retingut per un espasme dels dits den Josafat, va buidar-se. Les robes de la bagassa voleiaren com aucells de nit, bategant contra els carreus, i el cos fou engolit pel negre espai.

Un sotrac mate, de cosa tova que no rebot ni vibra, marcà l terme d'aquella furienta devallada.

Amagat entre esquerdots i ortigues, deforme, contorsionat, infecte, restá el cadávre de la Fineta. I l'aigua que gitava la gárgola quimérica, caigué com baptisme purificador sobre sa nuesa.

L'endemá a primera hora el vicari de torn vejé un escolanet esperant en la porta principal de Santa María. El noi corregué a l'encontre del sacerdot.

El campaner no havía començat a senyalar la missa, esplicá el bailet, i, per més, qu'ell estirava el cordill cridant-lo, no obría ni dava cap mostra de vida.

Dues o tres devotes matineres s'eren apropades: Elles tampoc oiren tocar l'oració, i podíen ben jurar que aquell matí ni una campana d'aquella esglesia s'havía mogut. Era més estrany encara.

Vingueren més gent, més escolans i més clergues, i avisat el rector, feu s'arrivada al mig d'una gran curiositat i un gros silenci. Ell estirá l

cordill am ses mans blanques i apergaminades… Res. Hi torná… res tampoc, repetí l'estrabada i… sempre res.

Avisades les autoritats, un manyá va espanyar la gran porta. ¡Com ressonaven en el misteri interior de l'esglesia, les martellades del manyá! ¡Que difícil, llarga i penosa, fou la tasca! ¡I quina mena de paüra soptá a la gent, quant la porta cedí, i l'imposanta nau aparegué deserta i fosca!

Amatents, l'escamot de curiosos, empenyeren al rector i al jutge, pró, en el mateix llindar, tots restaren ficsos, sense bleixar, empedreits per la sorpresa, sobtats per lo impensat.

Un fluviol sonava dins la penombra santa. Un seguit de notes clares sortíen del trifori, i amb infantívola inquietut, atravessant les amplaries solemnes, rebotíen pel frontiç, aletejaven pels rosons, com aucellets frissosos de llibertat. Aprés, l'incorrecte melodía semblava resignar-se, esdevenía alegrament anyorívola, saltironava per les cornises, resseguía les motllures, joguinejava pels capitells, s'entortalligava en els pilans, giravoltava per l'absis, s'abatía fins al sòl, i muntava fins les claus de les arxivoltes; sempre incerta, inconscienta, indefinida, suptil, com una idea que s perd, com un

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOSAFAT ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1

with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

• You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information

about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

• You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

• You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

• You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or

damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH

1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.