For Whom the Bell Tolls

by Ernest Hemingway

“For the bridges; the boy,” Agustín said. “This he must know. Look at the fine manner in which the other organized the train.” “Yes,” Pilar said. “It was really he who planned all.” “You for energy and resolution,” Agustín said. “But Pablo for the moving. Pablo for the retreat. Force him now to study it.” “You are a man of intelligence.” “Intelligent, yes,” Agustín said. “But sin picardía. Pablo for that.” “With his fear and all?” “With his fear and all.” “And what do you think of the bridges?” “It is necessary. That I know. Two things we must do. We must leave here and we must win. The bridges are necessary if we are to win.” “If Pablo is so smart, why does he not see that?” “He wants things as they are for his own weakness. He wants to stay in the eddy of his own weakness. But the river is rising. Forced to a change, he will be smart in the change. Es muy vivo.” “It is good that the boy did not kill him.” “Qué va. The gypsy wanted me to kill him last night. The gypsy is an animal.” “You’re an animal, too,” she said. “But intelligent.” “We are both intelligent,” Agustín said. “But the talent is Pablo!” “But difficult to put up with. You do not know how ruined.” “Yes. But a talent. Look, Pilar. To make war all you need is intelligence. But to win you need talent and material.”