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For Whom the Bell Tolls Chapter 12
They leave El Sordo's. Pilar (the woman) is breathing heavily, and they rest. She tells Maria to lay her head in her lap. She tells Robert Jordan that he can have her soon, and that she has never wanted her, but is jealous. Maria tells her not to talk like that. Pilar says that she wants Maria to be happy, but is not a tortillera (colloquial Spanish for lesbian). Maria says she loves her and Pilar says to lift her head because the silliness is over. Maria does not accept her making it all into a joke. Pilar embarrasses Robert Jordan, saying that his nickname, "little rabbit" is good, and that when she was young, she could have taken Maria. She apologizes again and tells them she does not feel like herself; perhaps the bridge has given her a headache. Robert Jordan jokes that he will drop the bridge like a banana out of its peel. Pilar tells them that she will leave them so they can do what they want to do, and Maria tells her not to speak grossly. Pilar explains that she was jealous because she feels ugly and old, but that Maria will not be nineteen forever. Robert Jordan wants to go back with her, but Maria says to let her go.
