Capítulo 5 y 6: La Casa y Biblioteca de Don Arturo (PDF)

## Capítulo 5 La casa de don Arturo - They left the city and took a secondary road between houses closed by the arrival of autumn. - After walking down a dirt path, the taxi stopped in front of a fence surrounded by tall hedges. - Aunt Lorenza paid the taxi driver and, after pressing the interco...

## Capítulo 5 La casa de don Arturo - They left the city and took a secondary road between houses closed by the arrival of autumn. - After walking down a dirt path, the taxi stopped in front of a fence surrounded by tall hedges. - Aunt Lorenza paid the taxi driver and, after pressing the intercom, the gate opened. - Don Arturo's house was a huge mansion with *three floors*, surrounded by a garden. - Godofredo, the butler, appeared on the porch and made them wipe their shoes until there was no dirt left. - Don Arturo was waiting for them. He was an old man with small eyes, who wore round glasses on the tip of his nose. Albert approached him to greet him: - We are circus artists. Excuse the inconvenience. - Don Arturo shook his hand. Aunt Lorenza was about to say something, but Pepe went ahead: - Don Arturo, we have a book. - Yes, your aunt told me something over the phone. - It is an old book - Guillermina continued. - The Viking wants to take it from the dwarfs! - Pepe added. - Well, well - Don Arturo chuckled - Now let me see that book. - Albert gave it to him. Don Arturo carefully began to turn the pages. The paper was rough, almost ocher. There were pages and pages written in beautiful handwriting, among drawings of ships, dragons, pirates, princesses, Indians... - This book is a jewel, sir - said Don Arturo - Allow me to ask you to sell it to me. - Sir, this book has no price - the old dwarf replied - If you promise me to keep it until the Viking leaves, I'll give it to you. It's a family heirloom. We all read it when we were children. - You can trust me - said Don Arturo - And tonight you will be my guests. We will take the book to the library. It will be safe there. Although the time is... - he added, looking at his pocket watch. - What's wrong? - Albert asked. - From midnight until dawn, the library is not open to visitors. As a child, they told me that at night, the characters in the books come out. Then, when it dawns, they return to their place. - Those are stories! - Aunt Lorenza exclaimed - I have to leave. - Stay a little longer, Aunt - Pepe begged. - No; it is getting late. - Don Arturo called the butler and told him: - Godofredo, go with the lady. - Miss - Aunt Lorenza corrected. - Take the lady in the car. Dinner, in half an hour. - The butler nodded seriously and circumspectly. Then, he took an umbrella and a flashlight. Aunt Lorenza said goodbye to Pepe and Guillermina, giving them a kiss and telling them to behave. ## Capítulo 6 La biblioteca de don Arturo - Guided by Don Arturo, they crossed several rooms whose furniture was covered by large sheets. There were large colored lamps, antique clocks and display cases with porcelain figurines. - They went down a long spiral staircase to an empty room, with cobwebs on the ceiling. At the other end, Don Arturo took a flashlight and a key, and opened the door to the library. - They entered a hallway with bookshelves on both sides. They went from floor to ceiling and got lost in the darkness that the flashlight's light could not reach. - Don Arturo, walking first, commented: - The library doesn't have light for fear of a fire. My family has been collecting books for over two centuries. I don't read much now. My eyesight is failing; but as a child, I spent days reading and rereading my favorite adventure novels. - They turned a corner formed by more bookshelves. Don Arturo commented: - This part has the pirate books. Old sea wolves who sailed the Seven Seas. Privateers, buccaneers and filibusters who drank rum, searched for treasure on lost islands, had wooden legs, hooks, patched eyes with a black cloth and a ring in their ear, and cursed and fought over anything unimportant. - Pepe saw large books covered with dust and cobwebs. The ribbons used to mark the pages were frayed at the edge of the shelf. - After turning another hallway, Don Arturo explained: - Here the dragon books begin; and beyond, the ones that talk about fairies, elves and goblins. - At the beginning of another corridor, a sign read: "Once upon a time, no one knows where, no one knows when..." Pepe saw closed doors, which disappeared into the darkness at the end of the hall. Don Arturo explained: - This is the oldest part of the library. Its rooms hold parchments and very old books. One of my ancestors was an adventurer. He traveled by balloon and brought memories of the worlds he visited. - Finally, at the end of another long hallway, they climbed two steps and reached a semicircular room that did not continue. Don Arturo found a spot with his flashlight and put down the book. Then, looking at his watch: - And now, my friends, we should leave. Godofredo is waiting with a delicious dinner. - Will there be custard for dessert? - Pepe asked. - There will be custard - Don Arturo answered, laughing - And chocolate. - They returned to the main part of the house. Through the windows, the rain fell softly.