THE MAN WHO CAME FOR HER
Two weeks later, a wealthy plantation owner named Silveira arrived at Santo António.
He had heard rumors.
He walked into the yard with two men behind him.
“I hear you have an unusual worker.”
Joaquim said nothing.
Silveira smiled.
“The tall one.”
“Her name is Benedita.”
“I’d like to see her.”
“No.”
Silveira’s smile disappeared.
“You misunderstand me.”
“No,” Joaquim replied.
“I understand perfectly.”
Silveira stepped closer.
“I will pay you.”
“How much?”
“Ten mil-réis.”
Joaquim laughed.
“You came all this way to offer ten?”
“Twenty.”
“No.”
“Fifty.”
Joaquim shook his head.
Silveira’s eyes narrowed.
“One hundred.”
Still nothing.
“Two hundred.”
Joaquim stepped forward.
“You could offer me the entire plantation.”
Silveira stared at him.
“I wouldn’t sell her.”
Silveira’s voice became cold.
“You paid seven cents.”
Joaquim answered:
“And that’s exactly why you don’t understand.”
