As Robert Jordan approaches the cave with Anselmo, he checks the packs of dynamite. Verifying that all is well, he takes them with him into the cave. He sees that Pablo and the gypsy have been joined by three other men. Pilar (Pablo’s wife) is standing over the fire, and Maria is beside her. Pablo objects to having the dynamite in the cave.

Robert Jordan informs Pablo that Agustin is dying of boredom as he waits above. Pablo is unconcerned. When Robert Jordan asks for wine, Pablo tells him that there is little left. Robert Jordan then asks for water, which Maria brings to him. He brings out a hip flask, which contains absinthe. He explains to Maria that it is too strong for her. He carefully prepares the mixture, dropping the absinthe slowly into the water, which changes to a milky yellow. Robert Jordan explains that it is the last of the bottle he bought in Madrid. He gives Rafael the gypsy a sip. Rafael grimaces at the bitterness, which Robert Jordan explains comes from wormwood. It was supposed to rot the brain, he says, but he does not believe it. It only changes the ideas.

Robert Jordan looks at the other three men. They are belligerent, but he offers them a cigarette. They remark that it is the same brand that Kashkin had. All of those present, with the exception of Anselmo, were present when Kashkin was captured blowing up the train. Pablo states that they should blow up another train. Robert Jordan says they can do that after they blow up the bridge. Pablo sullenly states that he does not support the blowing up of the bridge, nor do any of the other men. Robert Jordan calmly ignores him and tells Anselmo that the two of them must blow it up themselves. Anselmo refers to Pablo as a coward.

Robert Jordan looks at Pilar and Maria. He realizes that it might come to a showdown between him and Pablo. He repeats that he will blow up the bridge without Pablo’s help. Pablo says that there will be no blowing up of the bridge at all. Robert Jordan turns to Pilar and asks her what she thinks. Pilar says that she is in favor of blowing up the bridge. She loves the Republic and the Republic needs the bridge blown up. Pablo confronts her, but she tells him that she is for the bridge and against him. The other men also say that they are for Pilar, which means that they are for the bridge. Pablo threatens Pilar, but she is unconcerned. Pablo is all for safety, but there is no safety. She compares Pablo to a brave bullfighter who becomes a coward after he is gored. She tells him that she is in command, not he. After Robert Jordan explains the plan to the men, Pablo again threatens Pilar. Though she feels rage, quickly the rage turns to sorrow and despair. She knows where this is going, as she has gone through it many times in her life. She calmly serves the men their dinner.