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The Pearl: Chapter 3

News in the town spread faster than is expected. Before Kino and his fellow fishermen reach home, news of his finding of the pearl has spread in all parts of the town. By the time small running boys reach home to tell the story, their mothers have already heard about it. The news has spread beyond the brush houses and has now reached the town. The priest has heard about it and remembered that the church needed some repairs. He is also wondering whether he has baptized Coyotito and married Kino and Juana in church or not. The shopkeepers also hear about it and start looking at men's clothes that have not been bought yet. They know that Kino must buy new clothes now that he is rich. The doctor also hears the news and remembers that Kino is his client because he is ostensibly treating his child for a scorpion sting.   He imagines having good times in Paris in case he getw some money from Kino. The beggars also hear about it and are very expectant.

Pearl buyers also get to hear the news this early. They prepare to have it brought to them as is usual. Many of them are mere agents as there is only one pearl buyer for whom they work. He keeps them in separate rooms to encourage competition--in order to buy the pearls at the lowest price possible. They wish he died so that they can inherit his place.

Everyone is both interested and related to Kino's pearl. Kino even thinks that everyone is happy about his pearl. On the contrary, enmity is brewing between him and many of the people around. In the evening, many people gather in his house to admire the pearl, and he is gladly holding it in his hands. He fantasizes about marrying Juana in church and buying new clothes and shoes for his family. He had given up on these ambitions but now that he is rich, he remembers them and mentions them to his brother, Juan Tomas. He also mentions that he wishes to buy a harpoon and a rifle. Kino also fantasizes that Coyotito is in school, seated on a desk and dressed like a pupil. He then mentions to his brother that his son will go to school once he has sold the pearl. His neighbours are also very optimistic that the tables are going to turn and they are glad that they will testify in the future how fortunes changed for him. In case they do not change, they will also gladly testify how God punished Kino for his folly.

It is almost dark when the priest comes in. He reminds Kino that the person he is named after did great things for the church. He reminds them to remember giving thanks to God for He is the one that has given them the treasure. They agree to and even promise to be married in the church. The music of evil is all over the air, and Kino wonders who could be the source of that music.

The doctor also comes in with the servant Kino had met in the morning. He lies that he had not been in when Kino had brought Coyotito. He shrugs off Kino's insistence that the baby is doing fine. According to him, a scorpion sting could make one believe that all is okay only to strike when no one expects it. Kino has a lot of contempt for the doctor but has no option but let him in because he has more knowledge than Kino and his people. He believes that it is only until when the people of the brush houses will be educated that they will be able to challenge the doctor and his race.

The doctor examines the baby and reports that the poison has gone inside the body and will strike soon. His proof is that the baby's eyes have turned blue. Since Kino is not sure of whether the eyes had always been blue or had turned blue due to the poison, he also has no option but to agree with the doctor. The doctor then prepares a capsule and gives it to the child. He tells Kino and Juana that the poison will strike in an hour and that he will be back by then.

The size of Kino's pearl mesmerizes everyone. It is now the main topic among the people of the brush houses. They wonder whether the pearl will change Kino and make him behave like all rich people or he will remain the same.

Coyotito's situation worsens, worrying his parents. They believe that the doctor was right.  However, Kino still has some doubts about the doctor and his visit.  While still in this state of worry and doubt, Juana sings the song of the family in a moanful manner. A short while later, the doctor arrives just in time, after having a nice meal in his home. He treats the baby with ammonia and soon the spasms he was experiencing stops and he falls asleep. All along, Kino is suspicious of the doctor and stares at him throughout. When he asks for payment, Kino promises to pay him the next day after selling the pearl. He pretends not to have heard about the pearl and asks Kino to let him keep it in his safe so that it is not stolen from him before he sells it. The doctor knows that Kino must have hidden his pearl somewhere in the house and must look in the direction where he has hidden it. So, he carefully looks at him and notices that he looks at the floor near the side post: he concludes that this must be the place.

That night, Kino digs up the pearl from where he had kept it out of fear that it might be stolen. He tells his wife that no one is to be trusted. He later awakens with the music of evil in his head. He then notices some movement and then what appears like somebody digging the ground with his fingers. He takes out his knife and strikes the dark figure in the corner of his house but is also struck so hard on his head that he bleeds. The dark figure runs away into the darkness outside. He now becomes aware of the danger around him and hate grows in him. The incident breeds pessimism in Juana. She advises Kino to throw away the pearl as it is evil, However, Kino is adamant and is determined to keep it until they sell it. According to him, selling it will get rid of the evil in it and leave them with the good.

The chapter ends with the description of a very calm environment around Kino's house: "...the beauty of the pearl, winking and glimmering in the light..." (p. 60). It is so serene that it gives him hope that all is well and he smiles in both determination and optimism.

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