The Fountains of Silence: A Novel

Ben confirms what Daniel suspects about Shep. Daniel wants to get even, to “write to the ambassador” and “the State Department and let them know who they’ve got representing our country” (372). Ben tells him not to waste his time, explaining that “[p]oliticians and businessmen, they get what they want” (372). Instead, Ben advises Daniel to spend the remainder of his time in Spain having fun with Ana. Ben regrets not enjoying his youth and warns Daniel not to make the same mistake.

Daniel meets with Ana and learns she was fired when the staff saw the book he purchased for her at the museum, which Daniel had inscribed to “Tom Collins.” Daniel wants to go and explain everything to the management at the hotel, but Ana refuses. She tries to get Daniel to understand that he does not fully comprehend the danger of all they have done, that he cannot comprehend it because he does not know what it’s like to live in fear. She tells Daniel that for him, “this is a vacation, but for me it’s real life. I’m the daughter of Republicans. Do you understand what that means in this country?” (374).

Daniel is both shocked and hurt by Ana’s words, but Ana tries to explain that she means that Daniel, not trapped in poverty or