Ностромо
Chapter 7
Ha!thedivine—ha!—Mozart.Si!divine...Whatisityouweresaying?”
Ofcourse,rumourshadreachedhimalreadyofthenewcomer’sintentions.Besides,hehadreceivedanofficialwarningfromSta.Marta.Hismannerwasintendedsimplytoconcealhiscuriosityandimpresshisvisitor.Butafterhehadlockedupsomethingvaluableinthedrawerofalargewriting-deskinadistantpartoftheroom,hebecameveryaffable,andwalkedbacktohischairsmartly.
“Ifyouintendtobuildvillagesandassembleapopulationnearthemine,youshallrequireadecreeoftheMinisteroftheInteriorforthat,”hesuggestedinabusiness-likemanner.
“Ihavealreadysentamemorial,”saidCharlesGould,steadily,“andIreckonnowconfidentlyuponyourExcellency’sfavourableconclusions.”
TheExcellencywasamanofmanymoods.Withthereceiptofthemoneyagreatmellownesshaddescendeduponhissimplesoul.Unexpectedlyhefetchedadeepsigh.
“Ah,DonCarlos!Whatwewantisadvancedmenlikeyouintheprovince.
