Ностромо
Chapter 8
Shehadwatchedtheerectionofthefirstframe-houseputuponthelowermesaforanofficeandDonPepe’squarters;sheheardwithathrillofthankfulemotionthefirstwagonloadoforerattledownthethenonlyshoot;shehadstoodbyherhusband’ssideperfectlysilent,andgonecoldalloverwithexcitementattheinstantwhenthefirstbatteryofonlyfifteenstampswasputinmotionforthefirsttime.Ontheoccasionwhenthefiresunderthefirstsetofretortsintheirshedhadglowedfarintothenightshedidnotretiretorestontheroughcadresetupforherintheasyetbareframe-housetillshehadseenthefirstspongylumpofsilveryieldedtothehazardsoftheworldbythedarkdepthsoftheGouldConcession;shehadlaidherunmercenaryhands,withaneagernessthatmadethemtremble,uponthefirstsilveringotturnedoutstillwarmfromthemould;andbyherimaginativeestimateofitspowersheendowedthatlumpofmetalwithajustificativeconception,asthoughitwerenotamerefact,butsomethingfar-reachingandimpalpable,likethetrueexpressionofanemotionortheemergenceofaprinciple.
DonPepe,extremelyinterested,too,lookedoverhershoulderwithasmilethat,makinglongitudinalfoldsonhisface,causedittoresemblealeathernmaskwithabenignantlydiabolicexpression.
“WouldnotthemuchachosofHernandezliketogetholdofthisinsignificantobject,thatlooks,porDios,verymuchlikeapieceoftin?”heremarked,jocularly.
