Ностромо
Chapter 8
Charles,cominguptotakeleaveofSirJohn,heardhimsay,ashebentoverhiswife’shand,“Certainly.Ofcourse,mydearMrs.Gould,foraprotegeofyours!Nottheslightestdifficulty.Consideritdone.”
GoingashoreinthesameboatwiththeGoulds,DonJoseAvellanoswasverysilent.EvenintheGouldcarriagehedidnotopenhislipsforalongtime.Themulestrottedslowlyawayfromthewharfbetweentheextendedhandsofthebeggars,whoforthatdayseemedtohaveabandonedinabodytheportalsofchurches.CharlesGouldsatonthebackseatandlookedawayupontheplain.Amultitudeofboothsmadeofgreenboughs,ofrushes,ofoddpiecesofplankekedoutwithbitsofcanvashadbeenerectedalloveritforthesaleofcana,ofdulces,offruit,ofcigars.OverlittleheapsofglowingcharcoalIndianwomen,squattingonmats,cookedfoodinblackearthenpots,andboiledthewaterforthemategourds,whichtheyofferedinsoft,caressingvoicestothecountrypeople.Aracecoursehadbeenstakedoutforthevaqueros;andawaytotheleft,fromwherethecrowdwasmassedthicklyaboutahugetemporaryerection,likeacircustentofwoodwithaconicalgrassroof,cametheresonanttwangingofharpstrings,thesharppingofguitars,withthegravedrummingthrobofanIndiangombopulsatingsteadilythroughtheshrillchorusesofthedancers.
CharlesGouldsaidpresently—
“AllthispieceoflandbelongsnowtotheRailwayCompany.
