Ностромо
Chapter 5
IhappentohavesaidwhatIthought.Andyouareangry!IfyoudomethekindnesstothinkalittleyouwillseethatIspokelikeapatriot.”
Sheopenedherredlipsforthefirsttime,notunkindly.
“Yes,butyouneverseetheaim.Menmustbeusedastheyare.Isupposenobodyisreallydisinterested,unless,perhaps,you,DonMartin.”
“Godforbid!It’sthelastthingIshouldlikeyoutobelieveofme.”Hespokelightly,andpaused.
Shebegantofanherselfwithaslowmovementwithoutraisingherhand.Afteratimehewhisperedpassionately—
“Antonia!”
Shesmiled,andextendedherhandaftertheEnglishmannertowardsCharlesGould,whowasbowingbeforeher;whileDecoud,withhiselbowsspreadonthebackofthesofa,droppedhiseyesandmurmured,“Bonjour.”
TheSenorAdministradoroftheSanTomeminebentoverhiswifeforamoment.Theyexchangedafewwords,ofwhichonlythephrase,“Thegreatestenthusiasm,”pronouncedbyMrs.Gould,couldbeheard.
“Yes,”Decoudbeganinamurmur.“Evenhe!”
“Thisissheercalumny,”saidAntonia,notveryseverely.
“Youjustaskhimtothrowhismineintothemelting-potforthegreatcause,”Decoudwhispered.
DonJosehadraisedhisvoice.Herubbedhishandscheerily.
