Ностромо
Chapter 5
ThatMoragaisafool!AmanlikeMonteroisbribed.It’sthepracticeofthecountry.It’stradition—it’spolitics.Read‘FiftyYearsofMisrule.’”
“Leavepoorpapaalone,DonMartin.Hebelieves—”
“Ihavethegreatesttendernessforyourfather,”hebegan,hurriedly.“ButIloveyou,Antonia!AndMoragahasmiserablymismanagedthisbusiness.Perhapsyourfatherdid,too;Idon’tknow.Monterowasbribeable.Why,Isupposeheonlywantedhisshareofthisfamousloanfornationaldevelopment.Whydidn’tthestupidSta.MartapeoplegivehimamissiontoEurope,orsomething?Hewouldhavetakenfiveyears’salaryinadvance,andgoneonloafinginParis,thisstupid,ferociousIndio!”
“Theman,”shesaid,thoughtfully,andverycalmbeforethisoutburst,“wasintoxicatedwithvanity.Wehadalltheinformation,notfromMoragaonly;fromothers,too.Therewashisbrotherintriguing,too.”
“Oh,yes!”hesaid.“Ofcourseyouknow.Youknoweverything.Youreadallthecorrespondence,youwriteallthepapers—allthoseStatepapersthatareinspiredhere,inthisroom,inblinddeferencetoatheoryofpoliticalpurity.Hadn’tyouCharlesGouldbeforeyoureyes?ReydeSulaco!Heandhisminearethepracticaldemonstrationofwhatcouldhavebeendone.
