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Chapter 5
Whatcouldbemoreeffective?InlocalaffairsiturgestheProvincialGovernmenttoenlistbodilyintothenationalarmythebandofHernandeztheRobber—whoisapparentlytheprotegeoftheChurch—oratleastoftheGrandVicar.Nothingcouldbemoresound.”
Thepriestnoddedandturnedontheheelsofhissquare-toedshoeswithbigsteelbuckles.Again,withhishandsclaspedbehindhisback,hepacedtoandfro,plantinghisfeetfirmly.Whenheswungabout,theskirtofhissoutanewasinflatedslightlybythebrusquenessofhismovements.
Thegreatsalahadbeenemptyingitselfslowly.WhentheGefePoliticorosetogo,mostofthosestillremainingstoodupsuddenlyinsignofrespect,andDonJoseAvellanosstoppedtherockingofhischair.Butthegood-naturedFirstOfficialmadeadeprecatorygesture,wavedhishandtoCharlesGould,andwentoutdiscreetly.
Inthecomparativepeaceoftheroomthescreaming“Monsieurl’Administrateur”ofthefrail,hairyFrenchmanseemedtoacquireapreternaturalshrillness.TheexploreroftheCapitalistsyndicatewasstillenthusiastic.“Tenmilliondollars’worthofcopperpracticallyinsight,Monsieurl’Administrateur.Tenmillionsinsight!Andarailwaycoming—arailway!Theywillneverbelievemyreport.C’esttropbeau.”Hefellapreytoascreamingecstasy,inthemidstofsagelynoddingheads,beforeCharlesGould’simperturbablecalm.
