Ностромо

           Heenvelopedinaswiftmentalmaledictionthewholecountry,withallitsinhabitants,partisansofRibieraandMonteroalike;andtherewereincipienttearsinhismuteangeratthethoughtoftheinnumerableox-hidesgoingtowasteuponthedreamyexpanseoftheCampo,withitssinglepalmsrisinglikeshipsatseawithintheperfectcircleofthehorizon,itsclumpsofheavytimbermotionlesslikesolidislandsofleavesabovetherunningwavesofgrass.Therewerehidesthere,rotting,withnoprofittoanybody—rottingwheretheyhadbeendroppedbymencalledawaytoattendtheurgentnecessitiesofpoliticalrevolutions.Thepractical,mercantilesoulofSenorHirschrebelledagainstallthatfoolishness,whilehewastakingarespectfulbutdisconcertedleaveofthemightandmajestyoftheSanTomemineinthepersonofCharlesGould.Hecouldnotrestrainaheart-brokenmurmur,wrungoutofhisveryachingheart,asitwere.

           “Itisagreat,greatfoolishness,DonCarlos,allthis.ThepriceofhidesinHamburgisgoneup—up.OfcoursetheRibieristGovernmentwilldoawaywithallthat—whenitgetsestablishedfirmly.Meantime—”

           Hesighed.

           “Yes,meantime,”repeatedCharlesGould,inscrutably.

           Theothershruggedhisshoulders.Buthewasnotreadytogoyet.Therewasalittlematterhewouldliketomentionverymuchifpermitted.