Ностромо
Chapter 7
Sheisoneofthoseoldwomenthatyoufindinthiscountryatthebackofhuts,crouchingoverfireplaces,withastickonthegroundbytheirside,andalmosttoofeebletodriveawaythestraydogsfromtheircooking-pots.Caramba!Icouldtellbyhervoicethatdeathhadforgottenher.But,oldoryoung,theylikemoney,andwillspeakwellofthemanwhogivesittothem.’Helaughedalittle.‘Senor,youshouldhavefelttheclutchofherpawasIputthepieceinherpalm.’Hepaused.‘Mylast,too,’headded.
“Imadenocomment.He’sknownforhisliberalityandhisbadluckatthegameofmonte,whichkeepshimaspooraswhenhefirstcamehere.
“‘Isuppose,DonMartin,’hebegan,inathoughtful,speculativetone,‘thattheSenorAdministradorofSanTomewillrewardmesomedayifIsavehissilver?’
“Isaidthatitcouldnotbeotherwise,surely.Hewalkedon,mutteringtohimself.‘Si,si,withoutdoubt,withoutdoubt;and,lookyou,SenorMartin,whatitistobewellspokenof!Thereisnotanothermanthatcouldhavebeeneventhoughtofforsuchathing.Ishallgetsomethinggreatforitsomeday.Andletitcomesoon,’hemumbled.‘Timepassesinthiscountryasquickasanywhereelse.’
“This,soeurcherie,ismycompanioninthegreatescapeforthesakeofthegreatcause.Heismorenaivethanshrewd,moremasterfulthancrafty,moregenerouswithhispersonalitythanthepeoplewhomakeuseofhimarewiththeirmoney.
