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Chapter 7
IamresolvedtomakethisthemostdesperateaffairIwaseverengagedoninmywholelife.”
Shefeltadespairingindignation.Thesupremetesthadfailed.Standingaboveher,Nostromodidnotseethedistortedfeaturesofherface,distortedbyaparoxysmofpainandanger.Onlyshebegantotrembleallover.Herbowedheadshook.Thebroadshouldersquivered.
“ThenGod,perhaps,willhavemercyuponme!Butdoyoulooktoit,man,thatyougetsomethingforyourselfoutofit,besidestheremorsethatshallovertakeyousomeday.”
Shelaughedfeebly.“Getrichesatleastforonce,youindispensable,admiredGian’Battista,towhomthepeaceofadyingwomanislessthanthepraiseofpeoplewhohavegivenyouasillyname—andnothingbesides—inexchangeforyoursoulandbody.”
TheCapatazdeCargadoressworetohimselfunderhisbreath.
“Leavemysoulalone,Padrona,andIshallknowhowtotakecareofmybody.Whereistheharmofpeoplehavingneedofme?WhatareyouenvyingmethatIhaverobbedyouandthechildrenof?ThoseverypeopleyouarethrowinginmyteethhavedonemoreforoldGiorgiothantheyeverthoughtofdoingforme.”
Hestruckhisbreastwithhisopenpalm;hisvoicehadremainedlowthoughhehadspokeninaforcibletone.Hetwistedhismoustachesoneafteranother,andhiseyeswanderedalittleabouttheroom.
