Ностромо
Chapter 7
Nomatter!Thethingswilllookwellenoughonthenextlovershegets,andthemanneednotbeafraidIshalllingeronearthafterIamdead,likethoseGringosthathaunttheAzuera.”
Dr.Monyghamtwistedhislipsintoabittersmile.AfteroldGiorgio,withanalmostimperceptiblenodandwithoutaword,hadgoneupthenarrowstairs,hesaid—
“Why,Capataz!Ithoughtyoucouldneverfailinanything.”
Nostromo,glancingcontemptuouslyatthedoctor,lingeredinthedoorwayrollingacigarette,thenstruckamatch,and,afterlightingit,heldtheburningpieceofwoodabovehisheadtilltheflamenearlytouchedhisfingers.
“Nowind!”hemutteredtohimself.“Lookhere,senor—doyouknowthenatureofmyundertaking?”
Dr.Monyghamnoddedsourly.
“ItisasifIweretakingupacurseuponme,senordoctor.Amanwithatreasureonthiscoastwillhaveeverykniferaisedagainsthimineveryplaceupontheshore.Youseethat,senordoctor?IshallfloatalongwithaspelluponmylifetillImeetsomewherethenorth-boundsteameroftheCompany,andthenindeedtheywilltalkabouttheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoresfromoneendofAmericatoanother.”
Dr.Monyghamlaughedhisshort,throatylaugh.Nostromoturnedroundinthedoorway.
“ButifyourworshipcanfindanyothermanreadyandfitforsuchbusinessIwillstandback.
