Ностромо
Chapter 4
Thesun,whichlookslateuponSulaco,issuinginallthefulnessofitspowerhighupontheskyfrombehindthedazzlingsnow-edgeofHiguerota,hadprecipitatedthedelicate,smooth,pearlygreynessoflight,inwhichthetownliessteepedduringtheearlyhours,intosharp-cutmassesofblackshadeandspacesofhot,blindingglare.Threelongrectanglesofsunshinefellthroughthewindowsofthesala;whilejustacrossthestreetthefrontoftheAvellanos’shouseappearedverysombreinitsownshadowseenthroughthefloodoflight.
Avoicesaidatthedoor,“WhatofDecoud?”
ItwasCharlesGould.Theyhadnotheardhimcomingalongthecorredor.Hisglancejustglidedoverhiswifeandstruckfullatthedoctor.
“Youhavebroughtsomenews,doctor?”
Dr.Monyghamblurteditalloutatonce,intherough.Forsometimeafterhehaddone,theAdministradoroftheSanTomemineremainedlookingathimwithoutaword.Mrs.Gouldsankintoalowchairwithherhandslyingonherlap.Asilencereignedbetweenthosethreemotionlesspersons.ThenCharlesGouldspoke—
“Youmustwantsomebreakfast.”
Hestoodasidetolethiswifepassfirst.Shecaughtupherhusband’shandandpresseditasshewentout,raisingherhandkerchieftohereyes.ThesightofherhusbandhadbroughtAntonia’spositiontohermind,andshecouldnotcontainhertearsatthethoughtofthepoorgirl.
