Ностромо

           Hewouldbloweverythingupfromloyaltyandfromhate—fromhateoftheseLiberals,astheycallthemselves.Liberals!Thewordsoneknowssowellhaveanightmarishmeaninginthiscountry.Liberty,democracy,patriotism,government—allofthemhaveaflavouroffollyandmurder.Haven’tthey,doctor?...IalonecanrestrainDonPepe.Iftheywereto—todoawaywithme,nothingcouldpreventhim.”

           “Theywilltrytotamperwithhim,”thedoctorsuggested,thoughtfully.

           “Itisverypossible,”CharlesGouldsaidverylow,asifspeakingtohimself,andstillgazingatthesketchoftheSanTomegorgeuponthewall.“Yes,Iexpecttheywilltrythat.”CharlesGouldlookedforthefirsttimeatthedoctor.“Itwouldgivemetime,”headded.

           “Exactly,”saidDr.Monygham,suppressinghisexcitement.“EspeciallyifDonPepebehavesdiplomatically.Whyshouldn’thegivethemsomehopeofsuccess?Eh?Otherwiseyouwouldn’tgainsomuchtime.Couldn’thebeinstructedto—”

           CharlesGould,lookingatthedoctorsteadily,shookhishead,butthedoctorcontinuedwithacertainamountoffire—

           “Yes,toenterintonegotiationsforthesurrenderofthemine.Itisagoodnotion.Youwouldmatureyourplan.Ofcourse,Idon’taskwhatitis.Idon’twanttoknow.Iwouldrefusetolistentoyouifyoutriedtotellme.Iamnotfitforconfidences.”

           “Whatnonsense!”mutteredCharlesGould,withdispleasure.