Ностромо
Chapter 8
Inthedownfallofalltherealitiesthatmadehisforce,hewasaffectedbythesuperstition,andshudderedslightly.SignoraTeresamusthavedied,then.Itcouldmeannothingelse.Thecryoftheill-omenedbird,thefirstsoundhewastohearonhisreturn,wasafittingwelcomeforhisbetrayedindividuality.Theunseenpowerswhichhehadoffendedbyrefusingtobringapriesttoadyingwomanwereliftinguptheirvoiceagainsthim.Shewasdead.Withadmirableandhumanconsistencyhereferredeverythingtohimself.Shehadbeenawomanofgoodcounselalways.AndthebereavedoldGiorgioremainedstunnedbyhislossjustashewaslikelytorequiretheadviceofhissagacity.Theblowwouldrenderthedreamyoldmanquitestupidforatime.
AstoCaptainMitchell,Nostromo,afterthemanneroftrustedsubordinates,consideredhimasapersonfittedbyeducationperhapstosignpapersinanofficeandtogiveorders,butotherwiseofnousewhatever,andsomethingofafool.Thenecessityofwindingroundhislittlefinger,almostdaily,thepompousandtestyself-importanceoftheoldseamanhadgrownirksomewithusetoNostromo.Atfirstithadgivenhimaninwardsatisfaction.Butthenecessityofovercomingsmallobstaclesbecomeswearisometoaself-confidentpersonalityasmuchbythecertitudeofsuccessasbythemonotonyofeffort.Hemistrustedhissuperior’spronenesstofussyaction.ThatoldEnglishmanhadnojudgment,hesaidtohimself.
