Ностромо
Chapter 8
Andhowlongdoyouthinkyouaregoingtokeepitup?”
“AslongasIcan.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”
“Icantellyouexactly.AslongasIlive,”thedoctorretortedinastubbornvoice.Then,inafewwords,hedescribedthestoryofhisarrestandthecircumstancesofhisrelease.“Iwasgoingbacktothatsillyscoundrelwhenwemet,”heconcluded.
Nostromohadlistenedwithprofoundattention.“Youhavemadeupyourmind,then,toaspeedydeath,”hemutteredthroughhisclenchedteeth.
“Perhaps,myillustriousCapataz,”thedoctorsaid,testily.“Youarenottheonlyoneherewhocanlookanuglydeathintheface.”
“Nodoubt,”mumbledNostromo,loudenoughtobeoverheard.“Theremaybeevenmorethantwofoolsinthisplace.Whoknows?”
“Andthatismyaffair,”saidthedoctor,curtly.
“Astakingouttheaccursedsilvertoseawasmyaffair,”retortedNostromo.“Isee.Bueno!Eachofushashisreasons.ButyouwerethelastmanIconversedwithbeforeIstarted,andyoutalkedtomeasifIwereafool.”
Nostromohadagreatdistasteforthedoctor’ssardonictreatmentofhisgreatreputation.Decoud’sfaintlyironicrecognitionusedtomakehimuneasy;butthefamiliarityofamanlikeDonMartinwasflattering,whereasthedoctorwasanobody.
