Ностромо
Chapter 9
Hirschwasjerkedupoffhisfeet,andayellofdespairandagonyburstoutintheroom,filledthepassageofthegreatbuildings,renttheairoutside,causedeverysoldierofthecampalongtheshoretolookupatthewindows,startedsomeoftheofficersinthehallbabblingexcitedly,withshiningeyes;others,settingtheirlips,lookedgloomilyatthefloor.
Sotillo,followedbythesoldiers,hadlefttheroom.Thesentryonthelandingpresentedarms.Hirschwentonscreamingallalonebehindthehalf-closedjalousieswhilethesunshine,reflectedfromthewateroftheharbour,madeanever-runningrippleoflighthighuponthewall.Hescreamedwithupliftedeyebrowsandawide-openmouth—incrediblywide,black,enormous,fullofteeth—comical.
InthestillburningairofthewindlessafternoonhemadethewavesofhisagonytravelasfarastheO.S.N.Company’soffices.CaptainMitchellonthebalcony,tryingtomakeoutwhatwentongenerally,hadheardhimfaintlybutdistinctly,andthefeebleandappallingsoundlingeredinhisearsafterhehadretreatedindoorswithblanchedcheeks.Hehadbeendrivenoffthebalconyseveraltimesduringthatafternoon.
Sotillo,irritable,moody,walkedrestlesslyabout,heldconsultationswithhisofficers,gavecontradictoryordersinthisshrillclamourpervadingthewholeemptyedifice.Sometimestherewouldbelongandawfulsilences.
