Ностромо
Chapter 9
Itwasbasedsolidlyonhispersonalappearance,whichwasstrange,andonhisroughironicmanner—proofsvisible,sensible,andincontrovertibleofthedoctor’smalevolentdisposition.AndNostromowasofthepeople.Soheonlygruntedincredulously.
“You,tospeakplainly,aretheonlyman,”thedoctorpursued.“Itisinyourpowertosavethistownand...everybodyfromthedestructiverapacityofmenwho—”
“No,senor,”saidNostromo,sullenly.“ItisnotinmypowertogetthetreasurebackforyoutogiveuptoSotillo,orPedrito,orGamacho.WhatdoIknow?”
“Nobodyexpectstheimpossible,”wastheanswer.
“Youhavesaidityourself—nobody,”mutteredNostromo,inagloomy,threateningtone.
ButDr.Monygham,fullofhope,disregardedtheenigmaticwordsandthethreateningtone.Totheireyes,accustomedtoobscurity,thelateSenorHirsch,growingmoredistinct,seemedtohavecomenearer.Andthedoctorloweredhisvoiceinexposinghisschemeasthoughafraidofbeingoverheard.
Hewastakingtheindispensablemanintohisfullestconfidence.ItsimpliedflatteryandsuggestionofgreatriskscamewithafamiliarsoundtotheCapataz.Hismind,floatinginirresolutionanddiscontent,recognizeditwithbitterness.HeunderstoodwellthatthedoctorwasanxioustosavetheSanTomeminefromannihilation.Hewouldbenothingwithoutit.Itwashisinterest.
