Ностромо

           AndCaptainMitchellwouldproceed—

           “TheprotectoroftheSulacorefugeesfromtherageofPedrito.AsgeneralofcavalrywithBarrioshedistinguishedhimselfatthestormingofTonoro,whereSenorFuenteswaskilledwiththelastremnantoftheMonterists.HeisthefriendandhumbleservantofBishopCorbelan.HearsthreeMasseseveryday.Ibetyouhewillstepintothecathedraltosayaprayerortwoonhiswayhometohissiesta.”

           Hetookseveralpuffsathiscigarinsilence;then,inhismostimportantmanner,pronounced:

           “TheSpanishrace,sir,isprolificofremarkablecharactersineveryrankoflife....Iproposewegonowintothebilliard-room,whichiscool,foraquietchat.There’sneveranybodytheretillafterfive.IcouldtellyouepisodesoftheSeparationistrevolutionthatwouldastonishyou.Whenthegreatheat’sover,we’lltakeaturnontheAlameda.”

           Theprogrammewentonrelentless,likealawofNature.TheturnontheAlamedawastakenwithslowstepsandstatelyremarks.

           “AllthegreatworldofSulacohere,sir.”CaptainMitchellbowedrightandleftwithnoendofformality;thenwithanimation,“DonaEmilia,Mrs.Gould’scarriage.Look.Alwayswhitemules.Thekindest,mostgraciouswomanthesunevershoneupon.Agreatposition,sir.Agreatposition.FirstladyinSulaco—farbeforethePresident’swife.Andworthyofit.