Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
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NextherequestedcourteouslyofusafewminutesinwhichtoarrangehisaffairswithGod.NeitherCaptainNichollnorIcouldutteraword,butwithstreamingeyeswenoddedourconsent.
WithoutdoubtArnoldBenthamwasthebestcollectedofthethreeofus.Myownanguishwasprodigious,andIamconfidentthatCaptainNichollsufferedequally.Butwhatwasonetodo?ThethingwasfairandproperandhadbeendecidedbyGod.
ButwhenArnoldBenthamhadcompletedhislastarrangementsandmadereadytodotheact,Icouldcontainmyselfnolonger,andcriedout:
“Wait!Wewhohaveenduredsomuchsurelycanendurealittlemore.Itisnowmid-morning.Letuswaituntiltwilight.Then,ifnoeventhasappearedtochangeourdreadfuldestiny,doyouArnoldBentham,doaswehaveagreed.”
HelookedtoCaptainNichollforconfirmationofmysuggestion,andCaptainNichollcouldonlynod.Hecouldutternoword,butinhismoistandfrostyblueeyeswasawealthofacknowledgmentIcouldnotmisread.
Ididnot,Icouldnot,deemitacrime,havingsodeterminedbyfairdrawingoflots,thatCaptainNichollandmyselfshouldprofitbythedeathofArnoldBentham.IcouldnotbelievethattheloveoflifethatactuatedushadbeenimplantedinourbreastsbyaughtotherthanGod.
