Луна и грош

Chapter XLVIII

           Tothemhewasnomorethanabeach-comberinconstantneedofmoney,remarkableonlyforthepeculiaritythathepaintedpictureswhichseemedtothemabsurd;anditwasnottillhehadbeendeadforsomeyearsandagentscamefromthedealersinParisandBerlintolookforanypictureswhichmightstillremainontheisland,thattheyhadanyideathatamongthemhaddweltamanofconsequence.Theyrememberedthenthattheycouldhaveboughtforasongcanvaseswhichnowwereworthlargesums,andtheycouldnotforgivethemselvesfortheopportunitywhichhadescapedthem.TherewasaJewishtradercalledCohen,whohadcomebyoneofStrickland’spicturesinasingularway.HewasalittleoldFrenchman,withsoftkindeyesandapleasantsmile,halftraderandhalfseaman,whoownedacutterinwhichhewanderedboldlyamongthePaumotusandtheMarquesas,takingouttradegoodsandbringingbackcopra,shell,andpearls.IwenttoseehimbecauseIwastoldhehadalargeblackpearlwhichhewaswillingtosellcheaply,andwhenIdiscoveredthatitwasbeyondmymeansIbegantotalktohimaboutStrickland.Hehadknownhimwell.

           "Yousee,Iwasinterestedinhimbecausehewasapainter,"hetoldme."Wedon’tgetmanypaintersintheislands,andIwassorryforhimbecausehewassuchabadone.Igavehimhisfirstjob.Ihadaplantationonthepeninsula,andIwantedawhiteoverseer.Younevergetanyworkoutofthenativesunlessyouhaveawhitemanoverthem.Isaidtohim:’You’llhaveplentyoftimeforpainting,andyoucanearnabitofmoney.

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