Луна и грош

Chapter XLIX

           HerlaughterwasthemostcatchingIeverheard;itwouldbegin,alowpealinherthroat,andwouldgrowlouderandloudertillherwholevastbodyshook.Shelovedthreethings—ajoke,aglassofwine,andahandsomeman.Tohaveknownherisaprivilege.

           Shewasthebestcookontheisland,andsheadoredgoodfood.Frommorningtillnightyousawhersittingonalowchairinthekitchen,surroundedbyaChinesecookandtwoorthreenativegirls,givingherorders,chattingsociablywithallandsundry,andtastingthesavourymessesshedevised.Whenshewishedtodohonourtoafriendshecookedthedinnerwithherownhands.Hospitalitywasapassionwithher,andtherewasnooneontheislandwhoneedgowithoutadinnerwhentherewasanythingtoeatattheHoteldelaFleur.Sheneverturnedhercustomersoutofherhousebecausetheydidnotpaytheirbills.Shealwayshopedtheywouldpaywhentheycould.Therewasonemantherewhohadfallenonadversity,andtohimshehadgivenboardandlodgingforseveralmonths.WhentheChineselaundrymanrefusedtowashforhimwithoutpaymentshehadsenthisthingstobewashedwithhers.Shecouldnotallowthepoorfellowtogoaboutinadirtyshirt,shesaid,andsincehewasaman,andmenmustsmoke,shegavehimafrancadayforcigarettes.Sheusedhimwiththesameaffabilityasthoseofherclientswhopaidtheirbillsonceaweek.

           Ageandobesityhadmadeherinaptforlove,butshetookakeeninterestintheamatoryaffairsoftheyoung.

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