Луна и грош

Chapter LIII

           ThenIsawAta.Shewassucklinganew-bornchild,andanotherchild,starknaked,wasplayingatherfeet.WhenshesawmeshecalledouttoStrickland,andhecametothedoor.He,too,worenothingbutapareo.Hewasanextraordinaryfigure,withhisredbeardandmattedhair,andhisgreathairychest.Hisfeetwerehornyandscarred,sothatIknewhewentalwaysbarefoot.Hehadgonenativewithavengeance.Heseemedpleasedtoseeme,andtoldAtatokillachickenforourdinner.HetookmeintothehousetoshowmethepicturehewasatworkonwhenIcamein.Inonecorneroftheroomwasthebed,andinthemiddlewasaneaselwiththecanvasuponit.BecauseIwassorryforhim,Ihadboughtacoupleofhispicturesforsmallsums,andIhadsentotherstofriendsofmineinFrance.AndthoughIhadboughtthemoutofcompassion,afterlivingwiththemIbegantolikethem.Indeed,Ifoundastrangebeautyinthem.EveryonethoughtIwasmad,butitturnsoutthatIwasright.Iwashisfirstadmirerintheislands."

           HesmiledmaliciouslyatTiare,andwithlamentationsshetoldusagainthestoryofhowatthesaleofStrickland’seffectsshehadneglectedthepictures,butboughtanAmericanstovefortwenty-sevenfrancs.

           "Haveyouthepicturesstill?"Iasked.

           "Yes;Iamkeepingthemtillmydaughterisofmarriageableage,andthenIshallsellthem.Theywillbeherdot."ThenhewentonwiththeaccountofhisvisittoStrickland.

           "IshallneverforgettheeveningIspentwithhim.Ihadnotintendedtostaymorethananhour,butheinsistedthatIshouldspendthenight.

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