Луна и грош

Chapter LVII

           Atatoldmethathenevercomplainedofhisfate,heneverlostcourage.Totheendhismindremainedsereneandundisturbed.Buthemadeherpromisethatwhenshehadburiedhim—didItellyouthatIdughisgravewithmyownhands,fornoneofthenativeswouldapproachtheinfectedhouse,andweburiedhim,sheandI,sewnupinthreepareosjoinedtogether,underthemango-tree—hemadeherpromisethatshewouldsetfiretothehouseandnotleaveittillitwasburnedtothegroundandnotastickremained."

           Ididnotspeakforawhile,forIwasthinking.ThenIsaid:

           "Heremainedthesametotheend,then."

           "Doyouunderstand?ImusttellyouthatIthoughtitmydutytodissuadeher."

           "Evenafterwhatyouhavejustsaid?"

           "Yes;forIknewthatherewasaworkofgenius,andIdidnotthinkwehadtherighttodeprivetheworldofit.ButAtawouldnotlistentome.Shehadpromised.Iwouldnotstaytowitnessthebarbarousdeed,anditwasonlyafterwardsthatIheardwhatshehaddone.Shepouredparaffinonthedryfloorsandonthepandanus-mats,andthenshesetfire.Inalittlewhilenothingremainedbutsmoulderingembers,andagreatmasterpieceexistednolonger.

           "IthinkStricklandknewitwasamasterpiece.Hehadachievedwhathewanted.Hislifewascomplete.Hehadmadeaworldandsawthatitwasgood.Then,inprideandcontempt,hedestroyedit."

           "ButImustshowyoumypicture,"saidDr.Coutras,movingon.

           "WhathappenedtoAtaandthechild?"

           

           "TheywenttotheMarquesas.Shehadrelationsthere.IhaveheardthattheboyworksononeofCameron’sschooners.

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