Конец рабства

XII

           VanWykwoulddescendthestepsoftheverandaandstrolloverthegrassplotinfrontofhishouse,downtothewaterside,withafrownonhiswhitebrow.

           “You’vebeenlaidupafteranaccident,Ipresume.”

           Headdressedthebridge,butbeforeanybodycouldanswerMassywassuretohavealreadyscrambledashoreovertherailandpushedin,squeezingthepalmsofhishandstogether,bowinghissleekheadasifgummedalloverthetopwithblackthreadsandtapes.Andhewouldbesoenragedatthenecessityofhavingtooffersuchanexplanationthathismoaningwouldbepositivelypitiful,whileallthetimehetriedtocomposehisbiglipsintoasmile.

           “No,Mr.VanWyk.Youwouldnotbelieveit.Icouldn’tgetoneofthosewretchestotaketheshipout.Notasingleoneofthelazybeastscouldbeinduced,andthelaw,youknow,Mr.VanWyk...”

           Hemoanedatgreatlengthapologetically;thewordsconspiracy,plot,envy,cameoutprominently,whinedwithgreaterenergy.Mr.VanWyk,examiningwithafaintgrimacehispolishedfinger-nails,wouldsay,“H’m.Veryunfortunate,”andturnhisbackonhim.

           Fastidious,clever,slightlyskeptical,accustomedtothebestsociety(hehadheldamuch-enviedshoreappointmentattheMinistryofMarineforayearprecedinghisretreatfromhisprofessionandfromEurope),hepossessedalatentwarmthoffeelingandacapacityforsympathywhichwereconcealedbyasortofhaughty,arbitraryindifferenceofmannerarisingfromhisearlytraining;andbyasomethinganenemymighthavecalledfoppish,inhisaspect—likeadistortedechoofpastelegance.

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