Ностромо

           Barrioshasstarted,lethimgoonthen;hewillholdCayta,whichisthedoorofthesearoutetoSulaco.Theycannotsendasufficientforceoverthemountains.No;noteventocopewiththebandofHernandez.Meantimeweshallorganizeourresistancehere.Andforthat,thisveryHernandezwillbeuseful.Hehasdefeatedtroopsasabandit;hewillnodoubtaccomplishthesamethingifheismadeacolonelorevenageneral.YouknowthecountrywellenoughnottobeshockedbywhatIsay,Mrs.Gould.Ihaveheardyouassertthatthispoorbanditwastheliving,breathingexampleofcruelty,injustice,stupidity,andoppression,thatruinmen’ssoulsaswellastheirfortunesinthiscountry.Well,therewouldbesomepoeticalretributioninthatmanarisingtocrushtheevilswhichhaddrivenanhonestrancherointoalifeofcrime.Afineideaofretributioninthat,isn’tthere?”

           DecoudhaddroppedeasilyintoEnglish,whichhespokewithprecision,verycorrectly,butwithtoomanyzsounds.

           “Thinkalsoofyourhospitals,ofyourschools,ofyourailingmothersandfeebleoldmen,ofallthatpopulationwhichyouandyourhusbandhavebroughtintotherockygorgeofSanTome.Areyounotresponsibletoyourconscienceforallthesepeople?Isitnotworthwhiletomakeanothereffort,whichisnotatallsodesperateasitlooks,ratherthan—”

           Decoudfinishedhisthoughtwithanupwardtossofthearm,suggestingannihilation;andMrs.Gouldturnedawayherheadwithalookofhorror.