Ностромо
Chapter 7
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“Yes,everybodyknowsofyourgoodluckwithwomen,Capataz,”Decoudpropitiatedhiscompanioninawearydrawl.
“Lookhere,senor,”Nostromowenton.“Ineverevenremonstratedaboutthisaffair.DirectlyIheardwhatwaswantedIsawwhatadesperateaffairitmustbe,andImadeupmymindtoseeitout.Everyminutewasofimportance.Ihadtowaitforyoufirst.Then,whenwearrivedattheItaliaUna,oldGiorgioshoutedtometogofortheEnglishdoctor.Lateron,thatpoordyingwomanwantedtoseeme,asyouknow.Senor,Iwasreluctanttogo.Ifeltalreadythiscursedsilvergrowingheavyuponmyback,andIwasafraidthat,knowingherselftobedying,shewouldaskmetorideoffagainforapriest.FatherCorbelan,whoisfearless,wouldhavecomeataword;butFatherCorbelanisfaraway,safewiththebandofHernandez,andthepopulace,thatwouldhavelikedtotearhimtopieces,aremuchincensedagainstthepriests.Notasinglefatpadrewouldhaveconsentedtoputhisheadoutofhishiding-placeto-nighttosaveaChristiansoul,except,perhaps,undermyprotection.Thatwasinhermind.IpretendedIdidnotbelieveshewasgoingtodie.Senor,Irefusedtofetchapriestforadyingwoman...”
Decoudwasheardtostir.
“Youdid,Capataz!”heexclaimed.Histonechanged.“Well,youknow—itwasratherfine.”
“Youdonotbelieveinpriests,DonMartin?NeitherdoI.
