Ностромо
Chapter 9
WhiletheCapatazbegantodevourthisbeggar’sfare,takingupwithstony-eyedvoracitypieceafterpiecelyingbyhisside,theGaribaldinowentoff,andsquattingdowninanothercornerfilledanearthenwaremugwithredwineoutofawicker-covereddemijohn.Withafamiliargesture,aswhenservingcustomersinthecafe,hehadthrusthispipebetweenhisteethtohavehishandsfree.
TheCapatazdrankgreedily.Aslightflushdeepenedthebronzeofhischeek.Beforehim,Viola,withaturnofhiswhiteandmassiveheadtowardsthestaircase,tookhisemptypipeoutofhismouth,andpronouncedslowly—
“Aftertheshotwasfireddownhere,whichkilledherassurelyasifthebullethadstruckheroppressedheart,shecalleduponyoutosavethechildren.Uponyou,Gian’Battista.”
TheCapatazlookedup.
“Didshedothat,Padrone?Tosavethechildren!TheyarewiththeEnglishsenora,theirrichbenefactress.Hey!oldmanofthepeople.Thybenefactress....”
“Iamold,”mutteredGiorgioViola.“AnEnglishwomanwasallowedtogiveabedtoGaribaldilyingwoundedinprison.Thegreatestmanthateverlived.Amanofthepeople,too—asailor.Imayletanotherkeeparoofovermyhead.Si...Iamold.Imaylether.Lifelaststoolongsometimes.”
“Andsheherselfmaynothavearoofoverherheadbeforemanydaysareout,unlessI...
