Ностромо

           Theaugmentationoftheestablishment,withitscrowdsofclerks,anofficeintown,theoldofficeintheharbour,thedivisionintodepartments—passenger,cargo,lighterage,andsoon—securedagreaterleisureforhislastyearsintheregeneratedSulaco,thecapitaloftheOccidentalRepublic.Likedbythenativesforhisgoodnatureandtheformalityofhismanner,self-importantandsimple,knownforyearsasa“friendofourcountry,”hefelthimselfapersonalityofmarkinthetown.Gettingupearlyforaturninthemarket-placewhilethegiganticshadowofHiguerotawasstilllyinguponthefruitandflowerstallspiledupwithmassesofgorgeouscolouring,attendingeasilytocurrentaffairs,welcomedinhouses,greetedbyladiesontheAlameda,withhisentryintoalltheclubsandafootingintheCasaGould,heledhisprivilegedoldbachelor,man-about-townexistencewithgreatcomfortandsolemnity.Butonmail-boatdayshewasdownattheHarbourOfficeatanearlyhour,withhisowngig,mannedbyasmartcrewinwhiteandblue,readytodashoffandboardtheshipdirectlysheshowedherbowsbetweentheharbourheads.

           ItwouldbeintotheHarbourOfficethathewouldleadsomeprivilegedpassengerhehadbroughtoffinhisownboat,andinvitehimtotakeaseatforamomentwhilehesignedafewpapers.AndCaptainMitchell,seatinghimselfathisdesk,wouldkeepontalkinghospitably—

           “Thereisn’tmuchtimeifyouaretoseeeverythinginaday.Weshallbeoffinamoment.