Ностромо

           Then,significantly,andwithatouchofimpatience,“Allez,”sheadded,“etditesbienavotrebonhomme—entendez-vous?—qu’ilfautavalerlapilule.”

           Aftersuchawarningtherewasnothingforitbuttosignandpay.Mr.Gouldhadswallowedthepill,anditwasasthoughithadbeencompoundedofsomesubtlepoisonthatacteddirectlyonhisbrain.Hebecameatoncemine-ridden,andashewaswellreadinlightliteratureittooktohismindtheformoftheOldManoftheSeafasteneduponhisshoulders.Healsobegantodreamofvampires.Mr.Gouldexaggeratedtohimselfthedisadvantagesofhisnewposition,becausehevieweditemotionally.HispositioninCostaguanawasnoworsethanbefore.Butmanisadesperatelyconservativecreature,andtheextravagantnoveltyofthisoutrageuponhispursedistressedhissensibilities.EverybodyaroundhimwasbeingrobbedbythegrotesqueandmurderousbandsthatplayedtheirgameofgovernmentsandrevolutionsafterthedeathofGuzmanBento.Hisexperiencehadtaughthimthat,howevershorttheplundermightfalloftheirlegitimateexpectations,noganginpossessionofthePresidentialPalacewouldbesoincompetentastosufferitselftobebaffledbythewantofapretext.Thefirstcasualcolonelofthebarefootedarmyofscarecrowsthatcamealongwasabletoexposewithforceandprecisiontoanymerecivilianhistitlestoasumof10,000dollars;thewhilehishopewouldbeimmutablyfixeduponagratuity,atanyrate,ofnolessthanathousand.Mr.