Ностромо
Chapter 6
Itwasreassuringlyempty.Meantime,Charles,steppingwithonefootintoadryanddustyditch,pickeduptheopenparasol,whichhadboundedawayfromthemwithamartialsoundofdrumtaps.Hehandedittohersoberly,alittlecrestfallen.
Theyturnedback,andaftershehadslippedherhandonhisarm,thefirstwordshepronouncedwere—
“It’sluckythatweshallbeabletosettleinacoasttown.You’vehearditsname.ItisSulaco.Iamsogladpoorfatherdidgetthathouse.Heboughtabighousethereyearsago,inorderthatthereshouldalwaysbeaCasaGouldintheprincipaltownofwhatusedtobecalledtheOccidentalProvince.Ilivedthereonce,asasmallboy,withmydearmother,forawholeyear,whilepoorfatherwasawayintheUnitedStatesonbusiness.YoushallbethenewmistressoftheCasaGould.”
Andlater,intheinhabitedcornerofthePalazzoabovethevineyards,themarblehills,thepinesandolivesofLucca,healsosaid—
“ThenameofGouldhasbeenalwayshighlyrespectedinSulaco.MyuncleHarrywaschiefoftheStateforsometime,andhasleftagreatnameamongstthefirstfamilies.BythisImeanthepureCreolefamilies,whotakenopartinthemiserablefarceofgovernments.UncleHarrywasnoadventurer.InCostaguanaweGouldsarenoadventurers.Hewasofthecountry,andhelovedit,butheremainedessentiallyanEnglishmaninhisideas.Hemadeuseofthepoliticalcryofhistime.ItwasFederation.Buthewasnopolitician.
