Ностромо
Chapter 6
Hehaddonewiththespurs,and,twistinghismoustachewithbothhands,horizontally,hecontemplatedherfromtheheightofhislonglegswithavisibleappreciationofherappearance.TheconsciousnessofbeingthuscontemplatedpleasedMrs.Gould.
“Theyareconsiderablemen,”hesaid.
“Iknow.Buthaveyoulistenedtotheirconversation?Theydon’tseemtohaveunderstoodanythingtheyhaveseenhere.”
“Theyhaveseenthemine.Theyhaveunderstoodthattosomepurpose,”CharlesGouldinterjected,indefenceofthevisitors;andthenhiswifementionedthenameofthemostconsiderableofthethree.Hewasconsiderableinfinanceandinindustry.Hisnamewasfamiliartomanymillionsofpeople.Hewassoconsiderablethathewouldneverhavetravelledsofarawayfromthecentreofhisactivityifthedoctorshadnotinsisted,withveiledmenaces,onhistakingalongholiday.
“Mr.Holroyd’ssenseofreligion,”Mrs.Gouldpursued,“wasshockedanddisgustedatthetawdrinessofthedressed-upsaintsinthecathedral—theworship,hecalledit,ofwoodandtinsel.ButitseemedtomethathelookeduponhisownGodasasortofinfluentialpartner,whogetshisshareofprofitsintheendowmentofchurches.That’sasortofidolatry.Hetoldmeheendowedchurcheseveryyear,Charley.”
“Noendofthem,”saidMr.Gould,marvellinginwardlyatthemobilityofherphysiognomy.“Alloverthecountry.He’sfamousforthatsortofmunificence.
