Місяць і гріш

Chapter XLVII

           CaptainNicholslookeduponitasasmartpieceofworkonStrickland’spartthathehadgotoutofthisbypaintingaportraitofToughBill.ToughBillnotonlypaidforthecanvas,colours,andbrushes,butgaveStricklandapoundofsmuggledtobaccointothebargain.ForallIknow,thispicturemaystilladorntheparlourofthetumbledownlittlehousesomewhereneartheQuaidelaJoliette,andIsupposeitcouldnowbesoldforfifteenhundredpounds.Strickland’sideawastoshiponsomevesselboundforAustraliaorNewZealand,andfromtheremakehiswaytoSamoaorTahiti.IdonotknowhowhehadcomeuponthenotionofgoingtotheSouthSeas,thoughIrememberthathisimaginationhadlongbeenhauntedbyanisland,allgreenandsunny,encircledbyaseamorebluethanisfoundinNorthernlatitudes.IsupposethatheclungtoCaptainNicholsbecausehewasacquaintedwiththoseparts,anditwasCaptainNicholswhopersuadedhimthathewouldbemorecomfortableinTahiti.

           "Yousee,Tahiti’sFrench,"heexplainedtome."AndtheFrencharen’tsodamnedtechnical."

           IthoughtIsawhispoint.

           Stricklandhadnopapers,butthatwasnotamattertodisconcertToughBillwhenhesawaprofit(hetookthefirstmonth’swagesofthesailorforwhomhefoundaberth),andheprovidedStricklandwiththoseofanEnglishstokerwhohadprovidentiallydiedonhishands.ButbothCaptainNicholsandStricklandwereboundEast,anditchancedthattheonlyopportunitiesforsigningonwerewithshipssailingWest.

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