Місяць і гріш

Chapter LV

           MorethantwoyearspassedbeforeIwenttoTaravaoagain,andthenitwasoncemoretoseetheoldchiefess.IaskedthemwhethertheyhadheardanythingofStrickland.Bynowitwasknowneverywherethathehadleprosy.FirstTane,theboy,hadleftthehouse,andthen,alittletimeafterwards,theoldwomanandhergrandchild.StricklandandAtawereleftalonewiththeirbabies.Noonewentneartheplantation,for,asyouknow,thenativeshaveaverylivelyhorrorofthedisease,andintheolddayswhenitwasdiscoveredthesuffererwaskilled;butsometimes,whenthevillageboyswerescramblingaboutthehills,theywouldcatchsightofthewhiteman,withhisgreatredbeard,wanderingabout.Theyfledinterror.SometimesAtawouldcomedowntothevillageatnightandarousethetrader,sothathemightsellhervariousthingsofwhichshestoodinneed.SheknewthatthenativeslookeduponherwiththesamehorrifiedaversionastheylookeduponStrickland,andshekeptoutoftheirway.Oncesomewomen,venturingnearerthanusualtotheplantation,sawherwashingclothesinthebrook,andtheythrewstonesather.Afterthatthetraderwastoldtogiveherthemessagethatifsheusedthebrookagainmenwouldcomeandburndownherhouse."

           "Brutes,"Isaid.

           "Maisnon,monchermonsieur,menarealwaysthesame.Fearmakesthemcruel....IdecidedtoseeStrickland,andwhenIhadfinishedwiththechiefessaskedforaboytoshowmetheway.Butnonewouldaccompanyme,andIwasforcedtofinditalone."

           WhenDr.Coutrasarrivedattheplantationhewasseizedwithafeelingofuneasiness.

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