Кінець рабства
XI
Massy,tosuspectanybodyofsucha...It’senoughtomakeyourhairstandonend.”
Hewatchedfortheeffect:Massyseemeddazed,uncomprehending.Heonlypassedthepalmofhishandonthecoal-blackwispsplasteredacrossthetopofhishead.InatonesuddenlychangedtoconfidentialaudacitySternehastenedon.
“Rememberthatthere’sonlysixweekslefttorun...”Theotherwaslookingathimstonily...“soanyhowyoushallrequireacaptainfortheshipbeforelong.”
Thenonly,asifthatsuggestionhadscarifiedhisfleshinthemannerofred-hotiron,Massygaveastartandseemedreadytoshriek.Hecontainedhimselfbyagreateffort.
“Requireacaptain,”herepeatedwithscathingslowness.“Whorequiresacaptain?YoudaretotellmethatIneedanyofyouhumbuggingsailorstorunmyship.Youandyourlikeshavebeenfatteningonmeforyears.Itwouldhavehurtmelesstothrowmymoneyoverboard.Pam—pe—redus—e—lessf-f-f-frauds.Theoldshipknowsasmuchasthebestofyou.”Hesnappedhisteethaudiblyandgrowledthroughthem,“Thesillylawrequiresacaptain.”
Sternehadtakenheartofgracemeantime.
“Andthesillyinsurancepeopletoo,aswell,”hesaidlightly.“Butnevermindthat.WhatIwanttoaskis:Whyshouldn’tIdo,sir?Idon’tsaybutyoucouldtakeasteamerabouttheworldaswellasanyofussailors.Idon’tpretendtotellyouthatitisaverygreattrick...”Heemittedashort,hollowguffaw,familiarly...
