Кінець рабства
XI
Hecontentedhimselftobellowoutthroughthecloseddoor—
“You—Jack!”
Thefootstepscamebackwithouthaste;thedoorhandlerattled,andthesecondengineerappearedintheopening,shadowyinthesheenoftheskylightathisback,withhisfaceapparentlyasblackastherestofhisfigure.
“Wehavebeenverylongcomingupthistime,”Mr.Massygrowled,withoutchanginghisattitude.
“Whatdoyouexpectwithhalftheboilertubespluggedupforleaks.”Theseconddefendedhimselfloquaciously.
“Noneofyourlip,”saidMassy.
“Noneofyourrottenboilers—Isay,”retortedhisfaithfulsubordinatewithoutanimation,huskily.“Godownthereandcarryaheadofsteamonthemyourself—ifyoudare.Idon’t.”
“Youaren’tworthyoursaltthen,”Massysaid.Theothermadeafaintnoisewhichresembledalaughbutmighthavebeenasnarl.
“Bettergoslowthanstoptheshipaltogether,”headmonishedhisadmiredsuperior.Mr.Massymovedatlast.Heturnedinhischair,andgrindinghisteeth—
“Dam’youandtheship!Iwishshewereatthebottomofthesea.Thenyouwouldhavetostarve.”
Thetrustysecondengineerclosedthedoorgently.
Massylistened.Insteadofpassingontothebathroomwhereheshouldhavegonetocleanhimself,thesecondenteredhiscabin,whichwasnextdoor.Mr.Massyjumpedupandwaited.Suddenlyheheardthelocksnapinthere.Herushedoutandgaveaviolentkicktothedoor.
“Ibelieveyouarelockingyourselfuptogetdrunk,”heshouted.
Amuffledanswercameafterawhile.
“Myowntime
