Кінець рабства
XI
”
“IfyoutaketoboozingonthetripI’llfireyouout,”Massycried.
Anobstinatesilencefollowedthatthreat.Massymovedawayperplexed.Onthebanktwofiguresappeared,approachingthegangway.Heheardavoicetingedwithcontempt—
“Iwouldratherdoubtyourword.ButIshallcertainlyspeaktohimofthis.”
Theothervoice,Sterne’s,saidwithasortofregretfulformality—
“Thanks.That’sallIwant.Imustdomyduty.”
Mr.Massywassurprised.Ashort,dapperfigureleapedlightlyonthedeckandnearlyboundedintohimwherehestoodbeyondthecircleoflightfromthegangwaylamp.Whenithadpassedtowardsthebridge,afterexchangingahurried“Goodevening,”MassysaidsurlilytoSternewhofollowedwithslowsteps—
“Whatisityou’remakinguptoMr.VanWykfor,now?”
“Farfromit,Mr.Massy.IamnotgoodenoughforMr.VanWyk.Neitherareyou,sir,inhisopinion,Iamafraid.CaptainWhalleyis,itseems.He’sgonetoaskhimtodineupatthehousethisevening.”
Thenhemurmuredtohimselfdarkly—
“Ihopehewilllikeit.”
