Кінець рабства
XII
Hecrossedtheriverfrequently(withneverlessthantenboatscrammedfullofpeople),inthewistfulhopeofextractingsomeinformationonthesubjectfromhisownwhiteman.Therewasacertainchairontheverandahealwaystook:thedignitariesofthecourtsquattedontherugsandskinsbetweenthefurniture:theinferiorpeopleremainedbelowonthegrassplotbetweenthehouseandtheriverinrowsthreeorfourdeepallalongthefront.Notseldomthevisitbeganatdaybreak.Mr.VanWyktoleratedtheseinroads.Hewouldnodoutofhisbedroomwindow,tooth-brushorrazorinhand,orpassthroughthethrongofcourtiersinhisbathingrobe.Heappearedanddisappearedhummingatune,polishedhisnailswithattention,rubbedhisshavedfacewitheau-de-Cologne,drankhisearlytea,wentouttoseehiscooliesatwork:returned,lookedthroughsomepapersonhisdesk,readapageortwoinabookorsatbeforehiscottagepianoleaningbackonthestool,hisarmsextended,fingersonthekeys,hisbodyswayingslightlyfromsidetoside.Whenabsolutelyforcedtospeakhegaveevasivevaguelysoothinganswersoutofpurecompassion:thesamefeelingperhapsmadehimsolavishlyhospitablewiththeaerateddrinksthatmorethanoncehelefthimselfwithoutsoda-waterforawholeweek.Thatoldmanhadgrantedhimasmuchlandashecaredtohavecleared:itwasneithermorenorlessthanafortune.
WhetheritwasfortuneorseclusionfromhiskindthatMr.VanWyksought,hecouldnothavepitcheduponabetterplace.
