Кінець рабства
XII
Hehadnever,nevermadeanychargeforthataccommodation.ButCaptainWhalley,hisnewpartner,wouldnotlethimprobably;besides,itwouldbeonlyputtingofftheevilday.Forhisownparthewouldmakeaholeinthewaterratherthanlookontamelyatthegreenfunnelsoverrunninghistrade.
Heravedaloud.TheChinaboyshungbackwiththedishesatthefootoftheladder.Heyelledfromthebridgedownatthedeck,“Aren’twegoingtohaveanychowthiseveningatall?”thenturnedviolentlytoCaptainWhalley,whowaited,graveandpatient,attheheadofthetable,smoothinghisbeardinsilencenowandthenwithaforbearinggesture.
“Youdon’tseemtocarewhathappenstome.Don’tyouseethatthisaffectsyourinterestsasmuchasmine?It’snojokingmatter.”
Hetookthefootofthetablegrowlingbetweenhisteeth.
“Unlessyouhaveafewthousandsputawaysomewhere.Ihaven’t.”
Mr.VanWykdinedinhisthoroughlylit-upbungalow,puttingapointofsplendorinthenightofhisclearingabovethedarkbankoftheriver.Afterwardshesatdowntohispiano,andinapausehebecameawareofslowfootstepspassingonthepathalongthefront.Aplankortwocreakedunderaheavytread;heswunghalfroundonthemusic-stool,listeningwithhisfingertipsatrestonthekeyboard.Hislittleterrierbarkedviolently,backinginfromtheveranda.Adeepvoiceapologizedgravelyfor“thisintrusion.”Hewalkedoutquickly.
