Кінець рабства
XII
VanWykdetectedafaintsmileofassuranceflittingundertheheavymustache.
LateronCaptainWhalleywouldnowandthenconsenttodine“atthehouse.”Hecouldevenbeinducedtodrinkaglassofwine.“Don’tthinkIamafraidofit,mygoodsir,”heexplained.“TherewasaverygoodreasonwhyIshouldgiveitup.”
Onanotheroccasion,leaningbackatease,heremarked,“Youhavetreatedmemost—mosthumanely,mydearMr.VanWyk,fromtheveryfirst.”
“You’lladmittherewassomemerit,”Mr.VanWykhintedslyly.“AnassociateofthatexcellentMassy....Well,well,mydearcaptain,Iwon’tsayawordagainsthim.”
“Itwouldbenouseyoursayinganythingagainsthim,”CaptainWhalleyaffirmedalittlemoodily.“AsI’vetoldyoubefore,mylife—mywork,isnecessary,notformyselfalone.Ican’tchoose”...Hepaused,turnedtheglassbeforehimrightround....“Ihaveanonlychild—adaughter.”
Theampledownwardsweepofhisarmoverthetableseemedtosuggestasmallgirlatavastdistance.“IhopetoseeheroncemorebeforeIdie.Meantimeit’senoughtoknowthatshehasmesoundandsolid,thankGod.Youcan’tunderstandhowonefeels.Boneofmybone,fleshofmyflesh;theveryimageofmypoorwife.Well,she...”
Againhepaused,thenpronouncedstoicallythewords,“Shehasahardstruggle.”
Andhisheadfellonhisbreast,hiseyebrowsremainedknitted,asbyaneffortofmeditation.Butgenerallyhismindseemedsteepedintheserenityofboundlesstrustinahigherpower.Mr
