Кінець рабства
XIII
Everythingwasverystill.Atinkleofcutleryandaslightjingleofglasseswereheard.Mr.VanWyk’sservantswerelayingthetablefortwoontheveranda.
“I’mafraidyougivemenocreditwhateverformygoodintentionsinthematterI’vespokentoyouabout,”saidSterne.
“Isimplydon’tunderstandyou.”
“CaptainWhalleyisaveryaudaciousman,buthewillunderstandthathisgameisup.That’sallthatanybodyneedeverknowofitfromme.Believeme,Iamveryconsiderateinthis,butdutyisduty.Idon’twanttomakeafuss.AllIaskyou,ashisfriend,istotellhimfrommethatthegame’sup.Thatwillbesufficient.”
Mr.VanWykfeltaloathsomedismayatthisqueerprivilegeoffriendship.Hewouldnotdemeanhimselfbyaskingfortheslightestexplanation;todrivetheotherawaywithcontumelyhedidnotthinkprudent—asyet,atanyrate.Somuchassurancestaggeredhim.Whocouldtellwhattherecouldbeinit,hethought?HisregardforCaptainWhalleyhadthetenacityofadisinterestedsentiment,andhispracticalinstinctcomingtohisaid,heconcealedhisscorn.
“Igather,then,thatthisissomethinggrave.”
“Verygrave,”Sterneassentedsolemnly,delightedathavingproducedaneffectatlast.Hewasreadytoaddsomeeffusiveprotestationsofregretatthe“unavoidablenecessity,”butMr.VanWykcuthimshort—verycivilly,however.
OnceontheverandaMr.VanWykputhishandsinhispockets,and,straddlinghislegs,stareddownatablackpantherskinlyingonthefloorbeforearocking-chair.
