Кінець рабства

           VanWykhadheardhimcomingupfromalongwayoffintheprofoundstillnessoftheriver-side,andhadnoticedtheirresolutecharacterofthefootfalls.Thetoeofhisboothadstruckthebottomstairasthoughhehadcomealongmooningwithhisheadintheairrightuptothestepsoftheveranda.HadthecaptainoftheSofalabeenanothersortofmanhewouldhavesuspectedtheworkofagethere.Butoneglanceathimwasenough.Time—after,indeed,markinghimforitsown—hadgivenhimuptohisusefulness,inwhichhissimplefaithwouldseeaproofofDivinemercy.“HowcouldIcontrivetowarnhim?”Mr.VanWykwondered,asifCaptainWhalleyhadbeenmilesandmilesaway,outofsightandearshotofallevil.HewassickenedbyanimmensedisgustofSterne.ToevenmentionhisthreattoamanlikeWhalleywouldbepositivelyindecent.Therewassomethingmorevileandinsultinginitshintthaninadefinitechargeofcrime—thedebasingtaintofblackmailing.“Whatcouldanyonebringagainsthim?”heaskedhimself.Thiswasalimpidpersonality.“Andforwhatobject?”ThePowerthatmantrustedhadthoughtfittoleavehimnothingonearththatenvycouldlayholdof,exceptabarecrustofbread.

           “Won’tyoutrysomeofthis?”heasked,pushingadishslightly.SuddenlyitseemedtoMr.VanWykthatSternemightpossiblybecovetingthecommandoftheSofala.Hiscynicismwasquitestartledbywhatlookedlikeaproofthatnomanmaycounthimselfsafefromhiskindunlessintheveryabyssofmisery.