Кінець рабства
XIII
VanWyksaidalmostunwittingly,andwasamazedatthesuddencroppingupofacommercialdetail.
“Theshipisunseaworthy,Itellyou.Thepolicywouldbeinvalidifitwereknown...”
“Weshallsharetheguilt,then.”
“Nothingcouldmakemineless,”saidCaptainWhalley.
Hehadnotdaredtoconsultadoctor;themanwouldhaveperhapsaskedwhohewas,whathewasdoing;Massymighthaveheardsomething.Hehadlivedonwithoutanyhelp,humanordivine.Theveryprayersstuckinhisthroat.Whatwastheretoprayfor?anddeathseemedasfarasever.Oncehegotintohiscabinhedarednotcomeoutagain;whenhesatdownhedarednotgetup;hedarednotraisehiseyestoanybody’sface;hefeltreluctanttolookupontheseaoruptothesky.Theworldwasfadingbeforehisgreatfearofgivinghimselfaway.Theoldshipwashislastfriend;hewasnotafraidofher;hekneweveryinchofherdeck;butathertoohehardlydaredtolook,forfearoffindinghecouldseelessthanthedaybefore.Agreatincertitudeenvelopedhim.Thehorizonwasgone;theskymingleddarklywiththesea.Whowasthisfigurestandingoveryonder?whatwasthisthinglyingdownthere?Andafrightfuldoubtoftherealityofwhathecouldseemadeeventheremnantofsightthatremainedtohimanaddedtorment,apitfallalwaysopenforhismiserablepretense.Hewasafraidtostumbleinexcusablyoversomething—tosayafatalYesorNotoaquestion.ThehandofGodwasuponhim,butitcouldnottearhimawayfromhischild.And,asifinanightmareofhumiliation,everyfeaturelessmanseemedanenemy.
