Кінець рабства
XIV
Asomberfurydarkenedhismind:ahotangeragainsttheship,againstthefactsoflife,againstthemenfortheircheating,againsthimselftoo—becauseofaninwardtremorofhisheart.
Anincomprehensiblegrowlansweredhim.
“What?Can’tyouopenyourmouthnow?Youyelpoutyourinfernalrotloudenoughwhenyouaredrunk.Whatdoyoumeanbyabusingpeopleinthatway?—youolduselessboozer,you!”
“Can’thelpit.Don’trememberanythingaboutit.Youshouldn’tlisten.”
“Youdaretotellme!Whatdoyoumeanbygoingonadrunklikethis!”
“Don’taskme.Sickofthedam’boilers—youwouldbe.Sickoflife.”
“Iwishyouweredead,then.You’vemademesickofyou.Don’tyouremembertheuproaryoumadelastnight?Youmiserableoldsoaker!”
“No;Idon’t.Don’twantto.Drinkisdrink.”
“Iwonderwhatpreventsmefromkickingyouout.Whatdoyouwanthere?”
“Relieveyou.You’vebeenlongenoughdownthere,George.”
“Don’tyouGeorgeme—youtipplingoldrascal,you!IfIweretodieto-morrowyouwouldstarve.Rememberthat.SayMr.Massy.”
“Mr.Massy,”repeatedtheotherstolidly.
Disheveled,withdullblood-shoteyes,asnuffy,grimyshirt,greasytrowsers,nakedfeetthrustintoraggedslippers,heboltedinheaddowndirectlyMassyhadmadewayforhim.
Thechiefengineerlookedaround.Thedeckwasemptyasfarasthetaffrail.AllthenativepassengershadleftinBatuBeruthistime,andnoothershadjoined.Thedialofthepatentlogtinkledperiodicallyinthedarkattheendoftheship.
