Кінець рабства
XIV
”
Hiswhinewashalfpersuasive,halfmenacing.
“Forit’snomannerofusetotellmethatyouarepoor.Youdon’tspendanythingonyourself,that’strueenough;butthere’sanothernameforthat.Youthinkyouaregoingtohavewhatyouwantoutofmeforthreeyears,andthencastmeoffwithouthearingwhatIthinkofyou.YouthinkIwouldhavesubmittedtoyourairsifIhadknownyouhadonlyabeggarlyfivehundredpoundsintheworld.Yououghttohavetoldme.”
“Perhaps,”saidCaptainWhalley,bowinghishead.“Andyetithassavedyou.”...Massylaughedscornfully....“Ihavetoldyouoftenenoughsince.”
“AndIdon’tbelieveyounow.WhenIthinkhowIletyoulorditovermyship!Doyourememberhowyouusedtobullyragmeaboutmycoatandyourbridge?Itwasinhisway.Hisbridge!‘AndIwon’tbeapartytothis—andIcouldn’tthinkofdoingthat.’Honestman!Andnowitallcomesout.‘Iampoor,andIcan’t.Ihaveonlythisfivehundredintheworld.’”
HecontemplatedtheimmobilityofCaptainWhalley,thatseemedtopresentaninconquerableobstacleinhispath.Hisfacetookamournfulcast.
“Youareahardman.”
“Enough,”saidCaptainWhalley,turninguponhim.“Youshallgetnothingfromme,becauseIhavenothingofminetogiveawaynow.”
“Tellthattothemarines!”
Mr.Massy,goingout,lookedbackonce;thenthedoorclosed,andCaptainWhalley,alone,satasstillasbefore.Hehadnothingofhisown—evenhispastofhonor,oftruth,ofjustpride,wasgone.Allhisspotlesslifehadfallenintotheabyss.
