Кінець рабства
IV
Hehadneveradoptedthecomparativelymodernfashionofpipeclayedcorkhelmets.Hedislikedtheform;andhehopedhecouldmanagetokeepacoolheadtotheendofhislifewithoutallthesecontrivancesforhygienicventilation.Hishairwascroppedclose,hislinenalwaysofimmaculatewhiteness;asuitofthingrayflannel,wornthreadbarebutscrupulouslybrushed,floatedabouthisburlylimbs,addingtohisbulkbytheloosenessofitscut.Theyearshadmellowedthegood-humored,imperturbableaudacityofhisprimeintoatempercarelesslyserene;andtheleisurelytappingofhisiron-shodstickaccompaniedhisfootfallswithaself-confidentsoundontheflagstones.Itwasimpossibletoconnectsuchafinepresenceandthisunruffledaspectwiththebelittlingtroublesofpoverty;theman’swholeexistenceappearedtopassbeforeyou,facileandlarge,inthefreedomofmeansasampleastheclothingofhisbody.
Theirrationaldreadofhavingtobreakintohisfivehundredpoundsforpersonalexpensesinthehoteldisturbedthesteadypoiseofhismind.Therewasnotimetolose.Thebillwasrunningup.Henourishedthehopethatthisfivehundredwouldperhapsbethemeans,ifeverythingelsefailed,ofobtainingsomeworkwhich,keepinghisbodyandsoultogether(notamatterofgreatoutlay),wouldenablehimtobeofusetohisdaughter.Tohisminditwasherownmoneywhichheemployed,asitwere,inbackingherfatherandsolelyforherbenefit.
