Кінець рабства
IV
Herememberedthethings,thefaces,andsomethingmorebesides—likethefaintflavorofacupquaffedtothebottom,likeasubtlesparkleoftheairthatwasnottobefoundintheatmosphereofto-day.
Inthisevocation,swiftandfullofdetaillikeaflashofmagnesiumlightintothenichesofadarkmemorialhall,CaptainWhalleycontemplatedthingsonceimportant,theeffortsofsmallmen,thegrowthofagreatplace,butnowrobbedofallconsequencebythegreatnessofaccomplishedfacts,byhopesgreaterstill;andtheygavehimforamomentsuchanalmostphysicalgripupontime,suchacomprehensionofourunchangeablefeelings,thathestoppedshort,struckthegroundwithhisstick,andejaculatedmentally,“WhatthedevilamIdoinghere!”Heseemedlostinasortofsurprise;butheheardhisnamecalledoutinwheezytonesonce,twice—andturnedonhisheelsslowly.
Hebeheldthen,waddlingtowardshimautocratically,amanofanold-fashionedandgoutyaspect,withhairaswhiteashisown,butwithshaved,floridcheeks,wearinganecktie—almostaneckcloth—whosestiffendsprojectedfarbeyondhischin;withroundlegs,roundarms,aroundbody,aroundface—generallyproducingtheeffectofhisshortfigurehavingbeendistendedbymeansofanair-pumpasmuchastheseamsofhisclothingwouldstand.ThiswastheMaster-Attendantoftheport
