Кінець рабства
V
Complexionquitesunburnt.Heshouldthinkruined.Verygraciousmanners.TheyweregoingontoJapan....
HeejaculatedthesedetailsforCaptainWhalley’sedification,pausingtoblowouthischeeksasifwithapent-upsenseofimportance,andrepeatedlyprotrudinghisthicklipstillthebluntcrimsonendofhisnoseseemedtodipintothemilkofhismustache.Theplaceranitself;itwasfitforanylord;itgavenotroubleexceptinitsMarinedepartment—initsMarinedepartmentherepeatedtwice,andafteraheavysnortbegantorelatehowtheotherdayherMajesty’sConsul-GeneralinFrenchCochin-Chinahadcabledtohim—inhisofficialcapacity—askingforaqualifiedmantobesentovertotakechargeofaGlasgowshipwhosemasterhaddiedinSaigon.
“Isentwordofittotheofficers’quartersintheSailors’Home,”hecontinued,whilethelimpinhisgaitseemedtogrowmoreaccentuatedwiththeincreasingirritationofhisvoice.“Place’sfullofthem.Twiceasmanymenasthereareberthsgoinginthelocaltrade.Allhungryforaneasyjob.Twiceasmany—and—Whatd’youthink,Whalley?...”
Hestoppedshort;hishandsclenchedandthrustdeeplydownwards,seemedreadytoburstthepocketsofhisjacket.AslightsighescapedCaptainWhalley.
“Hey?Youwouldthinktheywouldbefallingovereachother.Notabitofit.Frightenedtogohome.Niceandwarmoutheretolieaboutaverandawaitingforajob.Isitandwaitinmyoffice.Nobody.Whatdidtheysuppose?ThatIwasgoingtosittherelikeadummywiththeConsul-General’scablebeforeme?Notlikely.
