Кінець рабства
VII
Thiswasthewayinwhichthesecondengineeransweredhischief.
Hewasamiddle-agedmanwithaninattentivemanner,andapparentlywrappedupinsuchataciturnconcernforhisenginesthatheseemedtohavelosttheuseofspeech.Whenaddresseddirectlyhisonlyanswerwouldbeagruntorahoot,accordingtothedistance.ForalltheyearshehadbeenintheSofalahehadneverbeenknowntoexchangeasmuchasafrankGood-morningwithanyofhisshipmates.Hedidnotseemawarethatmencameandwentintheworld;hedidnotseemtoseethematall.Indeedheneverrecognizedhisshipmatesonshore.Attable(thefourwhitemenoftheSofalamessedtogether)hesatlookingintohisplatedispassionately,butattheendofthemealwouldjumpupandboltdownbelowasifasuddenthoughthadimpelledhimtorushandseewhethersomebodyhadnotstolentheengineswhilehedined.Inportattheendofthetriphewentashoreregularly,butnooneknewwherehespenthiseveningsorinwhatmanner.ThelocalcoastingfleethadpreservedawildandincoherenttaleofhisinfatuationforthewifeofasergeantinanIrishinfantryregiment.Theregiment,however,haddoneitsturnofgarrisondutythereagesbefore,andwasgonesomewheretotheothersideoftheearth,outofmen’sknowledge.Twiceorperhapsthreetimesinthecourseoftheyearhewouldtaketoomuchtodrink.
