Ностромо
Chapter 4
MonyghamcouldbynomannerofmeansforgetthezealofFatherBeron,orhisface,orthepitiless,monotonousvoiceinwhichhepronouncedthewords,“Willyouconfessnow?”
Thismemorydidnotmakehimshudder,butithadmadeofhimwhathewasintheeyesofrespectablepeople,amancarelessofcommondecencies,somethingbetweenaclevervagabondandadisreputabledoctor.ButnotallrespectablepeoplewouldhavehadthenecessarydelicacyofsentimenttounderstandwithwhattroubleofmindandaccuracyofvisionDr.Monygham,medicalofficeroftheSanTomemine,rememberedFatherBeron,armychaplain,andonceasecretaryofamilitarycommission.AfteralltheseyearsDr.Monygham,inhisroomsattheendofthehospitalbuildingintheSanTomegorge,rememberedFatherBeronasdistinctlyasever.Herememberedthatpriestatnight,sometimes,inhissleep.Onsuchnightsthedoctorwaitedfordaylightwithacandlelighted,andwalkingthewholelengthofhisroomstoandfro,staringdownathisbarefeet,hisarmshugginghissidestightly.HewoulddreamofFatherBeronsittingattheendofalongblacktable,behindwhich,inarow,appearedtheheads,shoulders,andepaulettesofthemilitarymembers,nibblingthefeatherofaquillpen,andlisteningwithwearyandimpatientscorntotheprotestationsofsomeprisonercallingheaventowitnessofhisinnocence,tillheburstout,“What’stheuseofwastingtimeoverthatmiserablenonsense!Letmetakehimoutsideforawhile.
