Ностромо
Chapter 4
Headvancedonestick,thenonemaimedfoot,thentheotherstick;theotherfootfollowedonlyaveryshortdistancealongtheground,toilfully,asthoughitwerealmosttooheavytobemovedatall;andyethislegsunderthehanginganglesoftheponchoappearednothickerthanthetwosticksinhishands.Aceaselesstremblingagitatedhisbentbody,allhiswastedlimbs,hisbonyhead,theconical,raggedcrownofthesombrero,whoseampleflatrimrestedonhisshoulders.
InsuchconditionsofmannerandattiredidDr.Monyghamgoforthtotakepossessionofhisliberty.AndtheseconditionsseemedtobindhimindissolublytothelandofCostaguanalikeanawfulprocedureofnaturalization,involvinghimdeepinthenationallife,fardeeperthananyamountofsuccessandhonourcouldhavedone.TheydidawaywithhisEuropeanism;forDr.Monyghamhadmadehimselfanidealconceptionofhisdisgrace.Itwasaconceptioneminentlyfitandproperforanofficerandagentleman.Dr.Monygham,beforehewentouttoCostaguana,hadbeensurgeoninoneofHerMajesty’sregimentsoffoot.Itwasaconceptionwhichtooknoaccountofphysiologicalfactsorreasonablearguments;butitwasnotstupidforallthat.Itwassimple.Aruleofconductrestingmainlyonsevererejectionsisnecessarilysimple.Dr.Monygham’sviewofwhatitbehovedhimtodowassevere;itwasanidealview,insomuchthatitwastheimaginativeexaggerationofacorrectfeeling.Itwasalso,initsforce,influence,andpersistency,theviewofaneminentlyloyalnature.