Ностромо

           WhiletheCapatazbegantodevourthisbeggar’sfare,takingupwithstony-eyedvoracitypieceafterpiecelyingbyhisside,theGaribaldinowentoff,andsquattingdowninanothercornerfilledanearthenwaremugwithredwineoutofawicker-covereddemijohn.Withafamiliargesture,aswhenservingcustomersinthecafe,hehadthrusthispipebetweenhisteethtohavehishandsfree.

           TheCapatazdrankgreedily.Aslightflushdeepenedthebronzeofhischeek.Beforehim,Viola,withaturnofhiswhiteandmassiveheadtowardsthestaircase,tookhisemptypipeoutofhismouth,andpronouncedslowly—

           “Aftertheshotwasfireddownhere,whichkilledherassurelyasifthebullethadstruckheroppressedheart,shecalleduponyoutosavethechildren.Uponyou,Gian’Battista.”

           TheCapatazlookedup.

           “Didshedothat,Padrone?Tosavethechildren!TheyarewiththeEnglishsenora,theirrichbenefactress.Hey!oldmanofthepeople.Thybenefactress....”

           “Iamold,”mutteredGiorgioViola.“AnEnglishwomanwasallowedtogiveabedtoGaribaldilyingwoundedinprison.Thegreatestmanthateverlived.Amanofthepeople,too—asailor.Imayletanotherkeeparoofovermyhead.Si...Iamold.Imaylether.Lifelaststoolongsometimes.”

           “Andsheherselfmaynothavearoofoverherheadbeforemanydaysareout,unlessI...