Ностромо
Chapter 11
IrememberbeinginMitchell’sofficeoneday,whenhecameinwiththatcalm,graveairhealwayscarrieseverywhere.HehadbeenawaytradingintheGulfofCalifornia,hesaid,lookingstraightpastusatthewall,ashismanneris,andwasgladtoseeonhisreturnthatalighthousewasbeingbuiltonthecliffoftheGreatIsabel.Veryglad,herepeated.MitchellexplainedthatitwastheO.S.N.Co.whowasbuildingit,fortheconvenienceofthemailservice,onhisownadvice.CaptainFidanzawasgoodenoughtosaythatitwasexcellentadvice.IrememberhimtwistinguphismoustachesandlookingallroundthecorniceoftheroombeforeheproposedthatoldGiorgioshouldbemadethekeeperofthatlight.”
“Iheardofthis.Iwasconsultedatthetime,”Mrs.Gouldsaid.“Idoubtedwhetheritwouldbegoodforthesegirlstobeshutuponthatislandasifinaprison.”
“TheproposalfellinwiththeoldGaribaldino’shumour.AstoLinda,anyplacewaslovelyanddelightfulenoughforheraslongasitwasNostromo’ssuggestion.ShecouldwaitforherGian’Battista’sgoodpleasurethereaswellasanywhereelse.MyopinionisthatshewasalwaysinlovewiththatincorruptibleCapataz.Moreover,bothfatherandsisterwereanxioustogetGiselleawayfromtheattentionsofacertainRamirez.”
“Ah!”saidMrs.Gould,interested.“Ramirez?Whatsortofmanisthat?”
“Justamozoofthetown.HisfatherwasaCargador.