Ностромо

           ”“Oh,hedidn’tboast,”Mrs.Goulddeclared,scrupulously.“Ibelievehe’sreallyagoodman,butsostupid!ApoorChulowhooffersalittlesilverarmorlegtothankhisgodforacureisasrationalandmoretouching.”

           “He’sattheheadofimmensesilverandironinterests,”CharlesGouldobserved.

           “Ah,yes!Thereligionofsilverandiron.He’saverycivilman,thoughhelookedawfullysolemnwhenhefirstsawtheMadonnaonthestaircase,who’sonlywoodandpaint;buthesaidnothingtome.MydearCharley,Iheardthosementalkamongthemselves.Canitbethattheyreallywishtobecome,foranimmenseconsideration,drawersofwaterandhewersofwoodtoallthecountriesandnationsoftheearth?”

           “Amanmustworktosomeend,”CharlesGouldsaid,vaguely.

           Mrs.Gould,frowning,surveyedhimfromheadtofoot.Withhisridingbreeches,leatherleggings(anarticleofapparelneverbeforeseeninCostaguana),aNorfolkcoatofgreyflannel,andthosegreatflamingmoustaches,hesuggestedanofficerofcavalryturnedgentlemanfarmer.ThiscombinationwasgratifyingtoMrs.Gould’stastes.“Howthinthepoorboyis!”shethought.“Heoverworkshimself.”Buttherewasnodenyingthathisfine-drawn,keenredface,andhiswhole,long-limbed,lankpersonhadanairofbreedinganddistinction.AndMrs.Gouldrelented.

           “Ionlywonderedwhatyoufelt,”shemurmured,gently.