Конец рабства
XI
Butifyousaytheword,sir,Icantellyousomethingabouthisindolencethatwillgiveyoutheclearrighttofirehimoutonthespotandputmeinchargefortherestofthisverytrip—yes,sir,beforeweleaveBatuBeru—andmakehimpayadollaradayforhiskeeptillwegetback,ifyoulike.Now,whatdoyouthinkofthat?Come,sir.Saytheword.It’sreallywellworthyourwhile,andIamquitereadytotakeyourbareword.Adefinitestatementfromyouwouldbeasgoodasabond.”
Hiseyesbegantoshine.Heinsisted.Asimplestatement,—andhethoughttohimselfthathewouldmanagesomehowtostickinhisberthaslongasitsuitedhim.Hewouldmakehimselfindispensable;theshiphadabadnameinherport;itwouldbeeasytoscarethefellowsoff.Massywouldhavetokeephim.
“Adefinitestatementfrommewouldbeenough,”Massyrepeatedslowly.
“Yes,sir.Itwould.”SternestuckouthischincheerilyandblinkedatclosequarterswiththatunconsciousimpudencewhichhadthepowertoenrageMassybeyondanything.
Theengineerspokeverydistinctly.
“Listenwelltome,then,Mr.Sterne:Iwouldn’t—d’yehear?—Iwouldn’tpromiseyouthevalueoftwopenceforanythingyoucantellme.”
HestruckSterne’sarmawaywithasmartblow,andcatchingholdofthehandlepulledthedoorto.Theterrificslamdarkenedthecabininstantaneouslytohiseyeasifaftertheflashofanexplosion.Atoncehedroppedintothechair.“Oh,no!Youdon’t!”hewhisperedfaintly.
