16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
I do not have to tell you, my dear, he
went on, that although I speak in this
high ascetic way about money, I do not,
never have, despise a competence: it is
the relation of superfluity to happiness
that is my text, and I am holier than
thou only after two hundred pounds a
year.
The viola had stopped, and Stephen, locking
away his paper, walked into the great cabin,
stretched out on the cushioned stern-window
locker, gazed for a while at the reflected
sunlight dancing overhead, and went to sleep.
He was woken, as long use had told him he
would be woken, by a trampling as of wild
beasts as the Surprise's boats were hoisted in:
hoarse cries – Oh you impotent booby – the
shrilling of the bosun's call – the clash of tack-