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Nostromo - A Tale of the Seaboard.pdf - Planet eBook

Nostromo - A Tale of the Seaboard.pdf - Planet eBook

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‘Very well,’ he agreed with <strong>the</strong> slightly weary nonchalance<strong>of</strong> a man well used to <strong>the</strong>se passages. ‘But is it perhapsthat you have not discovered yet what is <strong>the</strong> God <strong>of</strong> my worship?It was an easier task with our Barrios.’The priest suppressed a gesture <strong>of</strong> discouragement. ‘Youbelieve nei<strong>the</strong>r in stick nor stone,’ he said.‘Nor bottle,’ added Decoud without stirring. ‘Nei<strong>the</strong>rdoes <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> your reverence’s confidants. I mean <strong>the</strong>Capataz <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cargadores. He does not drink. Your reading<strong>of</strong> my character does honour to your perspicacity. Butwhy call me a hea<strong>the</strong>n?’‘True,’ retorted <strong>the</strong> priest. ‘You are ten times worse. Amiracle could not convert you.’‘I certainly do not believe in miracles,’ said Decoud, quietly.Fa<strong>the</strong>r Corbelan shrugged his high, broad shouldersdoubtfully.‘A sort <strong>of</strong> Frenchman—godless—a materialist,’ he pronouncedslowly, as if weighing <strong>the</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> a careful analysis.‘Nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> his own country nor <strong>of</strong> any o<strong>the</strong>r,’ hecontinued, thoughtfully.‘Scarcely human, in fact,’ Decoud commented under hisbreath, his head at rest against <strong>the</strong> wall, his eyes gazing upat <strong>the</strong> ceiling.‘The victim <strong>of</strong> this faithless age,’ Fa<strong>the</strong>r Corbelan resumedin a deep but subdued voice.‘But <strong>of</strong> some use as a journalist.’ Decoud changed hispose and spoke in a more animated tone. ‘Has your worshipneglected to read <strong>the</strong> last number <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Porvenir? Iassure you it is just like <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs. On <strong>the</strong> general policy it

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