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

the Violas. As late as midnight at times.’The doctor paused and stared meaningly at Mrs. Gould.‘Yes. But I don’t understand,’ she began, looking puzzled.‘Now comes the strange part,’ went on Dr. Monygham.‘Viola, who is king on his island, will allow no visitor on it afterdark. Even Captain Fidanza has got to leave after sunset,when Linda has gone up to tend the light. And Nostromogoes away obediently. But what happens afterwards? Whatdoes he do in the gulf between half-past six and midnight?He has been seen more than once at that late hour pullingquietly into the harbour. Ramirez is devoured by jealousy.He dared not approach old Viola; but he plucked up courageto rail at Linda about it on Sunday morning as she cameon the mainland to hear mass and visit her mother’s grave.There was a scene on the wharf, which, as a matter of fact, Iwitnessed. It was early morning. He must have been waitingfor her on purpose. I was there by the merest chance, havingbeen called to an urgent consultation by the doctor of theGerman gunboat in the harbour. She poured wrath, scorn,and flame upon Ramirez, who seemed out of his mind. Itwas a strange sight, Mrs. Gould: the long jetty, with thisraving Cargador in his crimson sash and the girl all in black,at the end; the early Sunday morning quiet of the harbourin the shade of the mountains; nothing but a canoe or twomoving between the ships at anchor, and the German gunboat’sgig coming to take me off. Linda passed me within afoot. I noticed her wild eyes. I called out to her. She neverheard me. She never saw me. But I looked at her face. It wasawful in its anger and wretchedness.’