Page 291 - nostromo-a-tale-of-the-seaboard

What angry nonsense are you talking, mother? Would you
rather have me timid and foolish, selling water-melons on
the market-place or rowing a boat for passengers along the
harbour, like a soft Neapolitan without courage or reputa-
tion? Would you have a young man live like a monk? I do
not believe it. Would you want a monk for your eldest girl?
Let her grow. What are you afraid of? You have been angry
with me for everything I did for years; ever since you first
spoke to me, in secret from old Giorgio, about your Linda.
Husband to one and brother to the other, did you say? Well,
why not! I like the little ones, and a man must marry some
time. But ever since that time you have been making little
of me to everyone. Why? Did you think you could put a col-
lar and chain on me as if I were one of the watch-dogs they
keep over there in the railway yards? Look here, Padrona,
I am the same man who came ashore one evening and sat
down in the thatched ranche you lived in at that time on
the other side of the town and told you all about himself.
You were not unjust to me then. What has happened since? I
am no longer an insignificant youth. A good name, Giorgio
says, is a treasure, Padrona.’
‘They have turned your head with their praises,’ gasped
the sick woman. ‘They have been paying you with words.
Your folly shall betray you into poverty, misery, starvation.
The very leperos shall laugh at you—the great Capataz.’
Nostromo stood for a time as if struck dumb. She nev-
er looked at him. A self-confident, mirthless smile passed
quickly from his lips, and then he backed away. His disre-
garded figure sank down beyond the doorway. He descended

0 Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard