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9 -- BUSINESS
The lunch was a frugal one. Some of Captain Delano's fresh fish
and pumpkins, biscuit and salt beef, the reserved bottle of cider, and
the San Dominick's last bottle of Canary.
As they entered, Francesco, with two or three coloured aides,
was hovering over the table giving the last adjustments. Upon
perceiving their master they withdrew, Francesco making a smiling
conge, and the Spaniard, without condescending to notice it,
fastidiously remarking to his companion that he relished not
superfluous attendance.
Without companions, host and guest sat down, like a childless
married couple, at opposite ends of the table, Don Benito waving
Captain Delano to his place, and, weak as he was, insisting upon
that gentleman being seated before himself.
The Negro placed a rug under Don Benito's feet, and a cushion
behind his back, and then stood behind, not his master's chair, but
Captain Delano's. At first, this a little surprised the latter. But it
was soon evident that, in taking his position, the black was still
true to his master; since by facing him he could the more readily
anticipate his slightest want.
"This is an uncommonly intelligent fellow of yours, Don Benito,"
whispered Captain Delano across the table.
"You say true, Senor."
During the repast, the guest again reverted to parts of Don
Benito's story, begging further particulars here and there. He
inquired how it was that the scurvy and fever should have committed
such wholesale havoc upon the whites, while destroying less than
half of the blacks. As if this question reproduced the whole scene
of plague before the Spaniard's eyes, miserably reminding him of his
solitude in a cabin where before he had had so many friends and
officers round him, his hand shook, his face became hueless, broken
words escaped; but directly the sane memory of the past seemed
replaced by insane terrors of the present. With starting eyes he
stared before him at vacancy. For nothing was to be seen but the
hand of his servant pushing the Canary over towards him. At length a
few sips served partially to restore him. He made random reference
to the different constitutions of races, enabling one to offer more
resistance to certain maladies than another. The thought was new to
his companion.
Presently Captain Delano, intending to say something to his host
concerning the pecuniary part of the business he had undertaken for
him, especially -- since he was strictly accountable to his owners -- with
reference to the new suit of sails, and other things of that sort; and
naturally preferring to conduct such affairs in private, was
desirous that the servant should withdraw; imagining that Don Benito
for a few minutes could dispense with his attendance. He, however,
waited awhile; thinking that, as the conversation proceeded, Don
Benito, without being prompted, would perceive the propriety of the
step.
But it was otherwise. At last catching his host's eye, Captain
Delano, with a slight backward gesture of his thumb, whispered, "Don
Benito, pardon me, but there is an interference with the full
expression of what I have to say to you."
Upon this the Spaniard changed countenance; which was imputed to
his resenting the hint, as in some way a reflection upon his
servant. After a moment's pause, he assured his guest that the black's
remaining with them could be of no disservice; because since losing
his officers he had made Babo (whose original office, it now appeared,
had been captain of the slaves) not only his constant attendant and
companion, but in all things his confidant.
After this, nothing more could be said; though, indeed, Captain
Delano could hardly avoid some little tinge of irritation upon being
left ungratified in so inconsiderable a wish, by one, too, for whom he
intended such solid services. But it is only his querulousness,
thought he; and so filling his glass he proceeded to business.
The price of the sails and other matters was fixed upon. But while
this was being done, the American observed that, though his original
offer of assistance had been hailed with hectic animation, yet now
when it was reduced to a business transaction, indifference and apathy
were betrayed. Don Benito, in fact, appeared to submit to hearing
the details more out of regard to common propriety, than from any
impression that weighty benefit to himself and his voyage was
involved.
Soon, his manner became still more reserved. The effort was vain
to seek to draw him into social talk. Gnawed by his splenetic mood, he
sat twitching his beard, while to little purpose the hand of his
servant, mute as that on the wall, slowly pushed over the Canary.
Lunch being over, they sat down on the cushioned transom; the
servant placing a pillow behind his master. The long continuance of
the calm had now affected the atmosphere. Don Benito sighed heavily,
as if for breath.
"Why not adjourn to the cuddy," said Captain Delano; "there is
more air there." But the host sat silent and motionless.
Meantime his servant knelt before him, with a large fan of
feathers. And Francesco, coming in on tiptoes, handed the Negro a
little cup of aromatic waters, with which at intervals he chafed his
master's brow, smoothing the hair along the temples as a nurse does
a child's. He spoke no word. He only rested his eye on his master's,
as if, amid all Don Benito's distress, a little to refresh his
spirit by the silent sight of fidelity.
Benito Cereno
by Herman Melville
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