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Conrad, Joseph, 1857-1924

"Chance"


For, after I had stooped, there I remained prying, spying, anyway
looking, where I had no business to look. Not consciously at first, may
be. He who has eyes, you know, nothing can stop him from seeing things
as long as there are things to see in front of him. What I saw at first
was the end of the table and the tray clamped on to it, a patent tray for
sea use, fitted with holders for a couple of decanters, water-jug and
glasses. The glitter of these things caught my eye first; but what I saw
next was the captain down there, alone as far as I could see; and I could
see pretty well the whole of that part up to the cottage piano, dark
against the satin-wood panelling of the bulkhead. And I remained
looking. I did. And I don't know that I was ashamed of myself either,
then. It was the fault of that Franklin, always talking of the man,
making free with him to that extent that really he seemed to have become
our property, his and mine, in a way. It's funny, but one had that
feeling about Captain Anthony. To watch him was not so much worse than
listening to Franklin talking him over.


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