 eye for the incidental - for the externals - no eye for the hod
of the rag-picker or the fine linen of the next man. Next man - that's it. I
have met so many men,« he pursued, with momentary sadness - »met them, too, with
a certain - certain - impact, let us say; like this fellow, for instance - and
in each case all I could see was merely the human being. A confounded democratic
quality of vision which may be better than total blindness, but has been of no
advantage to me, I can assure you. Men expect one to take into account their
fine linen. But I never could get up any enthusiasm about these things. Oh! it's
a failing; it's a failing; and then comes a soft evening; a lot of men too
indolent for whist - and a story....«
    He paused again to wait for an encouraging remark perhaps, but nobody spoke;
only the host, as if reluctantly performing a duty, murmured:
    »You are so subtle, Marlow.«
    »Who? I?« said Marlow in a low voice. »Oh no! But he was; and try as I may
for the success of this yarn, I am missing innumerable shades - they were so
fine, so difficult to render in colourless words. Because he complicated matters
by being so simple, too - the simplest poor devil!... By Jove! he was amazing.
There he sat telling me that just as I saw him before my eyes he wouldn't be
afraid to face anything - and believing in it, too. I tell you it was fabulously
innocent and it was enormous, enormous! I watched him covertly, just as though I
had suspected him of an intention to take a jolly good rise out of me. He was
confident that, on the square, on the square, mind! there was nothing he
couldn't meet. Ever since he had been so high - quite a little chap, he had been
preparing himself for all the difficulties that can beset one on land and water.
He confessed proudly to this kind of foresight. He had been elaborating dangers
and defences, expecting the worst, rehearsing his best. He must have led a most
exalted existence. Can you fancy it? A succession of adventures, so much glory,
such a victorious progress! and the deep sense of his sagacity crowning every
day of his inner life. He forgot himself; his eyes shone; and with every word my
