Darkness at Noon - Arthur Koestler [28]
thought of the black flotilla which was approaching their harbour. Only Little Loewy and the writer with the twisted face exchanged a quick glance. Rubashov noticed it. He finished a shade more drily, without warmth in his voice: "That is really all I had to tell you as far as principle is concerned. You are expected to carry out the decisions of the C.C. and to explain the ins and outs of the matter to the politically less developed comrades, if any of them should have any doubts. For the moment I have no more to say." There was silence for a minute. Rubashov took his pince-nez off and lit a cigarette. Little Loewy said in a casual tone of voice: We thank the speaker. Does anybody wish to ask any questions?" Nobody did. After a while one of the three dock workers said awkwardly: "There is not much to be said to it. The comrades Over There must know what they are about. We, of course, must continue to work for the boycott. You can trust us. In our port nothing will get through for the swine." His two colleagues nodded. Wrestler Paul confirmed: "Not here," made a bellicose grimace and waggled his ears for fun. For a moment Rubashov believed he was faced by an oppositional faction; he only realized gradually that the others had really not grasped the point. He looked at Little Loewy, in the hope that he would clear up the misunderstanding. But Little Loewy held his eyes lowered and was silent. Suddenly the writer said with a nervous twitch: "Couldn't you choose another harbour this time for your little transactions? Must it always be us?" The dockers looked at him in surprise; they did not understand what he meant by "transaction"; the idea of the small black fleet which was approaching their coast through mist and smoke was further than ever from their minds. But Rubashov had expected this question: "It is both politically and geographically advisable," he said. "The goods will be conveyed from there by land. We have, of course, no reason to keep anything secret: still, it is more prudent to avoid a sensation which the reactionary Press might exploit." The writer again exchanged a glance with Little Loewy. The dock-hands looked at Rubashov uncomprehendingly; one could see them working it out slowly in their heads. Suddenly Paul said in a changed, hoarse voice: "What, actually, are you talking about?" They all looked at him. His neck was red, and he was looking at Rubashov with bulging eyes. Little Loewy said with restraint: "Have you only just noticed?" Rubashov looked from one to the other, and then said quietly: "I omitted to tell you the details. The five cargo boats of the Commissariat for Foreign Trade are expected to arrive tomorrow morning, weather permitting." Even now it took several minutes before they had all understood. Nobody said a word. They all looked at Rubashov. Then Paul stood up slowly, flung his cap to the ground, and left the room. Two of his colleagues turned their heads after him. Nobody spoke. Then Little Loewy cleared his throat and said: "The Comrade speaker has just explained to us the reasons for this business: if they do not deliver the supplies, others will. Who else wishes to speak?" The docker who had already spoken shifted on his chair and said: "We know that tune. In a strike there are always people who say: if I don't do the work, someone else will take it. We've heard enough of that. That's how blacklegs talk." Again there was a pause. One heard outside the front door being slammed by Paul. Then Rubashov said: "Comrades, the interests of our industrial development Over There come before everything else. Sentimentality does not get us any further. Think that over." The docker shoved his chin forward and said: "We have already thought it over. We've heard enough of it. You Over There must give the example. The whole world looks to you for it. You talk of solidarity and sacrifice and discipline, and at the same time you use your fleet for plain blacklegging." At that little Loewy lifted his head suddenly; he was pale; he saluted Rubashov with his pipe and said low and very quickly: "What