"
"Shall I tell the steward to serve out grog to the men who went with
me?" I asked him.
He stared at me contemptuously, and walked away without answering.
THE SAILOR'S WIFE
From "An Iceland Fisherman," BY PIERRE LOTI
The Icelanders were all returning now. Two ships came in the second
day, four the next, and twelve during the following week. And all
through the country joy returned with them; and there was happiness for
the wives and mothers, and junkets in the taverns where the beautiful
barmaids of Paimpol served out drink to the fishers.
The _Leopoldine_ was among the belated; there were yet another ten
expected. They would not be long now; and allowing a week's delay so
as not to be disappointed, Gaud waited in happy, passionate joy for
Yann, keeping their home bright and tidy for his return. When
everything was in good order there was nothing left for her to do; and
besides, in her impatience, she could think of nothing else but her
husband.
Three more ships appeared; then another five. There were only two
lacking now.
"Come, come," they said to her cheerily, "this year the _Leopoldine_
and the _Marie-Jeanne_ will be the last, to pick up all the brooms
fallen overboard from the other craft.
Pages:
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361