第10章 The Old Mans Return[第3页/共7页]

“I didn't either,”her male companion said.

Many fishermen were around the skiff looking at what was lashed beside it and one was in the water,his trousers rolled up,measuring the skeleton with a length of line.

“I'll bring the food and the papers,”the boy said.“Rest well,old man.I will bring stuff from the drugstore for your hands.”

“Sleeping,”the boy called.He did not care that they saw him crying.“ Let no one disturb him.”

He tried to get up.But it was too difficult and he sat there with the mast on his shoulder and looked at the road.A cat passed on the far side going about its business and the old man watched it.Then he just watched the road.

“You keep it if you want it.”

“No,”the boy said.“Tell them not to bother Santiago. I'll be back.”

He could feel he was inside the current now and he could see the lights of the beach colonies along the shore.He knew where he was now and it was nothing to get home.