i6o THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



be guessed when he saw the boat salute by lowering 

 its flag. 



" It must be some decent people very polite folk," 

 cried the good man. " I don't know them, but it's 

 all the same ; I shall go and have a look at their boat 

 and tell them what an old sailor thinks about them." 



"This boat is for you," said the doctor. "It is my 

 wedding-present. You will be able to go about with 

 it, take friends for excursions, go and see your 

 children, make your shepherd's round according to 

 your own desire. How do you like the rigging ?" 



The sailor was standing open-mouthed and quite 

 dumb-founded stupefied, in fact, by such a piece of 

 good fortune, which it would never have occurred to 

 him even to hope for. 



" Is it true is it really true, what you are telling 

 me? You are not joking? It is really for me, this fine 

 boat, and all its rigging and tools ? Well, well, and 

 I accept it on two conditions. One is, that Mr. Leon 

 shall be its godfather, and that we make the first 

 voyage together. And if you ever want to make a 

 journey to Caen, to Courseuilles, to Etretat, or any- 

 where else, say the word, give only a sign, and old 

 Lucas will take the tiller for you." 



And then, to emphasize the sincerity of his words, 

 he seized the doctor's hands with his own. The fiDgers 

 of the scholar almost cracked beneath his hearty grasp, 

 but he made no sign of complaint. 



