First the man indulged in luxuries. He poured out a large tub
of fresh water and washed himself; he even cleaned his nails and
teeth--hyberbolic refinements that made the baser sort laugh at him behind
his back.
At the meal which followed his toilet Tregenza talked to his wife and
daughter upon various subjects. He spoke slowly and from the lungs with the
deep echoing voice of one used to vocal exercise in the open air.
"I seed the 'Anna' yesterday, Joan," he said, "a proud ship, full-rigged
wi' butivul lines. Her passed wi'in three mile of us or less off the
islands."
Joan did not hint at her visit to Gorse Point of the previous day, but her
stepmother mentioned it, and her father felt called upon to reprimand his
daughter, though not very seriously.
"'Twas a empty, vain thing to do," he said.
"I promised Joe, faither."
"Why, then you was right to go, though a fulish thing to promise en.
Wheer's Tom to?"
Tom came down a minute later. The swelling of his lips was lessened, but
his ear had not returned to a normal size and his eye was black.
"Fighting again?" Michael began, looking up from his saucer and fixing his
eyes on his son.
"Please, faither, I--"
"Doan't say naught. You'm so fond of it that I judges you'd best begin
fightin' the battle o' life right on end. 'Tain't no use keepin' you to
schule no more. 'Tis time you comed aboard."
Tom crowed with satisfaction, and Mrs.
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