16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
'Not at all, sir,' replied Stephen, walking off.
His inward voice ran on, 'Is it possible that the
animal has recognized me – that he has some
notion however vague of what we are about –
and that this is in some degree a threat?' Dutourd's
was not an easy face to read. Superficially
it had the open simplicity of an enthusiast,
together with the politeness of his class
and nation; these did not of course exclude
everyday cunning and duplicity, but there was
also something else, a slight insistence in his
look, a certain self-confidence, that might
mean far deeper implications. 'Shall I never
learn to keep my mouth shut?' he muttered,
opening the sick-berth door, and aloud, 'God
and Mary and Patrick be with you,' in answer
to Padeen's greeting. 'Mr Martin, a good
morning to you.'
'How these halcyon days go on and on, the
one following the other with only a perfect