|
There is no future for me if I cannot paddle a canoe upthe big rivers any
more.
Perhaps you can paddle, Antoine, but not carry. Certainly, mydear, put it
there with the lambs, before the manger. Again he put out his hand and
touchedher head. But tomorrow I will make you a support, and you will bemore
comfortable.
Indeed, she sent theman incomparable gift. I have taken a vow that
will spoil your plans for me.
Cest tranquille, chez vous, comme toujours,he
said with a faint smile.
The woodsman took the little glass between his thick
fingers andheld it up to the fire-light. Perhaps you can paddle, Antoine, but
not carry. She bore the summers heat as patiently as the winters cold. My pack
had grown lighter, and I wanted to carry his, but he wouldnot have it. He died
while Father Hector was there, and had aChristian burial. Frichette shook his
head and spread his thick fingers apart on hisknees. Mother de Saint-Augustin
meant well, but she made a mistake. He had been Jeannesplayfellow in
childhood.
But why not at least try the simple remedy which was so beneficialin
the case of Père La Chaise?
I boiled pine chips and madeturpentine, but it did
no good. It was three days journey in to the Sault mission, and the goingwas
bad.
You know she keeps her spinning-wheel up in her work-room, over the cell
where she sleeps. But first they would be seated more comfortably, and have a
talk.
Father Hector tasted his wine, inhaling it with adeep breath.
Hereached
out and put his hand lightly on Céciles head. Soattired, he was more
conspicuous than courtiers the most richlyapparelled.
He was a kind Indian and
was glad to giveus what he had. The limbs of the trees are generally bigger on
the southside, for example.
So you and Proulx went into the woods, out fromthe
Sault? Thats not a prayer, Antoine,he says; thats a Latin poem, a very long
one, that I learned atschool. He did not doubt theyoung Bishops piety, but he
very much doubted his judgment. Atlast I turned over and told Father Hector
that was certainly a longprayer he was saying. Certainly, mydear, put it there
with the lambs, before the manger.
|
