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Back and forward they dashed till late afternoon, driving ringed spikes into the deals, running light ropes through the rings, and, when a good string had thus been made, going ashore to haul in. At that hauling Delima and Memere, even little André and Odillon gave a hand.
"Yes, Memere," replied the boy, who was called little Baptiste to distinguish him from his father. But if I did not bait the hooks, what then? Well, I hope there will be more to-morrow than this morning, anyway." "There were enough," said the old woman, severely. "Have we not had plenty all day, Delima?" Delima made no answer. She was in doubt about the plenty which her mother-in-law spoke of.
Oh, poor Delima! poor children! and poor little Baptiste, with the threats of Conolly rending his heart! "I have walked all day," said the father, "and eaten not a thing. Give me something, Delima." "O holy angels!" cried the poor woman, breaking into a wild weeping. "O Baptiste, Baptiste, my poor man!
There is nothing; not a scrap; not any flour, not meal, not grease even; not a pinch of tea!" but still she searched frantically about the rooms. "Never mind," said big Baptiste then, holding her in his strong arms. "I am not so hungry as tired, Delima, and I can sleep."
"That is true; for so I have heard always," answered Delima, with conviction; "but sometimes le bon Dieu requires one's inside to pray very loud. Certainly I trust, like you, Memere; but it would be pleasant if He would send the food the day before." "Ah, you are too anxious, like little Baptiste here," and the old woman glanced at the boy sitting by the cradle.
"Big sturgeon?" cried the shantyman, jumping into his trousers. "Oh, but we shall have a good fish breakfast!" cried Delima. "Did I not say the blessed le bon Dieu would send plenty fish?" observed Memere. "Not a fish!" cried little Baptiste, with recovered breath. "But look! look!" and he flung open the door. The eddy was now white with planks. "Ten cents for each!" cried the boy.
"The foreman told me." "Ten cents!" shouted his father. "Baptême! it's my winter's wages!" And the old grandmother! And Delima? Why, they just put their arms round each other and cried for joy. "And yet there's no breakfast," said Delima, starting up. "And they will work hard, hard." At that instant who should reach the door but Monsieur Conolly!
If that were the reason of his father's delay now, ah, then there would be no hope, unless le bon Dieu should indeed work a miracle for them! While the boy thought over the situation with fear, his grandmother went to her bed, and soon afterward Delima took the little Seraphine's cradle into the sleeping-room.
"Baptiste! my own Baptiste!" cried Delima, putting her arms around her husband as he stood over her. "Did I not say," said the old woman, seizing her son's hand, "that the good God would send help in time?" Little Baptiste lit the lamp. Then they saw something in the father's face that startled them all. He had not spoken, and now they perceived that he was haggard, pale, wild-eyed.
And it is hard, hard to lose thy long winter's work; but be patient, my son, and thankful, yes, thankful for all thou hast." "Behold, Delima is well and strong. See the little Baptiste, how much a man! Yes, that is right; kiss the little André and Odillon; and see! how sweetly 'Toinette sleeps! All strong and well, son Baptiste! Were one gone, think what thou wouldst have lost!
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