第10章 The Old Mans Return[第4頁/共8頁]

“Very good.”

“And the spear?”

“Hot and with plenty of milk and sugar in it.”

“Don't sit up.”the boy said.“Drink this.”He poured some of the coffee in a glass.

“Thanks,”the boy said.

The old man took it and drank it.

“Damn my fish,”the boy said and he started to cry again.

“Plenty,”the old man said.

He tried to get up.But it was too difficult and he sat there with the mast on his shoulder and looked at the road.A cat passed on the far side going about its business and the old man watched it.Then he just watched the road.

“Let Pedrico chop it up to use in fish traps.”

“Maybe three.Maybe more.”

“I will have everything in order,”the boy said.“ You get your hands well old man.”

“Anything more?”

“What will your family say?”

“What's that?”she asked a waiter and pointed to the long backbone of the great fish that was now just garbage waiting to go out with the tide.

“Pedrico is looking after the skiff and the gear.What do you want done with the head?”