CHAPTER III
ALL BUT TWO
The Icelanders were all returning now. Two ships came in the second
day, four the next, and twelve during the following week. And, all
through the country, joy returned with them, and there was happiness
for the wives and mothers; and junkets in the taverns where the
beautiful barmaids of Paimpol served out drink to the fishers.
The /Leopoldine/ was among the belated; there were yet another ten
expected. They would not be long now, and allowing a week's delay so
as not to be disappointed, Gaud waited in happy, passionate joy for
Yann, keeping their home bright and tidy for his return. When
everything was in good order there was nothing left for her to do, and
besides she could think of nothing else but her husband in her
impatience.
Three more ships appeared; then another five. There were only two
lacking now.
"Come, come," they said to her cheerily, "this year the /Leopoldine/
and the /Marie-Jeanne/ will be the last, to pick up all the brooms
fallen overboard from the other craft."
Gaud laughed also. She was more animated and beautiful than ever, in
her great joy of expectancy.
