Part 30 (1/2)
”Probably rain,” said the Parisian.
”Or fog,” said the American.
”In Italy,” remarked the tourist, ”Molfetta is the place where there falls the least rain; and Tolmezzo, where there falls the most.”
At noon, according to the usage of the Channel Islands, the bell sounded for dinner. Those dined who desired. Some pa.s.sengers had brought with them provisions, and were eating merrily on the after-deck. Clubin did not eat.
While this eating was going on, the conversations continued.
The Guernsey man, having probably a scent for Bibles, approached the American. The latter said to him:
”You know this sea?”
”Very well; I belong to this part.”
”And I, too,” said one of the St. Malo men.
The native of Guernsey followed with a bow and continued:
”We are fortunately well out at sea now; I should not have liked a fog when we were off the Minquiers.”
The American said to the St. Malo man:
”Islanders are more at home on the sea than the folks of the coast.”
”True; we coast people are only half dipped in salt water.”
”What are the Minquiers?” asked the American.
The St. Malo man replied:
”They are an ugly reef of rocks.”
”There are also the Grelets,” said the Guernsey man.
”Parblus!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the other.
”And the Chouas,” added the Guernsey man.
The inhabitant of St. Malo laughed.
”As for that,” said he, ”there are the Savages also.”
”And the Monks,” observed the Guernsey man.
”And the Duck,” cried the St. Maloite.
”Sir,” remarked the inhabitant of Guernsey, ”you have an answer for everything.”
The tourist interposed with a question: