"No, I have never been able to marry."

"That cannot be true."

"Why not?"

With lowered eyes she sat awhile in thought.

"Because, if so, how do you come to know so much about women's
affairs?"

This time I DID lie, for I replied:

"Because they have been my study. In fact, I am a medical
student."

"Ah! Our priest's son also was a student, but a student for the
Church."

"Very well. Then you know what I am. Now I will go and fetch
some water."

Upon this she inclined her head towards her little son and
listened for a moment to his breathing. Then she said with a
glance towards the sea:

"I too should like to have a wash, but I do not know what the
water is like. What is it? Brackish or salt?"

"No; quite good water--fit for you to wash in."