"It is not worth while, I tell you."

"Let me see it then, if I am to believe you."

She took his hand, that was not able to prevent her, and unbound the
linen. When she saw the swelling, she shuddered, and gave a cry:
"Jesus Maria!"

"It is a little swollen," he said; "it will be over in four-and-
twenty hours."

She shook her head. "It will certainly be a week before you can go
to sea."

"More likely a day or two; and if not, what matters?"

She had fetched a basin, and began carefully washing out the wound,
which he suffered passively, like a child. She then laid on the
healing leaves, which at once relieved the burning pain, and finally
bound it up with the linen she had brought with her.

When it was done: "I thank you," he said. "And now, if you would do
me one more kindness, forgive the madness that came over me; forget
all I said and did. I cannot tell how it came to pass; certainly it
was not your fault--not yours. And never shall you hear from me
again one word to vex you."

She interrupted him. "It is I who have to beg your pardon. I should
have spoken differently. I might have explained it better, and not