Battle of the Strong — Volume 4 by Gilbert Parker
page 64 of 82 (78%)
page 64 of 82 (78%)
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Several times he turned to look towards the house and up the pathway leading from the hillock to the doorway. Though he waited long he did not seem impatient; patience was part of him, and not the least part. At last he sat down on a boulder between the house and the shore, and scarcely moved, as minute after minute passed, and then an hour and more, and no one came. Presently there was a soft footstep beside him, and he turned. A dog's nose thrust itself into his hand. "Biribi, Biribi!" he said, patting its head with his big hand. "Watching and waiting, eh, old Biribi?" The dog looked into his eyes as if he knew what was said, and would speak--or, indeed, was speaking in his own language. "That's the way of life, Biribi--watching and waiting, and watching--always watching." Suddenly the dog caught its head away from his hand, gave a short joyful bark, and ran slowly up the hillock. "Guida and the child," the man said aloud, moving towards the house-- "Guida and the child!" He saw her and the little one before they saw him. Presently the child said: "See, maman," and pointed. Guida started. A swift flush passed over her face, then she smiled and made a step forward to meet her visitor. "Maitre Ranulph--Ranulph!" she said, holding out her hand. "It's a long time since we met." "A year," he answered simply, "just a year." He looked down at the |
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