Evening star., 1939-07-02

stirred in her little chair Presently she sighed
resignedly Then she said to Papa Renard:
That old boat of yours, it is two years on the
beach now"
But, yes
1T is worth nothing
1T might be. if one wished to buy, Papa
Renard demurred. Then these two friends
began to bargain quietly together
Pierre found Regina at home and the two
young people walked down to the beach. Papa
Renard's old boat was there, and Pierre and
Regina stood beside it for long time in quiet,
happy talk They watched the moon rise, and
their voices were lower and lower, and Pierre
was on the verge of saying many things he
had long dreamed when suddenly here was
Papa Renard back from the village. He came
down to the beach and began with some
ostentation to inspect his old boat, humping
its planking, picking at fakes of paint in an
appraising way Pierre and Regina watched
him; Pierre said:
THAT boat is finished, Papa Renard. If it
lies another winter on the beach, it will open
out like flower blooming''
Papa Renard assented calmly: 1T is true"
He kicked the boat casually This boat. l
shall give it away" He seemed to consider;
then he waved his hand in large, generous
gesture. Behold, Pierre!" he said. This fine
boat, it is yours!'
Pierre stood still in sharp surprise. and
Regina close beside him felt him tremble. She
stared at her father in astonishment. Papa
Renard was thrifty shrewd sagacious man;
and that he should give anything away was
major mystery. That he should give his boat
to Pierre, who never went on the water. was
even more astonishing.
She could feel Pierre shaken and unsure be-
side her. She heard him wet his lips in the
darkness, and she loved him suddenly and
fercely Why should a man not fear the
water? Every man was afraid of something;
of snakes, or cows, or lightning, or of being
laughed at! Well, Pierre was afraid of the
water; that was all!
But Pierre beside her moved and laid his
hand on the boat. 1t was sharp-sterned,
thirty-odd feet long, with doubtful two
cycle motor. Pierre put his hand on its stern
and said slowly: Thank you, Papa Renard;
but must ask Mama
Regina looked up at him, and her eyes
began to shine She caught his arm. "Cor1e,
Pierre" she cried. 1--WE will 60 ask her. Per-
haps you will like it, Pierre"
He did not answer her for moment; but
then he spoke honestly: mo. Only to think
of going in boat on the water is for me to be
cold all over, and to perspire.'
But then - don't, Pierre!' she said, low
ing him. why do you?"
Because do not like to be afraid
Every man has his own fear. But do not
know any other man brave enough to say:
Yes, it is true. am afraid!
When they came to his home together, he
stated the case Mama Sullivan waited to
still the trembling of her lips before she asked:
do you want the boat, Pierre:''
81 can make it very safe, Mama' Pierre
spoke almost pleadingly. Il can be careful.
Mama Sullivan's eyes closed for moment,
and Regina was mysteriously sure that she
was Drawing. Then the old woman said
Pierre when you were boy, if | said,
DO thus, do 50, you obeyed me. But you are
no longer child. This matter of the boat it
is yours to decide
Then will take it" Pierre said, and sud-
denly he kissed his mother with sort of
rapture. ALSO, will be most careful, Mama!