She closed her
eyes and slept.
They changed trains at Auray about six in the morning. The young
people took charge of the luggage while Maurice went to make sure that
the portmanteau with his canvas and paints was securely on the right
train. With his mind at rest, he joined them at the little buffet,
where they were having shrimps, pink as roses, fresh eggs, coffee and
the little cakes of the countryside.
"This way for Quiberon," called out the guard. And the train carried
the whole family away to its next stage.
When Esperance breathed the life-giving breath of the sea, when she
could distinguish the green line of ocean beyond the trees, she
clapped her hands with ecstasy. She became a guide for Genevieve,
explaining to her the conformation of Carnac, and recounting with
pretty fancy the legends of the country they were passing through.
At last the train stopped at Quiberon. They stopped at the Hotel de
France to speak to the Proprietress, Mme. Le Dantec, and get a picnic
dinner from her to take with them. The boat, the _Soulacroup,_
was filling the air with its second whistle, so they had to hurry
along. The tide was not yet full, so they had to climb down the slimy
quay, slippery with trodden seaweed, shiny with fish scales. The boat
was taking on board a dozen red hogs that snorted mightily. Several
women with well-laden baskets settled themselves in the fore part of
the vessel, using the baskets as a barricade between themselves and
the pigs.
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