She stayed three days with him, three happy days, though over themhung a dark and ominous forecast; one might as well call them threedays of respite.

　　At last she was forced to return to Ploubazlanec, for she had come tothe end of her little savings, and Sylvestre was to embark the dayafterward. The sailors are always inexorably kept in barracks the daybefore foreign cruises (a custom that seems rather barbarous at first,but which is a necessary precaution against the "flings" they wouldhave before leaving definitely).

　　Oh that last day! She had done her very best to hatch up some morefunny stories in her head, to tell her boy just at the parting; butshe had remembered nothing--no; only tears had welled up, and at everymoment sobs choked her. Hanging on his arm, she reminded him of athousand things he was not to forget to do, and he also tried hard torepress his tears. They had ended by going into a church to say theirprayers together.

　　It was by the night train that she went. To save a few pence, they hadgone on foot to the station; he carrying her box, and holding her onhis strong arm, upon which she weighed heavily.

　　She was so very, very tired--poor old lady! She had scarcely anystrength left after the exertion of the last three or four days. Hershoulders were bent under her brown shawl, and she had no force tobear herself up; her youngish look was gone, and she felt the weightof her seventy-six years.

　　Oh! how her heart ached at the thought that it was all over, and thatin a few moments she must leave him! Was he really to go out so far,to China, perhaps to slaughter. She still had him there with her,quite close, her poor hands could yet grasp him--and yet he must go;all the strength of her will, all her tears, and all her greatheartrending despair--all! would nothing be of avail to keep him back?

　　With her ticket, and her lunch-basket, and her mittens in her grasp,agitated, she gave him her last blessing and advice, and he answeredher with an obedient "Ay, ay," bending his head tenderly towards herand gazing lovin............