The Call of the Blood

He had not seen Maddalena since Gaspare came to seek him in the Sirens'

Isle. He had scarcely wanted to see her. The days had glided by in the

company of Gaspare, and no moment of them had been heavy or had lagged

upon its way.

But now he heard again the call from the sea.

Hermione was with her friend. Why should not he have his? But he did not

go down the path to the ravine, for he thought of Gaspare. He had tricked

him once, while he slept in the cave, and once Gaspare had tracked him to

the sirens' house. They had spoken of the matter of Maddalena. He knew

Gaspare. If he went off now to see Maddalena the boy would think that the

sending him to the post was a pretext, that he had been deliberately got

out of the way. Such a crime could never be forgiven. Maurice knew enough

about the Sicilian character to be fully aware of that. And what had he

to hide? Nothing. He must wait for Gaspare, and then he could set out for

the sea.

It seemed to him a long time before he saw Tito, the donkey, tripping

among the stones, and heard Gaspare's voice hailing him from below. He

was impatient to be off, and he shouted out: "Presto, Gaspare, presto!"

He saw the boy's arm swing as he tapped Tito behind with his switch, and

the donkey's legs moving in a canter.

"What is it, signorino? Has anything happened?"

"No. But--Gaspare, I'm going down to the sea."

"To bathe?"

"I may bathe. I'm not sure. It depends upon how I go."

"You are going to the Casa delle Sirene?"

Maurice nodded.

"I didn't care to go off while you were away."

"Do you wish me to come with you, signorino?"

The boy's great eyes were searching him, yet he did not feel

uncomfortable, although he wished to stand well with Gaspare. They were

near akin, although different in rank and education. Between their minds

there was a freemasonry of the south.

"Do you want to come?" he said.

"It's as you like, signore."

He was silent for a moment; then he added: "Salvatore might be there now. Do you want him to see you?"

"Why not?"

A project began to form in his mind. If he took Gaspare with him they

might go to the cottage more naturally. Gaspare knew Salvatore and could

introduce him, could say--well, that he wanted sometimes to go out

fishing and would take Salvatore's boat. Salvatore would see a prospect

of money. And he--Maurice--did want to go out fishing. Suddenly he knew

it. His spirits rose and he clapped Gaspare on the back.