“Aw, then,” answered Joan, “a good thing. Women have to miss a man before they know they love him. Give Denas time to miss you, Tris, and when the boat is home be a bit careless like. If she do wonder and worry a little––a good thing for her. Women they be made up of contraries, but sweet as blossoms and as good as gold for all that, Tris.”
On the twenty-fourth all was ready to bring home the boat. The boat had been sold to Denas Tresham, the money paid, and the deed of transfer to John Penelles ready made out. There had also been prepared a paper for the St. Penfer News, which was to appear that day, and which Lawyer Tremaine said would supply a ten-days’ holiday gossip for the citizens. And no day specially made for so happy an event could have been lovelier. 320 The sea was dimpling all over in the sunshine; there was just the right wind, and just enough of it, to let Tris reach harbour in the afternoon. John wondered at the air of excitement in his cottage. Joan was singing, Denas had her best dress on, and both had been busy making clotted cream, and junket, and pies of all kinds.
In fact, John was a little depressed by this extravagance of light hearts. He did not think the money Denas got from her school warranted it, and he was heart-sick with the terrible fear that the busy season was at hand and that he had found nothing to do. Adam Oliver’s two nephews from Cardiff had come to help him, and that shut one place; and neither Trenager nor Penlow had said a word to him, and his brave old soul sank within him.
“And what be in the wind with you women I know nothing of,” he said fretfully, “but you do have some unlikely old ways.”
“What way be the wind, John, dear?”
“A little nor’ard, what there be of it––only a capful, though.”
“Aw, then, John, look to the nor’ard, for good luck do come the way the wind blows.”
“Good luck do come the way God sends it, Joan.”
“And many a time and oft it do be coming and us not thinking of it.”
John nodded gravely. There was little hope in his heart, but he went as usual to the pier and stood there watching the boats. Most of them were now ready for the fishing. When the men on the lookout saw the shadow of a dark cloud coming on 321 and on over the sea, when they waved the signal-bush right and left over their heads and sweeping their feet, then they would out of harbour and shoot the seine. John was very anxious. His lips were moving, though he was silent. His body was mindful of the situation, his soul was praying.